Specificity of dermal mucin in the diagnosis of lupus erythematosus: comparison with other dermatitides and normal skin

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/115900/1/cup12504.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/115900/2/cup12504_am.pd

Narrowband-ultraviolet B vs Broadband-ultraviolet B in Treatment of Chronic Pruritus: A Randomized, Single-blinded, Non-inferiority Study

Narrowband-ultraviolet B has shown increased efficacy over broadband-ultraviolet B in pruritic skin diseases, such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In patients with chronic pruritus, e.g. in end-stage renal disease, broadband-ultraviolet B is recommended, but narrowband-ultraviolet B has also shown efficacy in reducing pruritus. This randomized, single blinded, non-inferiority study investigated the effects of narrowband-ultraviolet B compared with broadband-ultraviolet B. Patients with chronic pruritus were treated with either broadband- or narrowband-UVB 3 times a week for 6 weeks and clinical response was monitored. Pruritus, sleep disturbance, and the patients’ subjective overall response to treatment were evaluated by the patients on a visual analogue scale (0–10). Skin excoriations were evaluated by investigators on a 4-point scale (0–3). Both phototherapeutic modalities showed significant antipruritic activity (itch reduction 48% and 66.4%, respectively) by broadband-ultraviolet B and narrowband-ultraviolet B. Narrowband-ultraviolet B proved to be not inferior to broadband-ultraviolet B in treating pruritus in patients with chronic pruritus, assuming a 20% non-inferiority margin.

Medical Photography: Documentation, Art, and the Expression of Human Emotions

Medical photography is the state of the art for the documentation of dermatological disease. Experienced photographers take pictures of the most typical skin lesions in order to assist the clinician in assessing disease morphology and activity. In this study, we present 6 individuals with a variety of dermatoses and the expression of the patients’ emotions. The patients were asked to show their diseased skin and to present typically involved areas in the respective disease. The feelings expressed by their body movements and positions are viewed and interpreted. The patients’ history will be reported retrospectively. The aim of the report is to show that the art of medical photography does not only document skin lesions but also the disease burden and the associated impairment of quality of life. Moreover, dermatologic photography is a sensitive intervention for patients viewed in the light of teaching and patient care