Neoplastic Leg Ulcers

Skin biopsy is an important procedure for a correct diagnosis of varying skin conditions, from inflammatory to neoplastic diseases. Nevertheless, some authors still consider this procedure a high risk in patients affected by leg ulcers (LUs) and prefer reserving it for selected cases

Dermoscopy of subungual red comets associated with tuberous sclerosis complex

We report here our experience on the use of dermoscopy for the detection of subungual red comets, which are sometimes present in the nails of patients affected by tuberous sclerosis complex. Dermoscopy allowed us to visualize, with better resolution than the naked eye, very tortuous capillaries surrounded by a whitish halo and close parallel binary tortuous capillaries. In some cases, subungual red comets are associated with the presence of periungual or subungual fibromas, but their exact pathogenesis remains unknown

Can a single drug administration elicit two different immunological pathways at the same time? A case report of Fixed Drug Eruption after anaphylaxis

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Rituximab therapy in pemphigus: A long-term follow-up

NOT REQUIRE

Socio-economic status and severity of plaque psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in the metropolitan city of Bologna

Only a limited amount of data is available on the demographic and socio-economic status of psoriasis patients and its correlation with disease severity and impact on quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the socio-economic status of psoriasis patients is associated with higher PASI (Psoriasis Area Severity Index) and DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) scores and global severity of disease. A total of 300 adults with plaque psoriasis, attending our psoriasis clinic for the first time (January 2015 to April 2018), were included in the study. Severity of psoriasis was defined according to three different definitions: PASI > 10, DLQI >10, and global severity based on the "Rule of tens" > 10%. The three outcomes were compared between patients with mild psoriasis and those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis using the t-test and χ2-test. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between each of the three outcomes and clinical and socio-economic features. Patients with lower educational level, employed in manual or office work, and with lower income were more likely to have moderate-to-severe psoriasis, considering the PASI and DLQI scores separately and the global severity of disease. The association between severity of disease and income was also significant based on multiple regression models. This study confirms the negative association between psoriasis severity and socio-economic status and is aimed at raising awareness among health professionals to investigate and consider this aspect in the management and therapeutic decisions in affected patients

Degos disease in three patients with a common systemic involvement

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A woman with a non-healing ulcer on the lateral border of the tongue

abstract non present

The potential role of serum polyclonal free light chains as markers of immune activation in psoriatic patients

BackgroundPolyclonal free light chains (FLCs) of immunoglobulins include kappa and lambda chains and represent a sensitive marker of activation and/or dysfunction of the immune system.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the role of FLCs as markers of immune activation in the management of psoriatic patients treated with biologics.Materials & MethodsThe overall study population included 45 patients affected by mild-to-severe psoriasis with either ongoing biological treatment or without any current systemic therapy. Peripheral blood samples were taken from all patients and 10 healthy subjects in order to determine immunoglobulins, light chains and FLCs by quantitative nephelometric assay. Moreover, antinuclear antibodies (ANA) were detected by immunofluorescence.ResultsPsoriatic patients showed significant increased levels of kappa and lambda FLCs compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, kappa and lambda FLCs values were significantly increased only in psoriatic patients with ongoing biological treatment and, in particular, in responder subjects. Furthermore, both kappa and lambda FLCs significantly correlated with duration of therapy. For patients with FLC levels above normal range and under biological treatment for more than 12 months, the odds of being ANA+was greater relative to patients with FLC levels above normal range but under biological treatment for less than 12 months.ConclusionsIncreased FLC levels may represent a marker of immune reactivation in psoriatic patients treated with biologic agents. We suggest that determining FLC levels has clinical relevance, with a cost/benefit ratio justifying such evaluation in the clinical management of psoriasis