The Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and the Quality of Life in Patients with Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo

Objective:In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and the quality of life in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo.Materials and Methods:The study group includes 60 patients with AA, 44 patients with vitiligo and 61 patients with control group. Sociodemographic and clinical features of study group and vitamin D levels of all participants were recorded. According to the records, it was evaluated as vitamin D deficiency for 25(OH)D level under 20 ng/mL, vitamin D insufficiency for 20-29 ng/mL and normal level for equal to and over 30 ng/mL. Patients were requested to fill out the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire.Results:In our study, the vitamin D level of the patient group was found lower than the control group (p<0.000). Vitamin D levels and DLQI scores were negatively correlated in patients with AA and it was significant (p=0.012). In patients with vitiligo, no significant relationship was found between the DLQI scores and vitamin D levels (p=0.066).Conclusion:Vitamin D deficiency is quite common in patients with AA and vitiligo. The quality of life was impaired in both diseases. Especially in patients with AA, quality of life impairs as vitamin D levels decrease. In patients with AA which detected deficient or insufficient vitamin D, we believe that vitamin D supplementation can improve the quality of life, and thus contribute to the treatment of these patients

An Uncommon Side Effect of Bupropion: A Case of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is a rare inflammatory dermatosis characterized by multiple nonfollicular pustules that occur on erythematous skin. Despite its similarity to pustular psoriasis and association with fever and leukocytosis, AGEP typically heals quickly. Etiologically, drugs and viruses have been suspected in most cases. Here, we present a case of AGEP, in a woman, that developed 1 day after starting bupropion for smoking cessation, as a rare side effect of the treatment

Black hairy tongue: a case series

Introduction:  Black hairy tongue occurs as a result of inability desquamation and hyperthrophy of filiforme papilla on the dorsum of the tongue which also cause as the creation of velvety plaques.Case Presentation:  Four patients with black hairy tongue who were referred to our clinic with different complaints were presented as cases. Discussion: Although the etiopathogenesis of the black hairy louse is not completely known, many predisposing factors have been proposed. Prevention of triggering factors, the regulation of food and water, mechanical cleaning of the language is important in the treatment of black hairy tongue. Medical treatment includes antiseptic solutions, topical tretinoin. Conclusion:  Family physicians should consider that in first-stage smokers patients may rarely develop black hairy language

Evaluating the Difference Between COVID-19-Associated Telogen Effluvium and Telogen Effluvium Due to Other Causes

Introduction: Telogen effluvium (TE) is a common type of non-cicatricial alopecia, and it is reported frequently in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objectives: Herein, we aimed to examine the demographic, dermoscopic, and laboratory features of the patients with SARS-CoV-2 associated TE (CATE) and compare them with TE due to other causes (TEDOC) according to these features. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study we evaluated the patients who were diagnosed with TE and were above 18 years of age between April and June 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on their medical history and SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity. The first group included patients with CATE and positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results in the last 3 months. The second group consisted of patients with TEDOC. Patients' gender, age, disease duration, additional systemic disease, dermoscopic findings, and laboratory results were recorded. Results: A total of 92 patients, 86 (93.5%) female, and 6 (6.5%) male, were included in the study. CATE was detected in 52 (56.5%) patients whereas 40 (44.5%) patients had TEDOC. The mean time between the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hair loss complaint was calculated as 64.8 + 25.6 days, and this time was significantly shorter than patients with TEDOC (p=0.003). The dermoscopic evaluation showed that empty follicular openings and yellow dots were statistically higher in patients with CATE, whereas short regrowing hair were markedly higher in patients with TEDOC. (p=0.001, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively) Conclusions: CATE is characterized by excessive hair-shedding that begins sooner after infection than classic TE. Dermoscopic findings can assist clinicians in diagnosis

Evaluation of cutaneous anthrax cases during an outbreak in the east region of Turkey

Background/aim: Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. We aimed to retrospectively evaluate cutaneous anthrax cases that occurred during an outbreak in eastern Turkey (Hakkari-Y&uuml;ksekova), where people mostly earn their living from animal husbandry. Materials and methods: Forty-six cutaneous anthrax patients that were admitted to the hospital during a very short duration of 3 months (June–August 2011) were evaluated. Results: Out of 46 patients, 27 (52%) were women and 19 (48%) were men. The mean age was 37 &plusmn; 13 years. The distribution of occupations was 1 butcher, 1 cook, 5 farmers, 27 housewives, 11 shepherds, and 1 teacher. Multiple lesions were seen in 7 patients (15%) and the rest of the patients had only 1 lesion. We observed significant clinical differences among the cases and noted which particular symptoms were associated with the various skin lesions. We treated our patients with intramuscular procaine penicillin or oral ciprofloxacin/doxycycline. Conclusion: Anthrax is an important health problem that can cause lethal outbreaks. Therefore, one should think about anthrax when faced with a patient with history of animal contact that has a painless ulcer with edema and/or vesicles, especially in endemic countries like Turkey

A Retrospective Evaluation of Patients with Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis

Aim: To determine the factors in the etiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and to evaluate patients in the terms of RAS associated systemic disorders especially Behçet’s disease. Methods: Patients with RAS, who were followed up in Bartın State Hospital Dermatology Clinic between July 2013 and April 2015, were retrospectively evaluated. Results: A total of 123 patients (86 female, 37 male) were included in this study. Thirteen (106%) patients were children. The mean age of patients was 34.5±14.7 years (range: 8-69 years). Minor aphthous somatitis was the most frequent clinical type (68.3%). Family history was positive in 52.8% of patients. The triggering factors in the etiology of RAS were stress (54.5%), trauma (40.2%), gingivitis (29.3%), food (9.8%), medicines (5.7%), menstruation in female patients (3.3%), and throat infections (2.4%). Nutritional deficiencies were found in 39% of patients. There was a statistically significant difference in attack frequency (p=0.017) and throat infection history (p=0.029) between adults and pediatric patients. Fourteen (11.4%) patients were diagnosed with Behçet’s disease. When we compared the RAS patients diagnosed with Behçet’s disease and the other RAS patients, a significant difference was found in pathergy test (p<0.001) and ferritin levels (p=0.020). Conclusion: Patients with RAS should be followed up for a long time for systemic disorders, especially for Behçet’s disease, accompanying RAS

TNF-α gene -238G&gt;A polymorphism is associated with psoriasis patients.

AbstractBackground:&nbsp;Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a protein that plays a key role in the pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory disorders like psoriasis.Aims:&nbsp;The goal of this study was to see whether the TNF-α gene -238G&gt;A polymorphism was linked to psoriasis susceptibility.Methods:&nbsp;This study comprised 90 psoriasis patients and ninety healthy controls. For the TNF-α gene -238G&gt;A polymorphism, genomic DNA was extracted and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies.Results:&nbsp;Psoriasis patients had higher frequencies of the A allele and the AA genotype than the control group, and psoriasis was linked to the AA genotype (OR = 4.25, 95% CI = 1.37-13.1, p = 0.008) and the A allele (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.01-2.34, p = 0.04). Patients with a family history of psoriasis showed an increase in the frequency of the AA genotype compared with GG and GA genotypes (46.7%, 36.7%, and 16.7%, p = 0.003, respectively). Furthermore, psoriasis patients with the AA genotype were discovered more commonly among those under 30 years of age and male patients than those with the GG and GA genotypes, but the differences were not statistically significant.Conclusion:&nbsp;The TNF-α gene -238G&gt;A polymorphism has been related to an increased incidence of psoriasis.Keywords:&nbsp;TNF-α gene -238G&gt;A polymorphism; psoriasis; rs361525.</p