Gay-Related Smartphone Applications: Potential and Risk- A Review of the Medical Literature in the Field

In the setting of difficulty in finding inter-relational partners for the individuals belonging to the LGBT community, a number of mobile phone applications provided with geo-tracking system have appeared in the last years, facilitating communication between gay individuals located in the nearby geographic areas, free applications which protect the identity of the users and indicate the relative distance between users and allow the sharing of information regarding physical characteristics (age, height, weight) as well as image-type files. At present, it is worth acknowledging that all those applications addressed to the LGBT persons in search for partners are sex-specific, being polarized (applications for MSM/lesbians). Among those the most successful and renowned are Grindr, Planet Romeo (homosexuals, MSM) and, respectively, Brenda (lesbians). In the medical literature there are recent studies that assess the STI risk-specific profile of these users, as well as the opportunities of behavioral study that these applications are presenting to the scientists, through the accessibility of interviewing gay persons and targeting them in HIV prevention programs. The present paper aims to look over the medical studies published to date which involved these types of internet type social networks, emphasizing on the potential represented by these applications and on the behavioral and risk profile of the users

Genital Skin Diseases and Their Expression in Sexual Functionality

Sexual functionality acts as an important function of the individual, acting both physically and mentally to create a state of well-being and permitting procreation. A large number of mucosal and cutaneous ailments may affect the genial areas in both males and females, generally leading to local symptoms that impede the sexual act. Genital diseases, sometimes even without impairing the sexual function, may still alter the dynamics just because of the enormous psychological impact that occurs in these situations. We aim to review main dermatological disorders that alter normal function of the genitalia, as well as their physical mechanism by which the sexual functionality is changed

Sexual Dysfunctions in Psoriatic Patients

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder with a worldwide occurrence characterized by well-defined infiltrated erythematous papules and plaques, covered by silvery white or yellowish scales. It is a physically, socially and emotionally invalidating disorder that affects 1-2% of the population. Sexual health is an important part of general health and sexual dysfunctions can negatively affect self-esteem, confidence, interpersonal relationships and the quality of life. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Psoriasis Disability Index (PDI) and the Impact of Psoriasis on Quality of Life (IPSO) questionnaire are all questionnaires used to assess the quality of life of patients with psoriasis and each has one question regarding sexual dysfunction. Several scales were also designed to particularly assess sexual satisfaction in men and women. The aim of this paper is to perform an overview of the existing studies on sexual dysfunction in psoriatic patients

Common Dermatoses in Patients with Obsessive Compulsive Disorders

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic, debilitating syndrome, consisting of intrusive thoughts- which are experienced as inappropriate by the patient and are producing anxiety- and compulsions, defined as repetitive behaviours produced to reduce anxiety. While patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder typically have xerosis, eczema or lichen simplex chronicus, as a result of frequent washing or rubbing their skin, several other disorders which are included in the group of factitious disorders have also been associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder. A close collaboration between the dermatologist and the psychiatrist is therefore mandatory in order to achieve favourable outcomes for these patients. The aim of the article is to present the most frequent dermatological disorders associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder and to look over some of the rare ones

Genital Male Piercings

Body piercing has been practiced for thousands of years all over the world for beautification, religion, initiation rites or status reasons. Genital piercings also have a significant background and have been practiced for enhancing sexual pleasure, chastity, shocking or as a protest against a conservative society. As the popularity of genital piercings increased in the last years, the number of complications is also on the rise. It is therefore important for the medical professionals to have at least basic knowledge regarding this practice, as it might be required in the management of unpredictable complications

Vulvodynia; an under-recognized disease

Vulvodynia is a chronic condition which affects an increasing number of women; it presents currently an incidence that is higher than had previously been estimated. Regarding pathogenesis, several (hormonal, infectious, inflammatory and psychological) factors have been proposed, but vulvodynia etiology remains still unclear. This disorder is a multifactorial condition with a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life, yet is difficult to diagnose (an under-estimated/ under-recognized affection). Certain medical investigations are required in order to exclude other diseases (the diagnosis of vulvodynia being one of exclusion), but anamnesis and physical examination are essential steps in the diagnosis. Although many therapies have been proposed, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, a standardized therapy has not yet been established/ generally accepted. Accordingly, many therapeutic options have been studied with varying results. Vulvodynia remains a challenging disease and a multidisciplinary approach is needed to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Further studies are needed to completely understand its pathogenesis and to develop a standardized treatment

Pathological Skin Picking: Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Pathological skin picking is a condition in which patients induce skin lesions through repetitive, compulsive excoriations of normal skin or skin with minor surface irregularities and they admit their role in the production of the lesions, but are unable to stop their behavior. Psychiatric comorbidities most often associated with skin picking include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety disorders, mood disorders, body dysmorphic disorders, trichotillomania and compulsive-buying disorder. We report the case of a 17 year old female patient who addressed the dermatology department of our hospital with an eruption consisting of erythematous papules and plaques. The local examination revealed several clues of paramount importance in drawing the final conclusion and the psychiatric examination helped establish the diagnosis of pathological skin picking in a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder

The current treatment of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. It is the most frequent sexual dysfunction in elderly men and its prevalence increases with age. Ever since ED was recognized as a real health problem, several treatment options became available and some of them proved to be very efficient. PDE5 inhibitors are the mainstay treatment of ED. However, other treatment options such as intracorporal injections, surgery, vacuum devices and prosthesis are also available for patients who are unresponsive to PDE5 inhibitors. Since none of the treatment options available so far has proven ideal, research in the field of sexual medicine continues. The aim of this paper is to review the most advances in the treatment of ED

Therapeutic challenges in a case of psoriasis with nail onset

Nail psoriasis affects a large number of patients with psoriasis and has a major psychosocial impact. Furthermore, it may be regarded as a predictor of more severe forms of psoriasis and early sign of psoriatic arthritis. The clinical presentations vary depending on the structure affected (nail matrix or nail bed), the nail lesions may range from minor to severe, but they are not specific. Treatment is a challenge, in most cases the lesions being resistant to therapy. We present a rare case of psoriasis with nail onset in a 59-year-old woman. The nail involvement confined to the fingernails was severe, with significant impairment of the patient’s quality of life. Conventional therapies failed to improve the nail lesions, but a marked improvement was achieved under etanercept therapy

Diagnostic challenges and treatment difficulties in a patient with excoriated acne conglobata

Acne conglobata is a rare and severe form of acne vulgaris, characterized by the presence of comedones, papules, pustules, nodules and sometimes hematic or meliceric crusts. Acne excoriée is a form of self-inflicted skin condition in which the patient picks on imaginary or real acne lesions. We report the case of a 16 year old Caucasian female patient from the urban area who addressed our dermatology department for erythematous, edematous plaques covered by pustules and crusts, located on the face. The anamnesis revealed that during the last weeks she had had a depressive mood after ending a relationship with her boyfriend and started scratching and picking on the lesions. The patient\u27s depressive mood prior to the worsening of the disease was probably aggravated by the condition. This might have determined the picking of the skin which could have impeded the response to standard treatment. The self-excoriative behavior could also be regarded as an appeal for help