Urticarial Vasculitis

Urticarial vasculitis (UV) is a small vessel vasculitis and an immune-complex mediated disease like other leukocytoclastic vasculitis. UV seems similar to common urticaria clinically. Major difference between urticarial vasculitis and urticaria is the duration of lesions. Urticarial lesions regress in 24 hours, but UV lesions persist longer than 24 hours. Residual hyperpigmentation, constitutional symptoms like fever, arthralgia, and abdominal pain are other main clinical differences between these disorders. Upon confirmation of diagnosis, patients are divided into two major categories on the basis of serum complement levels: normocomplementemic UV (NUV) and hypocomplementemic UV (HUV). Consensus meeting in 1996 stated that long lasting (at least 24 hour–5 days) indurated wheals, which may be itchy, painful or tender, be associated with purpura and presence of associated extracutaneous findings, and cutaneous vasculitis confirmed by histopathological examination are defined as UV

The effectiveness of topical scar-reducing therapies administered for scarring due to burns and other causes: A retrospective pilot clinical research

Emel Çalıkoğlu (Aksaray, Yazar)Aims: Multiple modalities are used to treat scarring; however, data on the efficacy of the topical scar-reducing treatments most frequently used by patients is insufficient. This study aimed to retrospectively determine the effectiveness of topical scar-reducing treatments and patients’ compliance. Methods: The medical records of patients adimitted for the treatment of scarring were retrospectively evaluated. Patient satisfaction with the treatment was assessed via telephone interviews. Each patient also sent recent photographs of their scars. Pre- and post-treatment photographs were scored according to the Manchester Scar Scale, and in terms of vascularity and scar surface area (modified MSS ). Results: The study included 71 patients with a median scar age of 18 days at the time treatment was initiated. Mean duration of follow-up was 41 months. The prescribed treatments included onion extract, silicone gel or sheet, and a pressure garment. The patients reported that the treatments were effective, they were satisfied with the treatments, and the treatments were not excessively difficult to apply. MSS and ModMSS scores decreased significantly following treatment. Conclusions: The prescribed topical scar-reducing treatments effectively improved the cosmetic appearance of the patients’ scars and reduced scar-related symptoms. The effectiveness of the topical scar-reducing therapies increased as scar age decreased

The Incidence of Precancerous and Cancerous Skin Lesions: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

Objective: As the frequency of skin cancers continues to increase, the aim of this study was to determine the incidence of precancerous and cancerous skin lesions diagnosed and treated during 2016 at the dermatology outpatient clinics of 3 private hospitals in 3 cities in Turkey.Methods: All of the patients who presented at 3 outpatient clinics located in the Marmara and Anatolian regions of Turkey in 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with precancerous and cancerous skin lesions were identified via the relevant International Classification of Diseases code, and sociodemographic and clinical features were obtained from their medical records.Results: Among the 21,085 patients who presented at the 3 study centers, there were 81 cases of precancerous or cancerous skin lesions. The annual combined incidence of precancerous and cancerous skin lesions was 0.38%. The incidence of precancerous lesions (n=58) was 0.27%, while it was 0.11% (n=23) for cancerous lesions.Conclusion: The prevalence of precancerous and cancerous skin lesions is increasing worldwide. The results of this study were consistent with the findings previously detected in this country and worldwide. This study included patients from only 2 regions of Turkey, but the findings could be used as a reference for dermatology outpatient clinics located in second level healthcare facilitie

Acne in pregnancy: A prospective multicenter, cross‐sectional study of 295 patients in Turkey

Background There are only a few studies on acne in pregnancy. This study was aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, and familial characteristics of acne in pregnancy, triggering factors including endocrine diseases, and association of these findings with acne in different trimesters of pregnancy. Methods Pregnant women aged 18 years and older with acne at any stage of pregnancy were consecutively interviewed at the participating centers during the study period from 2016 to 2019. Acne severity was evaluated using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale. Results A total of 295 pregnant women with acne were included, with 167 (56.6%) patients showing mild, 87 (29.5%) moderate, six (12.2%) severe, and five (1.7%) very severe acne. Truncal acne was significantly higher in the third trimester than in the other stages (P < 0.001). Onset of acne before pregnancy, prepubertal, pubertal or adult onset, or acne history in previous pregnancies did not influence acne severity in pregnancy. Women with irregular menstruation before pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism, and higher body weight index tended to show severe acne in pregnancy. Conclusions Severe acne during pregnancy is generally uncommon, while severity of facial acne, truncal acne, and hirsutism is higher in the third trimester than in other trimesters. Acne in pregnancy shares many characteristics with female adult acne. Substantial changes in different kinds of hormones play a more complex role in acne during pregnancy, but the pathogenesis remains to be determined

Acne in pregnancy: A prospective multicenter, cross-sectional study of 295 patients in Turkey

Background There are only a few studies on acne in pregnancy. This study was aimed to investigate the demographic, clinical, and familial characteristics of acne in pregnancy, triggering factors including endocrine diseases, and association of these findings with acne in different trimesters of pregnancy. Methods Pregnant women aged 18 years and older with acne at any stage of pregnancy were consecutively interviewed at the participating centers during the study period from 2016 to 2019. Acne severity was evaluated using the Comprehensive Acne Severity Scale. Results A total of 295 pregnant women with acne were included, with 167 (56.6%) patients showing mild, 87 (29.5%) moderate, six (12.2%) severe, and five (1.7%) very severe acne. Truncal acne was significantly higher in the third trimester than in the other stages (P < 0.001). Onset of acne before pregnancy, prepubertal, pubertal or adult onset, or acne history in previous pregnancies did not influence acne severity in pregnancy. Women with irregular menstruation before pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, hirsutism, and higher body weight index tended to show severe acne in pregnancy. Conclusions Severe acne during pregnancy is generally uncommon, while severity of facial acne, truncal acne, and hirsutism is higher in the third trimester than in other trimesters. Acne in pregnancy shares many characteristics with female adult acne. Substantial changes in different kinds of hormones play a more complex role in acne during pregnancy, but the pathogenesis remains to be determined

Has the COVID-19 pandemic changed attitudes and behaviors concerning cosmetic care and procedures among patients presenting to the dermatology outpatient clinic? A multicenter study with 1437 participants

Background The rate of cosmetic procedures and use of skincare products is considered to be affected during the pandemic period; however, this has not been investigated yet. Objective To determine whether the ongoing pandemic has changed people's habits related to skincare products and cosmetic procedures. Methods We conducted a multicenter survey study covering both private and public hospitals. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical diagnoses of the patients were noted by dermatologists. A survey was used to determine the type and application areas of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic, whether the patients were concerned about being infected, and any change in the make-up habits of female patients. Results Of the 1437 patients, 86.7% presented to the hospital due to dermatological complaints and 13.3% for cosmetic procedures. The rate of those that did not use skincare products was 0.05% before and 0.06% during the pandemic. Of the participants, 43.2% had undergone cosmetic procedures before and 38.1% during the pandemic. For both periods, the most frequent cosmetic procedure applied was laser epilation, followed by skincare treatment and chemical peeling. While undergoing these procedures, 34.9% of the patients were concerned about contracting coronavirus. Conclusion There was no significant difference in the use of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic. The majority of the patients continued to undergo these procedures despite their fear of being infected. This shows that during the pandemic period, patients are concerned with their appearance and continue to undergo cosmetic procedures and pay attention to their skincare