Beata Bergler-Czop

Pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with various kinds of acne treated with isotretinoin

Introduction Acne vulgaris is the most frequently diagnosed dermatosis in patients aged between 11 and 30. It is believed that it affects about 80% of persons in this age group or even, taking into account lesions of low intensity, 100% of young people. The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of acne is not fully known. The TLR2 receptors play a role in the aetiology of acne. Stimulation of TLR2 by Propionibacterium acnes makes the IL-8 and IL-12 concentrations increase. Aim The aim of this work was to determine IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in patients’ sera used to test response to TLR2 stimulation. A decrease in the levels of the above mentioned cytokines together with a decrease in sebum production were defined as an indication of efficient treatment with isotretinoin. Material and methods The tests were performed in 155 patients treated for different clinical forms of acne with an oral isotretinoin preparation in the Dermatology Clinic of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice in 2009–2011 – I group and the patients treated with oral isotretinoin 2 and 5 years ago – II group. The control group consisted of 40 healthy individuals. Conclusions Measurements of IL-1α, IL-1β and TNF-α sera concentrations could be assessed in parallel to the improvement of the clinical condition and can constitute a good indication of the efficiency of the isotretinoin treatment.

New aspects of the treatment of alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a disease involving non-scarring hair loss determined by autoimmune disorders and inflammation. The disease affects hair on the scalp and/or other parts of the body. The AA occurs in people of all ages and affects 1–2% of humans. The purpose of this paper is to present the latest knowledge on the treatment of AA. The decision on the type of treatment depends on the type of hair loss, extent of changes, general health status, the patients age, and his/her motivation. Treatment methods should be chosen individually for each patient.

Pyoderma gangrenosum in a patient with common variable primary immunodeficiency

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory skin condition that is associated with systemic inflammatory diseases. It is characterised by the presence of well-secluded, painful ulcerations, often located on the lower limbs. Similarly as in the case of acne inversa, patients’ markers of the inflammatory process are elevated; including OB, C-reactive protein and leukocytosis. The aetiology takes into account an over-reactive inflammatory response to various factors (presence of the so-called pathergy symptom). Common variable primary immunodeficiency (CVID) is a disease that is rather often recognized and affects about 1/10,000-100,000 individuals. It is a heterogeneous group of disorders of combined B-and T-cell dysfunction. The case is described of a 22-year-old man with pyoderma gangrenosum that coexisted with CVID.

Dermatological problems of the puberty

Puberty is a period of life between childhood and adulthood. It is characterized by many changes in morphology and appearance of the body (biological maturation), in the psyche – development of personality (psychological maturation), and in the attitude towards ones own and the opposite sex (psychosexual maturation), and in the social role (social maturation). Dermatological problems of adolescence are mainly related to fluctuations in hormone levels, mainly androgens. They include acne, hair problems and excessive sweating. Acne vulgaris is the most frequently diagnosed dermatosis in patients aged between 11 and 30 years. It is believed that it affects about 80% of persons in this age group or even, taking into account lesions of low intensity, 100% of young people. Excessive sweating is a condition characterised by excessive production of sweat, resulting from high activity of sweat glands. The sweat glands are localised in almost all areas of the body surface but on the hands, feet, armpits and around the groin they are found at the highest density. Seborrhoeic dermatitis of the scalp is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory dermatosis, which currently affects about 5% of the population. It affects mostly young people, particularly men.

The new therapy schema of the various kinds of acne based on the mucosa-skin side effects of the retinoids

The most common adverse effects of oral isotretinoin (>1/10) are: cheilitis, skin dryness, erythema, itching, scaling, bruising, skin atopy, conjunctivitis, dry eyes and eyelid inflammation. The aim of this work was to define an optimal dose regime of the oral isotretinoin allowing for effective reduction of sebum production and minimalization of adverse effects such as decreased skin moisturization, increase in TEWL and intensified erythema. The skin parameters were assessed using the MPA 5 diagnostic apparatus. Moisturization together with an increase in TEWL and erythema during treatment with isotretinoin seem to be crucial factors responsible for patient discomfort. The decrease in the pigment content in the skin during retinoid treatment is a favourable symptom, due to the frequent tendency of skin pigmentation disturbances in the sites after acne changes. On the basis of performed analyses it was concluded that the new therapy schema is the most advantageous form of isotretinoin dosing and it involves the use of a constant drug dose – 0.4–1.0 mg/kg body mass/day without modification during treatment.

The relationship between psoriasis and depression: A multiple mediation model.

This study examined the relationship between psoriasis and depression, proposing a multiple mediation model to analyse the relationship. A total of 193 patients with psoriasis aged 20-67 years completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Stigmatization Scale, the Appearance Schemas Inventory-Revised, and the Body Emotions Scale. The Body Surface Area index was used to assess severity of psoriasis. Serial multiple mediation analysis revealed that experiences of stigmatization, maladaptive beliefs about appearance and its salience to ones self-evaluation, and negative emotional attitudes towards the body, jointly, sequentially mediated the relationship between the presence of skin lesions of psoriasis and depressive symptoms. These results highlight the importance of the associations between stigmatization and cognitive and affective aspects of body image in relation to depression in patients with psoriasis. We suggest that prevention and intervention programs for psoriasis patients that target body image enhancement would be worthy of further research.

Side effects of retinoid therapy on the quality of vision

Abstract Retinoids are compounds chemically related to vitamin A, which are frequently used in dermatological practice (1). They are characterized by numerous mechanisms of action leading to normalization of keratinocyte proliferation and maturation. They have anti-seborrhoeic, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects (1, 2). A number of side effects to retinoid treatment have been recorded; one group of such side effects relates to eyes and vision. Dry eye syndrome and blepharoconjunctivitis are the most common side effects, appearing in 20-50 % of patients treated with retinoids. They often contribute to the occurrence of other side-effects such as eye discomfort and contact lens intolerance. Due to the widespread use in clinical practice, the adverse effects, including ocular side effects, should be studied. To confirm the variety of adverse effects of retinoids, several case reports of rare side-effects are presented.

Miescher's granulomatosis (granulomatosis disciformis chronica et progressiva) in a non-diabetic patient – case report

IntroductionNecrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is a rare disease of unclear etiology, that occurs in about 1% of diabetic patients.Case reportWe present case of granulomatosis disciformis chronica et progressiva Miescher with good response to systemic corticosteroids therapy.Patient 45 years old woman, with primary yellow-brown areas skin lesions, with foci well separated from surroundings on both lower legs, that occurred 5 years ago. In laboratory tests there was no abnormalities. Because of advance suggestion (after last admit in dermatological ward) of observation according to xantogranuloma necrobioticum tests for paraproteinemia were made. Immunoelectrophoresis, IgG, IgM, IgA levels, kappa light chain, lambda heavy chain; were correct, Bence-Johns protein-negative. During hospitalization in Clinic methylprednisolone in dose of 32 mg od, vascular drugs and local steroidotherapy was applied with good therapeutic response.ConclusionWe described case of typical clinical and histological characters of necrobiosis lipoidica. without diabetes-granulomatosis disciformis chronica et progressiva Miescher that despite of suspicion of proper diagnosis for a long time was not treat effective.

How does stigma affect people with psoriasis

Introduction Psoriasis is associated with a major additional psychological burden. Aim To investigate whether the extent of skin involvement, stigmatization, and perceived social support are related to depressive symptoms in psoriasis patients. Material and methods One hundred and forty-eight psoriasis patients completed in the BSA, the Beck Depression Inventory, Stigmatization Scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results Almost 13% of participants obtained a BDI total score indicating moderate depressive symptoms. The results of regression analysis revealed that greater depression severity in psoriasis patients is associated with higher levels of psoriasis-related stigma, lower perceived social support, female gender and a shorter duration of the disease, explaining 43% of the variance of depression. The stigmatization was the most powerful predictor of depressive symptoms for psoriasis patients and accounted for 33% of the variance. Conclusions The extent of psoriasis does not directly lead to mood disturbance in these patients. Rather, social stigma accounted for this relationship. Strategies for reducing the stigma attached to patients with psoriasis are required.

Serum vitamin D level – the effect on the clinical course of psoriasis

Introduction Psoriasis is a hyperproliferative disorder of the skin, and vitamin D analogs are widely used in its treatment. It is evident that ultraviolet radiation enables vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) formation in the epidermis, and this product is further converted into the active metabolites 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol, which exert several important effects on the skin. The disruption in proper functioning of the skin which occurs in psoriasis leads to a loss of capacity for cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D3. In consequence, it activates a vicious circle that impairs homeostasis of the skin and results in a progressive decrease in the level of vitamin D in the whole human body. Aim To estimate the prevalence of vitamin D serum deficiency in patients with psoriasis and analyse the association of vitamin D food intake with clinical features. Material and methods Forty adults with psoriasis and 40 healthy subjects (control group) were recruited. Psoriasis plaques were diagnosed and evaluated by the PASI scale. Collected blood samples enabled measurement of serum vitamin D level by assessment with the immunoenzyme technique. Results The analysis with the Mann-Whitney U test revealed a statistically significant difference in 25-hydroxycholecalciferol level between healthy individuals and patients with psoriasis (p = 0.048). In both groups (control and psoriatic) the level of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was seriously deficient (< 50 nmol/l). There was also a negative correlation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol serum level with both PASI (r = –0.43) and the duration of psoriasis (r = –0.53). Conclusions It is necessary to bear in mind that not only the ingestion of food rich in vitamin D is necessary, but also the production of vitamin D with sun exposure. The quantity of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol is very important both in the general population and in patients with psoriasis, because these groups have a distinct metabolism.