Finasteride-its impact on sexual function and prostate cancer

Finasteride, a specific and competitive inhibitor of 5a-reductase enzyme Type 2, inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In adults, DHT acts as primary androgen in prostate and hair follicles. The only FDA-approved dermatological indication of finasteride is androgenetic alopecia. But, apprehension regarding sexual dysfunction associated with finasteride deters dermatologists from prescribing the drug and patients from taking the drug for androgenetic alopecia. Testosterone, through its humoral endocrine and local paracrine effects is relevant in central and peripheral modulation of sexual function than locally acting DHT. Several large population-based long-term placebo-controlled studies, using International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire and objective method (Nocturnal Penile Tumescence) to assess the erectile function have demonstrated no clear evidence of the negative effect of finasteride on erectile function. Reduction in ejaculatory volume is the only established causal relationship between finasteride and sexual dysfunction. Though finasteride causes significant reduction in all the semen parameters except sperm morphology, they did not fall below the threshold levels to interfere with fertility. Therefore, the sexual adverse effects associated with finasteride should be viewed in relation to normal prevalence and natural history of erectile dysfunction in the population, age of the patient, other confounding factors and also nocebo effect. The impact of finasteride on the prevention of prostate cancer has been discussed extensively. Finasteride is found to be effective in significantly reducing the incidence of low-grade prostate cancer. But the paradoxical increase in high-grade cancer in the finasteride group has been attributed to increased sensitivity and improved performance of prostate specific antigen levels to detect all grades of prostate cancer

A Cross-Sectional Study of Clinical and Histopathological Features of Vesiculobullous Skin Lesions

ABSTRACT Vesiculobullous diseases are a group of disorders in which primary lesion is a vesicle or a bulla involving skin and/or mucous membrane. It is important to identify and diagnose these lesions correctly as some of them are fatal if untreated. Hence, the present study was conducted to demonstrate various types of vesiculobullous lesions (VBL) and their histopathological features. Over a period of 20 months 35 skin biopsies from patients with vesiculobullous skin lesions were sent to the Department of Pathology. In all these cases, punch biopsies measuring 4-5 mm were taken and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and examined under a light microscope for level of blister, alterations in the morphology of keratinocytes, epidermal changes and characteristics of inflammatory infiltrate. During the study period, 170 skin biopsies were obtained out of which vesiculobullous lesional biopsies were 35 (20.59%) in number. Clinical and histopathological correlation was demonstrated in 14 (82.35%) cases of Pemphigus vulgaris (PV), 8 (88.88%) cases of Bullous pemphigoid (BP), 4 (100%) cases of Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and one case of Hailey Hailey disease (HHD). Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE), subcorneal pustular dermatosis (SCPD) and friction blister were diagnosed based on histopathological features alone. Four cases showed inconclusive results. A high level of accuracy can be obtained by correlating the clinical and histological findings in the diagnosis of vesiculobullous disorders

A CLINICAL STUDY OF 125 PATIENTS WITH PHRYNODERMA

Background: Phrynoderma is a type of follicular hyperkeratosis. Various nutritional deficiency disorders have been implicated in the etiology of phrynoderma. Aim: To determine clinical features of phrynoderma and its association with nutritional deficiency signs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 125 consecutive patients with phrynoderma attending the outpatient department (OPD) of dermatology was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. In all patients, a detailed history was taken and cutaneous examination findings such as distribution, sites of involvement, morphology of the lesions, and signs of nutritional deficiencies were noted. Results: The proportion of patients with phrynoderma attending the OPD was 0.51%. There were 79 males and 46 females. Age of the patients was in the range of 3-26 years with a mean of 10 ΁ 4.3 years. The lesions were asymptomatic in 114 (91.2%) patients. The distribution of lesions was bilateral and symmetrical in 89 (71.2%) patients. The disease was localized (elbows, knees, extensor extremities, and/or buttocks) in 106 (84.8%) patients. The site of onset was elbows in 106 (84.8%) patients. The lesions were discrete, keratotic, follicular, pigmented or skin colored, acuminate papules in all patients. Signs of vitamin A and vitamin B-complex deficiency were present in 3.2% and 9.6% patients, respectively. Epidermal hyperkeratosis, follicular hyperkeratosis, and follicular plugging were present in the entire biopsy specimen. Conclusion: Phrynoderma is a disorder with distinctive clinical features and can be considered as a multifactorial disease involving multiple nutrients, local factors like pressure and friction, and environmental factors in the setting of increased nutritional demand

Finasteride-Its Impact on Sexual Function and Prostate Cancer

Finasteride, a specific and competitive inhibitor of 5α-reductase enzyme Type 2, inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In adults, DHT acts as primary androgen in prostate and hair follicles. The only FDA-approved dermatological indication of finasteride is androgenetic alopecia. But, apprehension regarding sexual dysfunction associated with finasteride deters dermatologists from prescribing the drug and patients from taking the drug for androgenetic alopecia. Testosterone, through its humoral endocrine and local paracrine effects is relevant in central and peripheral modulation of sexual function than locally acting DHT. Several large population-based long-term placebo-controlled studies, using International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire and objective method (Nocturnal Penile Tumescence) to assess the erectile function have demonstrated no clear evidence of the negative effect of finasteride on erectile function. Reduction in ejaculatory volume is the only established causal relationship between finasteride and sexual dysfunction. Though finasteride causes significant reduction in all the semen parameters except sperm morphology, they did not fall below the threshold levels to interfere with fertility. Therefore, the sexual adverse effects associated with finasteride should be viewed in relation to normal prevalence and natural history of erectile dysfunction in the population, age of the patient, other confounding factors and also nocebo effect. The impact of finasteride on the prevention of prostate cancer has been discussed extensively. Finasteride is found to be effective in significantly reducing the incidence of low-grade prostate cancer. But the paradoxical increase in high-grade cancer in the finasteride group has been attributed to increased sensitivity and improved performance of prostate specific antigen levels to detect all grades of prostate cancer

Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy

An adult female patient on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure presented with large, brownish, and indurated plaques with bound-down skin on both lower limbs and abdomen along with difficulty in movement of the legs. Histopathological features revealed thick collagen bundles admixed with mucin and intercalating spindle-like cells characteristic of nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). Immunohistochemical study showed prominent CD68 positivity and weak CD34 positivity suggesting that the plaques were more than 20-weeks old. NFD in patients with chronic renal failure of unknown cause is a poor prognostic indicator. Early detection before the development of contracture and prompt treatment of NFD and underlying renal failure may reverse this disabling condition