PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY

Skin diseases are associated with environmental factors and a public health approach is particularly important. We determined the prevalence of skin conditions and associated socioeconomic factors in primary school children in Turkey. A questionnaire for determining the socioeconomic level and a complete dermatologic examination were performed in 785 children in two primary schools in different socioeconomic areas of suburban and central Manisa, Turkey. The study included 345 (43.9%) girls and 440 (56.1%) boys with a mean age of 9.25 +/- 1.55 (range 6-14 years). Infectious skin diseases were frequently observed: pediculosis capitis in 74 children (9.4%), scabies in 17 (2.2%), viral skin diseases in 30 (3.8%), and fungal infections in 6 (0.7%). The other common conditions were melanocytic nevi (14.4%), keratosis pilaris (12.5%), pityriasis alba (12%), xerosis (11.8%), and atopic dermatitis (6.8%). Pediculosis capitis, acne, and dandruff were more common in girls. The rate of infections, atopic dermatitis, xerosis, and pityriasis alba were significantly higher in the school children with poor socioeconomic conditions. Improvement in socioeconomic conditions along with education may be needed to decrease the prevalence of some of these skin disorders in order to decrease costs related to treatment

MYCOSES

A cross-sectional study was performed in two primary schools with different socioeconomic status in the suburban and central areas of Manisa, Turkey, in order to determine the prevalence of tinea pedis and onychomycosis. A full dermatological examination and a questionnaire on socioeconomic conditions were performed in agroup of 785 randomly selected children aged 6-14. Of 9 clinically suspected tinea pedis and 4 onychomycoses cases, KOH examination (direct microscopy) and/or mycological cultures were positive in six boys, in whom Candida glabrata and C . tropicalis grew. Older age and higher number of siblings were found to be significant factors for fungal infection

TURKDERM-TURKISH ARCHIVES OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEROLOGY

Background and Design: Leptin is a hormone, which regulates neuroendocrine function and also is involved in inflammatory processes. Proinflammatorycytokines, important inducers in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease, up-regulate the leptin levels. In this study, we aimed to compare leptin levels in patients with Behcet's disease to those in controls and to investigate the correlation between leptin levels and disease activity. Material and Method: Fifty-three patients with Behcet's disease (28 active and 25 inactive) composed the study group and 22 subjects-the control group. Leptin analyses were done by ELISA method using commercial kits. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were also measured. Results: Leptin levels were increased in patients with Behcet's disease compared to controls. Leptin did not correlate with disease activity. Conclusion: Leptin might have a possible role in the pathogenesis of Behcet's disease. (Turkderm 2010; 44: 209-12

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY

Background and design Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which causes psychological, social and physical problems and affects quality of life. The aim of this study was to develop a quality of life instrument for patients with psoriasis which is suitable for Islamic populations. Materials and methods The psychosocial and daily life problems defined by 75 patients with psoriasis, their relatives and physicians were used to construct a questionnaire, the reliability and validity of which were determined in a group of 156 patients with psoriasis. Results For reliability, Chronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.87, and item-total correlations were between 0.37 and 0.60 for internal consistency. There was high test-retest reliability (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). For validity, three factors were extracted in the principal components method for construct validity. The maximum factor loadings of each item were between 0.456 and 0.681. For convergent validity, all patients' self-ratings and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) were correlated with the questionnaire score (P < 0.001). Conclusions The questionnaire consisting of 17 items was found to be suitable for both epidemiologic and clinical trials

Azithromycin in the treatment of papulopustular rosacea

WOS: 000233830900012PubMed ID: 1636175