PSYCHOLOGICAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ACNE PATIENTS TREATED WITH ORAL ISOTRETINOIN

Introduction: The acne patients are at higher risk of acquiring depresion and anxiety, which can lead to reduced quality of life. Effective treatment of acne can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and significantly improve other physiological parameters and quality of life of these patients. The aim of this study was to determine the psychological status and quality of life of acne patients before, during and after the treatment with oral isotretinoin. Subjects and methods: The prospective study included a total of 127 patients suffering from moderate to severe form of acne. To assess the psychological status and quality of life of studied groups the following standard psychometric questionnaires were performed before, during and after the treatment with oral isotretinoin: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Assessments of the Psychological and Social Effects of Acne (APSEA), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Measure of Psychological Stress (MPS) and Dermatology Specific Quality of Life (DSQL). Results: Results of the present study indicate that there is no increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms in the patients treated with oral isotretinoin. The psychological status by gender has shown the existence of differences between the genders in all measures of psychological status. Statistically significantly better quality of life was observed after healing than before treatment. Conclusion: The results of our study showed no higher risk of depression and anxiety within the patients with acne treated with oral isotretinoin. Improvement of quality of life after the treatment of acne with oral isotretinoin was confirmed

Cutis Verticis Gyrata – A Case Report

Cutis verticis gyrata (CVG) is a skin condition characterized by excessive growth of the skin of the scalp, resulting in furrows and folds which are similar to the gyri of the brain cortex. CVG can be classified into two forms: primary (essential and non-essential) and secondary. We report the case of a 53-year-old male patient with the primary type of CVG. The patient did not present with any cutaneous complication. His main complaint was the unaesthetic aspect of his scalp related to a psychological inferiority complex.</p

ANALYSIS OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGICAL TRAITS IN PSORIATIC PATIENTS

Psoriasis vulgaris is a multifactorial, heterogeneous disease that is associated with problems in skin image and feelings of shame and stigmatization. The aim of this study was to analyze psychopathological traits in patients with psoriasis and a comparative group. A total of 254 dermatological patients participated in the study: 124 patients with confirmed diagnoses of psoriasis vulgaris and 130 patients with melanocytic and non-melanocytic nevi on covered parts of the body. Psychometrically mensural and standardized instruments were used in the study: list of general data, appendix of disease data, Beck Depression Inventory test, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Measure of psychological stress and Eysenck’s Personal Questionnaire. There is a significant statistical difference in the result of psychometric tests between the study groups. Patients with psoriasis have more severe symptoms of depression, more physical symptoms of anxiety and higher results on the anxiety scale as a state and as a trait p=0.000. Eysenck\u27s personal questionnaire showed higher results on the psychoticism scale p=0.000 and lower results on the extraversion scale p=0.035 among psoriatic patients

Risk Factors Associated with the Occurrence of Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent malignant skin tumor, which is associated with both genetic factors and environmental influences. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors associated with the occurrence of BCC in the inhabitants of the Western Herzegovina area. The study took place during 1997 – 2003. We examined the risk factors which are presumably associated with the occurrence of BCC: skin type, exposure to UV rays and family occurrence of BCC, supplemented by the examination of the skin type, UV rays and existence of malignant tumors amongst the family members. We recorded a high correlation between the type of skin and the risk of occurrence of BCC. Long term and frequent skin exposure to UV rays were also associated with BCC. We also recorded increased risk for BCC in persons whose family members suffered from malignant skin tumors. Avoiding exposure to the sun as well as protection from UV rays may decrease the risk of BCC

Quality of Life in Psoriatic Patients and the Relationship between Type I and Type II Psoriasis

Psoriatic patients, along with skin changes, frequently show various psychological changes such as depression, anxiety and have overall lower quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life in patients with psoriasis compared to other dermatological patients, as well as to investigate the differences between the two subgroups – type I and type II psoriasis. A total of 94 dermatological patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups, the first group made of psoriatic patients which was further divided into two subgroups, and the second, control group made of patients with other skin diseases. DSQL quality of life questionnaire was used. The study showed that among psoriatic patients there was no significant difference in the quality of life, but there was a significant difference between the psoriasis type I and the control group, which could be explained by the strong influence of the disease on the quality of life in psoriatic patients

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Malignant Melanoma in Area of West Herzegovina from 1997 to 2010

Incidence rate of cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM), one of the most aggressive skin tumours, is increasing nowadays. Etiology of MM has not been fully understood. Various etiological factors are of relevance for the occurrence of the disease. The solar radiation as well as long term exposure to ultraviolet radiation has the greatest impact on development of this skin tumour. Melanoma risk factors have different associations with melanoma on body sites. This study investigates the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of MM such as age, gender, distribution of MM on the body and type of melanoma in the area of West Herzegovina, on the sample of 205 patients. It presents the occurrence of MM in the period from 1997. to 2010. Both, females and males have increased the risk of melanoma on the trunk (45.9%). Different body sites receive various amounts of sun exposure, yet melanomas occur on all parts of the body. This may represent different pathways in the etiology of melanoma based on body location. The most frequent type of MM was superfitial spreading melanoma (SSM) 47.8%. According to our investigation incidence rate was 18.6% (per 1000 patints)

The usage of hypoallergenic cosmetics in patients with atopic dermatitis

The aim of this study was to investigate how many patients with atopic dermatitis applied hypoallergenic cosmetics compared with topical corticosteroids. The study included 41 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who were treated from June 1 to July 1, 2017 at the Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Clinical Hospital Mostar. According to the data analyzed, 46.34% of patients used hypoallergenic cosmetics while 24.39% used them periodically. 32.7% patients used topical corticosteroids and 17.07 % used them periodically. 19.51 % of the patients with atopic dermatitis used alternative products, while 17.07% used them periodically. Out of the total number of patients, most of the patients used neutral products. 78.05% used neutral cosmetic products, and 19.51 % used them periodically. 65.85 % patients used sunscreens and 24.40 % used them periodically. The majority of patients used neutral cosmetic products and sunscreens. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of the use hypoallergenic cosmetics compared with topical corticosteroids (χ2 = 1.802; df = 2; P=0.405). Women used sunscreens more often (χ2 = 16,02; df = 1; p = &lt;0,05). </p