Serum lipids abnormalities and psoriasis

Context: Psoriasis is a chronic proliferative inflammatory skin disease with unknown etiology. The loss of scale from the surface observed in the course of psoriasis may be related to lipid disorders in epidermis and in serum. Moreover a predisposition to occlusive vascular disease and increased cardiovascular morbidity has been reported. Aims: In this study, the serum lipid levels of psoriatic patients were investigated to detect any relation in this respect. Materials and Methods: 60 psoriatic and 120 nonpsoriatic individuals were included in this case control study and were analogized for sex, age and body mass indices. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured. Statistical Analysis Used: Collected data were analyzed by statistical tests of Chi square, Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis applying SPSS software. Results: Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C were found to be significantly higher than in normal control group ( P < 0.05). No significant statistical difference was observed between HDL level of the two groups. Conclusions: We concluded that psoriatic patients should be evaluated for hyperlipidemia and obstructive vascular diseases. Administrating lipid-lowering medicines for patients particularly cases with severe disease may be beneficial prognosis

Epidemiology of pemphigus in northeast Iran: A 10-year retrospective study

Pemphigus is an autoimmune blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes with different reported epidemiological aspects from different countries. <b> Aim:</b> Our aim was to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of pemphigus in Mashhad city. This is the first report with regard to the characteristics of pemphigus in Khorasan province of Iran. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> In this cross-sectional study, all the patients with pemphigus, who were referred to the Dermatology Department of Imam Reza hospital of Mashhad, were examined over nine years, i.e., from May 1998 to March 2007. The data obtained through questionnaires, including age, sex, profession, mucosal or skin or the involvement of both, lag-time period between the onset of disease and the first presentation, gap between cutaneous and mucosal involvements, season of onset and family history, were analysed by using statistical tests of Chi square and Student&#x2032;s <i> t</i> -test and the statistical software of SPSS. <b> Results:</b> In 178 patients with pemphigus, pemphigus vulgaris was the most common type (86.5&#x0025;). Female to male ratio was 1.4. In pemphigus vulgaris patients, there was involvement of both the skin and mucosa in 64.3&#x0025;, mucosal involvement in 14&#x0025; and skin involvement in 21.7&#x0025;. There was no mucosal involvement in patients with pemphigus foliaceus. Two patients (1.4&#x0025;) had a positive family history. Summer was the most common season for the onset of the disease (37.5&#x0025;). Most of the patients were housewives in the premenopausal age group. <b> Conclusion:</b> The results reveal a high incidence of pemphigus in northeast Iran with an incidence of 20 patients per year

Clinicopathological evaluation of radiation induced basal cell carcinoma

Background: Development of skin neoplasms is one of the most important chronic complications of radiation therapy. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequent carcinoma occurring at the region of the body to which radiotherapy was delivered. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and histological aspects of basal cell carcinoma in patients with a history of radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Medical records and microscopic slides of 80 patients with basal cell carcinoma who had received radiotherapy (1996-2006) were reviewed in pathology department of Imam Reza hospital of Mashhad, Iran. Collected data were analyzed statistically using descriptive test. Results: 60 men and 20 women were included, majority of them in their sixties. Plaque was the most common clinical pattern of basal cell carcinoma. Fifty one percent of the patients had pigmented and 42.5&#x0025; had multiple lesions. Scalp was the most common site of involvement. Histologically, macronodular and pigmented carcinoma were the most predominant forms of basal cell carcinoma. Discussion: Majority of patients had scalp involvement and multiple lesions. Nodular and pigmented forms were the most common histological findings. We suggest the need for close supervision in patients with a history of radio therapy in the past

Clinicopathologic evaluation of mammary <i>Paget&#x2032;s disease</i>

Mammary and extramammary Paget&#x2032;s diseases are rare neoplasms of epidermis and mucosal epithelium. Due to their nonspecific and variable clinical view, they have differential diagnosis with eczema, melanoma, Bowen&#x2032;s disease, etc. To the best of our knowledge, no such study has been performed in Iran regarding the prevalence, clinical aspects, underlying disease and pathological characteristics of these two diseases. In this study, we have evaluated the clinical and histopathological aspects of this disorder. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> In this retrospective study, all Paget&#x2032;s biopsied samples referred to the Pathology Department of Imam-Reza hospital, Mashhad, since 1984 till 2004 were evaluated. Collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. <b> Results:</b> Among 98925 specimens, there were 29 cases of Paget&#x2032;s disease. All cases were married women suffering from mammary Paget. The mean age was 53 &#x00B1; 11 years. Left and right breast involvement was observed in 17 and 12 cases, all unilateral. The most common clinical view was ulcerated (27&#x0025;) and then erythematosus exudative plaques. More than 50&#x0025; of patients were symptomatic. Most common symptoms were itching, pain and burning. The exclusive underlying pathological diagnosis was ductal carcinoma (55&#x0025;). <b> Discussion:</b> In most cases, the clinical view of mammary Paget&#x2032;s disease was helpful. Unilateral ulcerated plaque was the most common clinical sign. Majority of the accompanying pathology was ductal carcinoma. We had no cases of extramammary Paget&#x2032;s disease in our study