Birth weight and atopic dermatitis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Several studies examined the relationship between birth weight and atopic diseases, but no consensus has yet been reached regarding the results.The purpose of this paper was to perform a meta-analysis of the existing studies regarding the role of birth weight in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis. We carried out an extensive search in the international databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge). We selected the cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies which analyzed the role of birth weight in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis. We performed a meta-analysis of the selected studies, and calculated the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We included 10 studies in the final meta-analysis, which comprised 110974 patients. Weight classification was in compliance with Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS) Health Indicators. In the first meta-analysis, we selected patients with low weight (below 2500 g) and atopic dermatitis and compared them with those with normal weight (2500 – 4000 g) and atopic dermatitis. The analysis showed that low birth weight represents a protective factor in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (OR = 0.68, CI: 0.63 – 0.75, P&lt;0.0001). In the second meta-analysis, we compared patients with high weight (over 4000 g) and atopic dermatitis with those with normal weight and atopic dermatitis. The results indicated that increased birth weight represents a risk factor for atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.1; CI: 1.02 – 1.17; P = 0.01)Thus, low birth weight represents a protective factor for the occurrence of atopic dermatitis and high birth weight represents a risk factor for the occurrence of this disease.</p

Tophaceous Gout – When the Skin Comes First

Gout represents a metabolic disorder with systemic echo, in which needle-like crystals of monosodium urate are deposited in various tissular structures. Crystals accumulation in the connective tissue (tophi) represents the late, chronic stage of this disease, usually emerging after an average of 10 years after disease onset. Herein we report three cases of patients aged 70, 33, and 53 who presented with painful subcutaneous nodules located on various body areas. All of them had hyperuricemia. Several conditions had to be investigated in order to establish the etiology of uric acid metabolism alterations. Laboratory and pathology findings established the diagnosis of gout, with tophi as the first symptom of the disease. Following patient education, diet and lifestyle changes, and medication, the outcome in all patients was favorable, with alleviation of the symptoms. Tophaceous gout as a first presentation of this disease is currently uncommon, but dermatologist should be aware of this rare finding for proper management of such cases and to prevent the resultant significant functional and quality of life impairment if not recognized early

Public perception of dermatologists in Europe:Results from a population-based survey

BACKGROUND: The public perception of dermatology has been poorly investigated in Europe. OBJECTIVE: To determine the general public's perception of dermatologists in Europe. METHODS: This multinational, cross-sectional study was conducted within the framework of the EADV population-based survey on the 'Burden of skin diseases in Europe'. Data were collected using a web-based online survey on a representative sample of the general populations aged 18 years or more of 27 European countries. Proportional quota sampling with replacement design was used for each country. RESULTS: A total of 44,689 adult participants responded to the questionnaire, of whom 18,004 visited a dermatologist in the preceding 3 years. The dermatologist was the second most often visited specialist among all medical specialties, with 69.7%, 72.1%, 42.1% and 78.1% of participants in Western Europe (WE), Eastern Europe (EE), Northern Europe (NE) and Southern Europe (SE), respectively, having consulted a dermatologist over the past 24 months. Most participants across all regions agreed that the dermatologist was the first healthcare provider for chronic skin diseases (61.9% in WE, 69.8% in EE, 45.7% in NE and 60.4% in SE) and for skin cancers (65.5% in WE, 67.6% in EE, 42.4% in NE and 63.0% in SE). The five most common reasons for visiting a dermatologist among all participants were: naevi check-up or skin cancer screening (20.2%), chronic skin diseases (16.5%), acute skin diseases (12.4%), cosmetic advice or procedure (10.2%), hyperpigmentation or congenital lesions (9.1%) and hair or nail disorder (7.7%). Most participants (84.6% in WE, 82.5% in EE, 78.3% in NE and 82.8% in SE) were very swatisfied/somewhat satisfied with the service provided. CONCLUSION: Our study findings underscore the central role of dermatologists in skin health and highlights them as valued and trusted care providers across Europe. Understanding the perceived position of the dermatologist is the first step in improving health policy development and implementation. Notably, access to a dermatologist was lowest in NE, probably reflecting differences in healthcare organizational structures or possibly cultural differences in healthcare seeking behaviour.</p

Laser in surgical scar clearance: An update review.

AbstractScar formation is a consequence of wound healing that developed from damaged tissue either from physical injury or surgical incision. A hypertrophic scar develops due to an abnormal healing response to trauma. It might lead to serious functional and cosmetic disability. There are numerous methods mentioned in the literature to treat such scars but to date, no single method has been known to cure them. In this review, we focused on differences between various types of nonsurgical management of hypertrophic scar focusing on the indication, mechanism of action, and efficacy of the pulsed dye laser (PDL), fractional carbon dioxide laser (fCO2), Er‐YAG laser, and intense pulse light (IPL). The literature research included peer‐reviewed articles (clinical trials or scientific reviews) which were identified by searching electronic databases like PubMed till January 2021 and reference lists of respective articles. Only articles published in the English language were included

Quality of life and stigmatization in people with skin diseases in Europe:A large survey from the ‘burden of skin diseases’ EADV project

Background: Several large studies on the burden of skin diseases have been performed in patients recruited in hospitals or clinical centres, thus missing people with skin diseases who do not undergo a clinical consultation. Objectives: To evaluate the burden of the most common dermatological diseases in adult patients across Europe, in terms of quality of life, work life, and stigmatization. Methods: Population-based survey on a representative sample of the European general population aged 18 years or older. Participants who declared to have had one or more skin problem or disease during the previous 12 months completed the Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire, and answered questions regarding the impact of their skin disease on daily and work life, anxiety/depression, and stigmatization. Results: The study population included 19,915 individuals, 44.7% of whom were men. Quality of life was particularly impaired in people with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and sexually transmitted diseases. About a half of participants with acne, alopecia, or chronic urticaria, and about 40% of those with atopic dermatitis (AD), skin cancers, or psoriasis reported a modest to extremely large effect of the disease on their quality of life. Overall, 88.1% of participants considered their skin disease as embarrassing in personal life and 83% in work life. About half of the respondents reported sleeping difficulty, feeling tired, and impact of the disease on taking care of themselves. Concerning stigmatization, 14.5% felt to have been rejected by others because of the skin disease, and 19.2% to have been looked at with disgust. Anxiety and depression were frequently reported by patients with all the diseases. Conclusions: Skin diseases may heavily affect patients' daily and work life, and cause feelings of stigmatization. An early intervention is needed to avoid consequences on the patients' life course.</p

Extreme Dermatology – the Intensive Care Skills of Dermatologists in Three Case Presentations of Acute Skin Failure

Dermatological emergencies include a number of clinicalconditions usually accompanied by systemic symptoms that can leadto life-threatening complications.From the broad spectrum of life-threatening dermatoses, three casesare presented: a case of febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease(FUMHD), a case of pemphigus vulgaris mimicking Stevens-Johnsonsyndrome (SJS), and a case of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).Those cases were considered extreme, and presented to illustrate thepositive outcome of timely intensive dermatological care.An interdisciplinary approach is essential in the diagnosis, treatment,management, and follow up of patients with life-threatening dermatoses

German S3 guideline "actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma" – long version of the update 2023

Actinic keratosis (AK) are common lesions in light-skinned individuals that can potentially progress to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Both conditions may be associated with significant morbidity and constitute a major disease burden, especially among the elderly. To establish an evidence-based framework for clinical decision making, the guideline “actinic keratosis and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma” was updated and expanded by the topics cutanepus squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s disease) and actinic cheilitis. This guideline was developed at the highest evidence level (S3) and is aimed at dermatologists, general practitioners, ear nose and throat specialists, surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and radiation oncologists in hospitals and office-based settings, as well as other medical specialties, policy makers and insurance funds involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with AK and cSCC

Birth weight and atopic dermatitis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Several studies examined the relationship between birth weight and atopic diseases, but no consensus has yet been reached regarding the results.The purpose of this paper was to perform a meta-analysis of the existing studies regarding the role of birth weight in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis. We carried out an extensive search in the international databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge). We selected the cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies which analyzed the role of birth weight in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis. We performed a meta-analysis of the selected studies, and calculated the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). We included 10 studies in the final meta-analysis, which comprised 110974 patients. Weight classification was in compliance with Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System (PedNSS) Health Indicators. In the first meta-analysis, we selected patients with low weight (below 2500 g) and atopic dermatitis and compared them with those with normal weight (2500 – 4000 g) and atopic dermatitis. The analysis showed that low birth weight represents a protective factor in the occurrence of atopic dermatitis (OR = 0.68, CI: 0.63 – 0.75, P&lt;0.0001). In the second meta-analysis, we compared patients with high weight (over 4000 g) and atopic dermatitis with those with normal weight and atopic dermatitis. The results indicated that increased birth weight represents a risk factor for atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.1; CI: 1.02 – 1.17; P = 0.01)Thus, low birth weight represents a protective factor for the occurrence of atopic dermatitis and high birth weight represents a risk factor for the occurrence of this disease.</p