Comparison of the efficacy of broad-band targeted UVB phototherapy and topical psoralen with targeted UVA phototherapy in localized vitiligo

Aim of the study is to compare efficacy of targeted broad-band UVB phototherapy and topical psoralen with targeted UVA phototherapy treatments in localized vitiligo for 3 months prospectively. The cases with symmetrical vitiligo lesions were included in the study. Broad-band targeted UVB was applied on one side and targeted UVA phototherapy with topical psoralen on the other side. Twenty-two patients who were diagnosed with localized vitiligo were enrolled in this study. These cases consisted of 6 (27.3%) females and 16 (72.7%) males aging between 17 and 69 (34.22 ± 14.15). Fifty-four lesions (27 left, 27 right) were compared for treatments. After the first month of the treatments, the sides of the lesions were compared in order to evaluate improvement. Percentages of success were 25% for targeted broad-band UVB microphototherapy and 75% for topical psoralen with targeted UVA microphototherapy. When the two treatment methods were com pared with each other, a significant difference was found in terms of treatment response (P = .017). At the end of the third month, the success rates were 37.5% for targeted broad-band UVB microphototherapy and 62.5% for topical psoralen with targeted UVA microphototherapy, however a statistically significant differ ence was not determined between the two treatments (P > .05). Both targeted broad-band UVB phototherapy and topical psoralen with targeted UVA phototherapy provided repigmentation for localized vitiligo at the end of the third month. Our investigation shows that both treatments are safe and they provide repigmentation with a limited response

An Open, Randomized, Controlled, Comparative Study of the Combined Effect of Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide and Onion Extract Gel and Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide Alone in the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids

Various treatment regimens have been used in scars. The literature offers little consensus about appropriate therapy

Internalized Stigma in Pediatric Psoriasis: A Comparative Multicenter Study

Background: Internalized stigma, adoption of negative attitudes and stereotypes of the society regarding persons' illness, has not been studied previously in pediatric psoriasis patients. Objective: We aimed to investigate the internalized stigma in pediatric psoriasis patients and to determine differences according to factors affecting internalized stigma compared to adult psoriasis patients. Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional, comparative study included 125 pediatric (55 female, 70 male; mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 14.59 +/- 2.87 years) and 1,235 adult psoriasis patients (577 female, 658 male; mean age +/- SD, 43.3 +/- 13.7 years). Psoriasis Internalized Stigma Scale (PISS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Perceived Health Status (PHS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 were the scales used in the study. Results: The mean PISS was 58.48 +/- 14.9 in pediatric group. When PISS subscales of groups were compared, the pediatric group had significantly higher stigma resistance (p = 0.01) whereas adult group had higher scores of alienation (p = 0.01) and stereotype endorsement (p = 0.04). There was a strong correlation between mean values of PISS and DLQI (r = 0.423, p = 0.001). High internalized stigma scores had no relation to either the severity or localization of disease in pediatric group. However, poor PHS (p = 0.007) and low-income levels (p = 0.03) in both groups, and body mass index (r = 0.181, p = 0.04) in the pediatric group were related to high PISS scores. Conclusion: Internalized stigma in pediatric patients is as high as adults and is related to poor quality of life, general health, and psychological illnesses. Unlike adults, internalized stigma was mainly determined by psoriasis per se, rather than disease severity or involvement of visible body parts, genitalia or folds