Las reacciones adversas a fármacos son la primera causa de eritrodermia. Estudio retrospectivo de 70 pacientes en un hospital universitario de Argentina / Adverse Drug Reactions Are the Main Causes of Erythroderma in an Argentinian Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study of 70 Patients

Antecedentes La eritrodermia es un cuadro caracterizado por un eritema y descamación que compromete al menos el 90% de la superficie corporal. Su etiología puede ser variable. La mayor parte de sus características clínicas y alteraciones del laboratorio son inespecíficas, lo que hace que el diagnóstico sea un desafío. Materiales y métodos Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 2010 y el 1 de junio de 2020. Se revisaron los antecedentes, las características clínicas, los hallazgos de laboratorio e histopatológicos, así como la evolución de todos los pacientes con una eritrodermia hospitalizados en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, con un seguimiento mínimo de 6 meses. Resultados Se incluyeron 70 pacientes. La edad media de aparición fue de 63 años con una relación hombre:mujer de 1,2:1. La principal causa de eritrodermia fueron las reacciones adversas a fármacos (48%), siendo la vancomicina el principal medicamento involucrado (30%), mientras que la segunda causa fueron las dermatosis preexistentes, dentro de las cuales la psoriasis fue la más común (42%). En el 40% de los pacientes se observó una adecuada correlación clínico-patológica con la primera biopsia, mientras que el rédito diagnóstico aumentó a un 76% con la segunda. El número máximo de biopsias requerido para efectuar el diagnóstico etiológico fue de 8 (2 pacientes). La evolución fue favorable en el 92% de los casos. Conclusión Las reacciones adversas a fármacos fueron la primera causa de eritrodermia y la vancomicina el fármaco responsable más frecuente. No se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre las variables estudiadas, ni se identificaron predictores de una determinada etiología, marcadores de mala evolución o factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad (AU)

Background Erythroderma, characterized by erythema and scaling that affects at least 90% of the body, has diverse causes. Most of the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings are nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging. Material and methods Retrospective study of patients treated between January 1, 2010, and June 1, 2020. We reviewed the records to identify all patients with erythroderma who were hospitalized in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires and followed for at least 6 months. We extracted information on clinical histories, the characteristics of the episodes, laboratory and histopathologic findings, and clinical course. Results Seventy patients were studied. The mean age at onset was 63 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1.2:1. Adverse drug reactions caused the largest proportion of the rashes (48%), and vancomycin was the most common culprit (involved in 30% of the cases). The next most frequent cause was a preexisting skin disease, psoriasis being the most common (in 42%). The clinicopathologic correlation was adequate for diagnosis after the first biopsy in 40% of patients, but the diagnostic yield increased to 76% with the second biopsy. The largest number of biopsies required was 8, in 2 patients. The outcome was favorable in 92% of the cases. Conclusion Adverse reactions to medications accounted for the largest proportion of erythroderma cases in this series, and vancomycin was the main culprit. We found no statistically significant associations among the variables studied. Nor did we identify potential predictors of causes, poor outcomes, or mortality (AU)

[Translated article] Adverse Drug Reactions Are the Main Causes of Erythroderma in an Argentinian Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study of 70 Patients / Las reacciones adversas a fármacos son la primera causa de eritrodermia. Estudio retrospectivo de 70 pacientes en un hospital universitario de Argentina

Background Erythroderma, characterized by erythema and scaling that affects at least 90% of the body, has diverse causes. Most of the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings are nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging. Material and methods Retrospective study of patients treated between January 1, 2010, and June 1, 2020. We reviewed the records to identify all patients with erythroderma who were hospitalized in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires and followed for at least 6 months. We extracted information on clinical histories, the characteristics of the episodes, laboratory and histopathologic findings, and clinical course. Results Seventy patients were studied. The mean age at onset was 63 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1.2:1. Adverse drug reactions caused the largest proportion of the rashes (48%), and vancomycin was the most common culprit (involved in 30% of the cases). The next most frequent cause was a preexisting skin disease, psoriasis being the most common (in 42%). The clinicopathologic correlation was adequate for diagnosis after the first biopsy in 40% of patients, but the diagnostic yield increased to 76% with the second biopsy. The largest number of biopsies required was 8, in 2 patients. The outcome was favorable in 92% of the cases. Conclusion Adverse reactions to medications accounted for the largest proportion of erythroderma cases in this series, and vancomycin was the main culprit. We found no statistically significant associations among the variables studied. Nor did we identify potential predictors of causes, poor outcomes, or mortality (AU)

Antecedentes La eritrodermia es un cuadro caracterizado por un eritema y descamación que compromete al menos el 90% de la superficie corporal. Su etiología puede ser variable. La mayor parte de sus características clínicas y alteraciones del laboratorio son inespecíficas, lo que hace que el diagnóstico sea un desafío. Materiales y métodos Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo en el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 2010 y el 1 de junio de 2020. Se revisaron los antecedentes, las características clínicas, los hallazgos de laboratorio e histopatológicos, así como la evolución de todos los pacientes con una eritrodermia hospitalizados en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, con un seguimiento mínimo de 6 meses. Resultados Se incluyeron 70 pacientes. La edad media de aparición fue de 63 años con una relación hombre:mujer de 1,2:1. La principal causa de eritrodermia fueron las reacciones adversas a fármacos (48%), siendo la vancomicina el principal medicamento involucrado (30%), mientras que la segunda causa fueron las dermatosis preexistentes, dentro de las cuales la psoriasis fue la más común (42%). En el 40% de los pacientes se observó una adecuada correlación clínico-patológica con la primera biopsia, mientras que el rédito diagnóstico aumentó a un 76% con la segunda. El número máximo de biopsias requerido para efectuar el diagnóstico etiológico fue de 8 (2 pacientes). La evolución fue favorable en el 92% de los casos. Conclusión Las reacciones adversas a fármacos fueron la primera causa de eritrodermia y la vancomicina el fármaco responsable más frecuente. No se encontraron asociaciones estadísticamente significativas entre las variables estudiadas, ni se identificaron predictores de una determinada etiología, marcadores de mala evolución o factores de riesgo asociados a mortalidad (AU)

Adverse Drug Reactions Are the Main Causes of Erythroderma in an Argentinian Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study of 70 Patients. / Las reacciones adversas a fármacos son la primera causa de eritrodermia. Estudio retrospectivo de 70 pacientes en un hospital universitario de Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Erythroderma, characterized by erythema and scaling that affects at least 90% of the body, has diverse causes. Most of the clinical manifestations and laboratory findings are nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients treated between January 1, 2010, and June 1, 2020. We reviewed the records to identify all patients with erythroderma who were hospitalized in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires and followed for at least 6 months. We extracted information on clinical histories, the characteristics of the episodes, laboratory and histopathologic findings, and clinical course. RESULTS: Seventy patients were studied. The mean age at onset was 63 years, and the ratio of men to women was 1.2:1. Adverse drug reactions caused the largest proportion of the rashes (48%), and vancomycin was the most common culprit (involved in 30% of the cases). The next most frequent cause was a preexisting skin disease, psoriasis being the most common (in 42%). The clinicopathologic correlation was adequate for diagnosis after the first biopsy in 40% of patients, but the diagnostic yield increased to 76% with the second biopsy. The largest number of biopsies required was 8, in 2 patients. The outcome was favorable in 92% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Adverse reactions to medications accounted for the largest proportion of erythroderma cases in this series, and vancomycin was the main culprit. We found no statistically significant associations among the variables studied. Nor did we identify potential predictors of causes, poor outcomes, or mortality.

Fotoféresis extracorpórea en enfermedad injerto contra huésped en una población pediátrica / Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Pediatric Graft-vs-Host Disease

Antecedentes La fotoféresis extracorpórea (FEC) es una terapia inmunomoduladora indicada para la enfermedad injerto contra huésped (EICH) en adultos y niños, no obstante, existen pocos estudios en esta última población. Objetivo Describir las características demográficas, la respuesta clínica, los efectos adversos y la evolución de los pacientes pediátricos con EICH aguda (EICH-a) y EICH crónica (EICH-c) tratados con FEC. Materiales y métodos Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con EICH-a y EICH-c sometidos a tratamiento con FEC entre enero de 2012 y diciembre de 2018 en el Servicio de Dermatología del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Se utilizó el sistema UVAR-XTS™ en 2 pacientes y el CELLEX™ en el resto, con 2 sesiones por semana y reevaluación al mes en EICH-a, 2 sesiones cada 2 semanas con reevaluación a los 3 meses en EICH-c, y en ambos finalización según respuesta. Resultados Evaluamos 9 pacientes pediátricos con EICH refractaria, dependiente y/o resistente a corticoides sistémicos tratados con FEC. Siete pacientes fueron respondedores y 2 no respondedores. La piel presentó respuesta completa (RC) en 1/9 y respuesta parcial en 7/9 pacientes, el hígado, el sistema gastrointestinal y las mucosas presentaron RC en 3/5, 1/2 y 4/5 pacientes, respectivamente. Dos pacientes fallecieron durante el periodo estudiado. Conclusión La FEC es una buena opción terapéutica para los pacientes pediátricos con EICH aguda y crónica (AU)

Background Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory therapy used to treat graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in adults and children. Few studies have examined its use in children. Objective To describe demographic characteristics, clinical response, adverse effects, and outcomes in a series of pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD treated with ECP. Material and methods We included all pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD treated with ECP by the Dermatology Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between January 2012 and December 2018. We used the UVAR-XTS™ system (2 patients) and the CELLEX system (7 patients). Patients with acute GVHD received 2 sessions a week and were reassessed at 1 month, while those with chronic GVHD received 2 sessions every 2 weeks and were reassessed at 3 months. Treatment duration in both scenarios varied according to response. Results We evaluated 9 pediatric patients with corticosteroid-refractory, -dependent, and/or -resistant GVHD treated with ECP. Seven responded to treatment and 2 did not. Response was complete in 1 of the 9 patients with skin involvement and partial in 7. Complete response rates for the other sites of involvement were 60% (3/5) for the liver, 50% (1/2) for the gastrointestinal system, and 80% (4/5) for mucous membranes. Two patients died during the study period. Conclusion ECP is a good treatment option for pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD (AU)

Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Pediatric Graft-vs-Host Disease.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory therapy used to treat graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in adults and children. Few studies have examined its use in children. OBJECTIVE: To describe demographic characteristics, clinical response, adverse effects, and outcomes in a series of pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD treated with ECP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD treated with ECP by the dermatology department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between January 2012 and December 2018. We used the UVAR-XTS™ system (2 patients) and the CELLEX system (7 patients). Patients with acute GVHD received 2 sessions a week and were reassessed at 1 month, while those with chronic GVHD received 2 sessions every 2 weeks and were reassessed at 3 months. Treatment duration in both scenarios varied according to response. RESULTS: We evaluated 9 pediatric patients with corticosteroid-refractory, -dependent, and/or -resistant GVHD treated with ECP. Seven responded to treatment and 2 did not. Response was complete in 1 of the 9 patients with skin involvement and partial in 7. Complete response rates for the other sites of involvement were 60% (3/5) for the liver, 50% (1/2) for the gastrointestinal system, and 80% (4/5) for mucous membranes. Two patients died during the study period. CONCLUSION: ECP is a good treatment option for pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD.

La dermatoscopia como herramienta para inferir el Breslow del melanoma / Dermoscopy as a Tool for Estimating Breslow Thickness in Melanoma

Antecedentes y objetivo: La incidencia del melanoma se ha incrementado significativamente y la forma más efectiva para disminuir su mortalidad es el diagnóstico precoz. La dermatoscopia aumenta la sensibilidad en el diagnóstico del melanoma, y por medio del análisis de las estructuras dermatoscópicas es posible estimar su grosor. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la influencia del Breslow en las características dermatoscópicas del melanoma. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional de corte transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes con melanoma confirmado histológicamente y una imagen dermatoscópica del mismo. Se dividieron en tres grupos, melanoma in situ, melanoma fino (< 1 mm de Breslow) y melanoma grueso (≥ 1 mm de Breslow), y se analizaron el sexo, la edad, la localización, las características histológicas y las características dermatoscópicas. Resultados: Se analizaron 215 pacientes, 88 con melanoma in situ, 73 con melanoma fino y 54 con melanoma grueso. Las estructuras dermatoscópicas que incrementaron su frecuencia a medida que aumentó el Breslow del melanoma fueron el velo azul blanquecino (p < 0,001), las estructuras blanco brillantes (p < 0,001) y las áreas rojo lechosas (p < 0,003). Por otro lado, las líneas anguladas disminuyeron su frecuencia a medida que se incrementó el Breslow (p < 0,002). Conclusiones: La evaluación dermatoscópica tiene un importante rol, no solo en la precisión diagnóstica de las lesiones pigmentadas, sino también en ayudarnos a estimar el grosor preoperatorio del melanoma (AU)

Background and objective: The incidence of melanoma has increased significantly, and early diagnosis is the most effective way to reduce associated deaths. Dermoscopy increases diagnostic accuracy in melanoma and analysis of dermoscopic structures can help in the estimation of tumor thickness. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of Breslow thickness on the dermoscopic characteristics of melanoma. Material and methods: Observational, cross-sectional study of patients with histologically confirmed melanoma and dermoscopic images of the tumor. The patients were divided into three groups: melanoma in situ, thin melanoma (≥ 1 mm Breslow thickness), and thick melanoma (≥ 1 mm Breslow thickness). Age, sex, tumor location, and histologic and dermoscopic characteristics were analyzed in all cases. Results: We studied 215 patients: 88 with melanoma in situ, 73 with thin melanoma, and 54 with thick melanoma. The frequency of the following dermoscopic features increased with increasing Breslow thickness: the blue-white veil (p < 0.001), white shiny structures (p < 0.001), and milky-red areas (p < 0.003). Angulated lines, by contrast, became less common with increasing thickness (p < 0.002). Conclusions: Dermoscopy not only improves diagnostic accuracy for pigmented lesions but also helps in the preoperative assessment of Breslow thickness in melanoma (AU)

Extracorporeal Photopheresis in Pediatric Graft-vs-Host Disease. / Fotoféresis extracorpórea en enfermedad injerto contra huésped en una población pediátrica.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an immunomodulatory therapy used to treat graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) in adults and children. Few studies have examined its use in children. OBJECTIVE: To describe demographic characteristics, clinical response, adverse effects, and outcomes in a series of pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD treated with ECP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included all pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD treated with ECP by the Dermatology Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between January 2012 and December 2018. We used the UVAR-XTS™ system (2 patients) and the CELLEX system (7 patients). Patients with acute GVHD received 2 sessions a week and were reassessed at 1 month, while those with chronic GVHD received 2 sessions every 2 weeks and were reassessed at 3 months. Treatment duration in both scenarios varied according to response. RESULTS: We evaluated 9 pediatric patients with corticosteroid-refractory, -dependent, and/or -resistant GVHD treated with ECP. Seven responded to treatment and 2 did not. Response was complete in 1 of the 9 patients with skin involvement and partial in 7. Complete response rates for the other sites of involvement were 60% (3/5) for the liver, 50% (1/2) for the gastrointestinal system, and 80% (4/5) for mucous membranes. Two patients died during the study period. CONCLUSION: ECP is a good treatment option for pediatric patients with acute or chronic GVHD.

Dermoscopy as a Tool for Estimating Breslow Thickness in Melanoma. / La dermatoscopia como herramienta para inferir el Breslow del melanoma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The incidence of melanoma has increased significantly, and early diagnosis is the most effective way to reduce associated deaths. Dermoscopy increases diagnostic accuracy in melanoma and analysis of dermoscopic structures can help in the estimation of tumor thickness. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of Breslow thickness on the dermoscopic characteristics of melanoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study of patients with histologically confirmed melanoma and dermoscopic images of the tumor. The patients were divided into three groups: melanoma in situ, thin melanoma (≥ 1 mm Breslow thickness), and thick melanoma (≥ 1 mm Breslow thickness). Age, sex, tumor location, and histologic and dermoscopic characteristics were analyzed in all cases. RESULTS: We studied 215 patients: 88 with melanoma in situ, 73 with thin melanoma, and 54 with thick melanoma. The frequency of the following dermoscopic features increased with increasing Breslow thickness: the blue-white veil (p < 0.001), white shiny structures (p < 0.001), and milky-red areas (p < 0.003). Angulated lines, by contrast, became less common with increasing thickness (p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy not only improves diagnostic accuracy for pigmented lesions but also helps in the preoperative assessment of Breslow thickness in melanoma.

Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Clinical Features, Treatments, and Outcomes. / Pénfigo vulgar: estudio de cohorte retrospectivo de sus características clínicas, tratamientos empleados y evolución.

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an uncommon, serious disease that is treated with systemic corticosteroids and corticosteroid-sparing agents. OBJECTIVES: To describe and analyze the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with PV. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with PV over a period of 12years. RESULTS: PV presented with mucosal lesions in 20 of the 32 patients studied (63%); the most common site was the oral mucosa followed by the vulva. Mucosal involvement was more common in women (P=.03). Lesions were found at more than 1 mucosal site in patients whose disease began in the mucosa, independently of age or sex (P=.003). Disease onset before the age of 40years was associated with generalized skin lesions (P=.003), a need for corticosteroid-sparing therapy (P=.05), and refractory PV (P=.02). Azathioprine was the most widely prescribed corticosteroid-sparing agent (in 22 patients). Eight patients (25%) were dependent on corticosteroids and disease recurred in 26 (81%). Complete remission, with or without treatment, was achieved in 15 patients (47%). Patients remained disease-free for a median of 14months, and 2 patients died (6%). CONCLUSION: Onset before the age of 40 years could be a sign of poor prognosis in patients with PV, as it was significantly associated with a higher risk of generalized skin involvement, a need for corticosteroid-sparing therapy, and refractory disease.

Cutaneous Metastases From Breast Cancer: An 8-Year Review of Cases at a Tertiary Care Hospital. / Metástasis cutáneas de cáncer de mama: 8 años de revisión en un centro de tercera complejidad.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cutaneous metastases. In our review of the literature, we found no studies that have investigated the prevalence of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer in Latin America or compared survival in relation to the site of cutaneous involvement or the presence of visceral metastases. The aims of this study were to characterize the prevalence and clinical features of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer and analyze survival in relation to site of involvement and the concomitant presence of visceral metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. We evaluated patients with breast cancer and histologically confirmed cutaneous metastases. RESULTS: Data from 914 patients with breast cancer seen between 2007 and 2014 were analyzed. Thirty-one of the patients, all women, had cutaneous metastases (prevalence, 3.4%; 95% CI, 2.3%-4.7%). The most common form of metástasis was nodular, metachronous, and asymptomatic. There were discrepancies between the immunohistochemical findings for the primary tumor and the metastases in 5 of 21 women. The metastases were locorregional in 23 patients and distant in 8. No differences were observed between patients with locorregional and distant metastases for survival after diagnosis of the primary tumor (median of 4.7 vs. 4.8 years; P=.085) or the cutaneous metastases (median of 2.9 vs. 1.1 years, P=.06). Women with a simultaneous diagnosis of cutaneous and visceral metastases had the shortest survival. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in Latin America to estimate the prevalence of cutaneous metastases from breast cancer and we found it to be lower than rates reported for other parts of the world.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Estimated Prevalence, Clinical Features, Concomitant Conditions, and Diagnostic Delay in a University Teaching Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. / Hidradenitis supurativa: una aproximación a su prevalencia, características clínicas, comorbilidades y tiempo al diagnóstico, en un hospital universitario de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic recurrent systemic inflammatory disease that mainly involves large skin folds. It develops when pilosebaceous units become blocked, leading to the formation of painful nodules, abscesses, fistulas, and scarring. The impact of this disease on quality of life is great. OBJECTIVES: To describe the prevalence and clinical features of hidradenitis suppurativa in patients treated at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires and determine the frequency of comorbidities and time to diagnosis in this population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study. Information was extracted from the computerized clinical records of all patients with a diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa managed in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between July 2012 and October 2017. RESULTS: Our initial search of the records yielded 180 cases; the diagnosis was confirmed in 66 cases. Sixty-five percent of the patients were women, and the mean age was 37 years. The prevalence of this diagnosis was 0.02%. The armpits, vulva, and groin were the locations most frequently affected. Smoking, overweight, and obesity were the most commonly recorded concomitant conditions. Male sex and perianal and gluteal locations were associated with severity. Time until diagnosis varied widely, ranging from diagnosis at the first visit in some cases to as long as 142 months and 21 visits. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with the literature on hidradenitis suppurativa. This is the first Argentinian study to describe the prevalence of this disease as well as the concomitant conditions found and the rate of diagnostic error.