Bier spots

Also called as physiologic anemic macules, Bier spots are small, hypopigmented irregularly shaped macules against a background of diffuse erythema, which creates an appearance of speckled vascular mottling of the skin. Bier spots most commonly appear on distal portions of the limbs though there are case reports describing diffuse involvement, which also affect trunk and mucous membranes of the patient. Although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying Bier spots still need to be elucidated, Bier spots have been suggested to be a vascular anomaly caused by vasoconstriction of small vessels. In addition, several diseases have been proposed to be associated with Bier spots, including scleroderma renal crisis, cryoglobulinemia, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, alopecia areata and hypoplasia of the aorta, although it has not been shown whether these associations are casual or coincidental. The clinical presentation of Bier spots is quite typical. These tiny whitish macules easily become prominent when the affected limb is placed in a dependent position and fade away when the limb is raised. Here we report a case of Bier spots in a 32-year-old male patient with characteristical clinical manifestations

An evaluation of thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with psoriasis

Introduction : The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of psoriasis has been investigated in previous studies with conflicting results. On the other hand, well-established treatments currently used in psoriasis exert their effects via a boost of oxidative stress. Recently, a strong positive association between psoriasis, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia has also been described showing the complex nature of the disease. Aim : To examine thiol/disulphide homeostasis, a newly developed homeostasis assay in psoriasis and evaluate the possible association between thiol/disulphide homeostasis and dyslipidemia in psoriasis. Material and methods : The study population included 92 psoriasis patients and 71 healthy subjects. Serum native thiol, total thiol and disulphide levels were investigated in patients with psoriasis and in healthy subjects. In addition, lipid profile (serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels were investigated in both groups. The association between thiol-disulphide parameters and dyslipidemia was also evaluated. Results : Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found to be higher in patients with psoriasis than in the healthy group. Lower plasma disulphide and higher native thiol levels were found in patients with psoriasis indicating an antioxidant status. Conclusions : To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the shift of dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis towards the thiol form in psoriasis which indicate higher antioxidant status

The Role Of Ifih1 Gene Rs1990760 And Rs2111485 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Generalized Vitiligo Predisposition

Background/aim: Interferon-induced helicase (IFIH1) is a gene locus that has been recently defined as a candidate for susceptibility to generalized vitiligo (GV). The objectives of this study were to assess the association of IFIH1 gene, rs2111485, and rs1990760 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) with susceptibility to GV and the autoimmune diseases accompanying CV. Materials and methods: We prospectively studied GV patients and frequency-matched healthy controls by age and sex. The genotypes of the participants were determined for rs1990760 and rs2111485 SNPs of IFIH1. Dominant, recessive, and additive models were evaluated for each SNP adjusted for age and sex. Results: The patients and their controls were observed to be in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for SNP1 (2q24.2, rs1990760, IFIH1, T/C) and SNP2 (2q24.2, rs2111485, IFIH1, G/A), respectively (all P > 0.7). For SNP I, every T allel addition was significantly associated with 1.53 times protectiveness in terms of vitiligo risk (P = 0.033). As for SNP2, every G allel addition was associated with 1.42 times protectiveness, close to statistical significance (P = 0.100). Condusions: We detected that for SNP1, each T allel and for SNP2, each G allel are protective in terms of vitiligo development. Hereby, we confirmed that IFIH1 gene locus has a role in GV susceptibility.WoSScopu

Systemic comorbidities associated with rosacea: a multicentric retrospective observational study

WOS: 000472185200024PubMed ID: 30575019BackgroundOnce considered a disorder limited to the skin, rosacea is now known to be associated with systemic disorders. The aim of this study was to determine what systemic comorbidities accompany rosacea and to determine the relationship between the type, severity, and duration of rosacea, and the presence of and type of systemic comorbidities. MethodsThis retrospective multicenter study was conducted by the Turkish Society of Dermatology Acne Study Group. Thirteen dermatology clinics throughout Turkey participated in the study. A structured physician-administered questionnaire was used to collect patient demographics, clinical findings, and lifestyle data. The principal rosacea subtype, physician global assessment of severity, and duration of rosacea were recorded. Physicians recorded each participant's medical history, including current and past comorbidities, duration of any such comorbidity, and the use of medications to treat any comorbidities. ResultsThe study included 1,195 rosacea patients and 621 controls without rosacea aged 18-85years. As compared to the controls, more of the rosacea patients had respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system, and metabolic and hepatobiliary system disorders in a rosacea's severity- and duration-dependent manner. ConclusionClinicians must be aware of the potential for systemic comorbidities in rosacea patients, which becomes more likely as disease duration and severity increase