Emine Nur Rifaioğlu

Mean Platelet Volume in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis and Behçet Disease

Behcet disease (BD) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) are systemic inflammatory diseases, but the exact pathogenesis of both the diseases is unknown. Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation. The aim of this study was to investigate the MPV levels in patients with BD, RAS, and healthy participants. A total of 61 patients with BD, 60 patients with RAS, and 60 healthy controls were included in this study. The MPV levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with BD and RAS groups were significantly higher than the control groups (P < .001). In the BD group as well as in the RAS group, the disease activity does not affect the levels of MPV. The MPV levels may be used as a cheap and feasible diagnostic marker in patients with BD and RAS. Nevertheless, the MPV does not have a predictive value in differentiating the diagnosis of BD and RAS.

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio as a measure of systemic inflammation in psoriasis

Abstract Objective: Psoriasis is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) has been used as a marker for systemic inflammatory status. In our study, we aimed to evaluate N/L ratio in patients with psoriasis. Methods: This cross-sectional study population consisted of 138 patients with psoriasis and 120 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Results: The patients had significantly higher neutrophil counts and lower lymphocyte counts than the controls. The N/L ratios and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were also significantly higher in patients. The N/L ratios and hs-CRP levels were increasing with increasing in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Furthermore, the N/L ratios and hs-CRP levels of patients were found to be positively correlated. Conclusions: Our data show that the N/L ratio to be a simple, inexpensive and easily assessable marker of systemic inflammation in patients with psoriasis.

Trichoscopy in paediatric patients with tinea capitis: a useful method to differentiate from alopecia areata.

Trichoscopy (hair and scalp dermatoscopy) facilitates the diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders. The aim of our study was to identify the trichoscopic features in diagnosis of tinea capitis (TC) and to compare these findings with alopecia areata (AA).

Increased epicardial fat tissue is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis

Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) is a potential indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis. Epicardial fat thickness (EFT) is proposed as a new cardiometabolic risk factor.

Vitamin D status in patients with rosacea

Abstract Background: Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition affecting the face. In recent years, significant evidence shows that vitamin D plays an important role in modulating the immune system. Vitamin D and its analogues via these mechanisms are playing an increasing role in the management of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, acne and rosacea. Objectives: In our study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels in patients with rosacea and analyze the association of vitamin D with clinical features. Methods: Forty-four rosacea patients and 32 healthy control subjects were included into the study. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), calcium and intact parathyroid hormone were measured. Deficiency of vitamin D is defined as the level of 25(OH)D being less than 20 ng/ml. Results: Thirty-three female and 11 male patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 48.6 ± 11.5. The mean levels of vitamin D levels were found as 21.4 ± 9.9 and 17.1 ± 7.9 in patients and controls, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.04). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with rosacea was 38.6% and 28.1% in healthy controls (p = 0.34). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first study for evaluating serum vitamin D levels of patients with rosacea in the literature. Patients with rosacea have relatively high serum vitamin D levels compared to control groups. The result of our study suggests that increased vitamin D levels may lead to the development of rosacea. To confirm status of vitamin D levels in patients with rosacea, larger epidemiological studies are needed.

Mean platelet volume and eosinophilia relationship in patients with bullous pemphigoid

Abstract Introduction: Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune skin disease that is characterized by the formation of blisters on normal or erythematous skin. In patients with BP, eosinophils are highly represented in the inflammatory infiltrate of the lesional skin and their levels are often increased in peripheral blood. It is known that eosinophils are the major intravascular source of tissue factor (TF), an initiator of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. Patients with BP are also three times more likely to develop pneumonia and pulmonary embolism than the matched controls. We hypothesized that there might be an association between the eosinophil level and mean platelet volume (MPV) in these patients. Patient and method: A total of 19 patients with BP and age–sex match 22 healthy controls were included in this study retrospectively. MPV before treatment, MPV after treatment, platelet, eosinophil count before treatment, eosinophil count after treatment, white blood cell, glucose, C reactive protein and sedimentation rate were evaluated in BP patients and the control group. Results: The MPV value (8.32 fl ± 1.8) and eosinophil count (1.03 × 103 μL−1 ± 0.36) in patients with BP was significantly higher than that of control subjects (p = 0.036) and (0.22 ×103 μL−1 ± 0.29) (p = 0.002) (p < 0.05, Mann–Whitney U-test). Conclusion: In this study high levels of MPV and eosinophil levels have been detected. MPV may be a useful indicator of the risk of vascular events. Prospective studies are needed to compare disease activity, thromboembolic events and MPV in BP patients.

Narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy in childhood.

Abstract Background: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) has been used for skin diseases in children. However, the use of phototherapy in childhood has limited due to the possible risk of skin cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the narrow-band UVB phototherapy in children for the treatment of various skin diseases. Methods: The data of the children aged 16 years or under who were treated with narrow-band UVB in our clinic’s phototherapy unit were analyzed, retrospectively. Results: The study included 77 children (42 girls, 35 boys) aged 5–16 years (mean 12.18 ± 3.53) who were treated with a total of 81 courses of narrow-band UVB phototherapy in the last 4.5 years. The majority of patients had vitiligo (47%) and psoriasis (39%). Thirty-four (44.2%) patients showed complete response, 15 (19.5%) good response, 12 (15.6%) partial response, 5 (6.5%) poor response and 11(14.3%) no response. Acute side effects of phototherapy were observed only in 11 (14.3%) patients. Conclusions: Narrow-band UVB phototherapy is an effective and well-tolerated treatment in childhood.

Localized bullous pemphigoid occurring on surgical scars.

A 39-year-old woman presented with blisters on the old surgical scars for a month. Fifteen years ago she had undergone surgical operation due to a traffic accident. In dermatological examination, there were intact, tense bullae, located linearly along the scars on her legs [Figure 1]. Nikolsky phenomenon was negative. There were no bullae in any other mucocutaneous site. No milia were seen. Histopathological examination of the biopsy revealed subepidermal separation and bullous formation. There were abundant neutrophils and eosinophils in bullae [Figure 2]. In dermis, dilated vessels and perivascular chronic inflammatory cell infiltration and less neutrophils and eosinophils were seen. Direct immunofluorescence showed linear complement C3 deposition at the epidermal basement membrane [Figure 3]. IgG, IgA, IgM, and fibrinogen were negative. According to these signs, bullous pemphigoid (BP) was diagnosed. The patient was treated with 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream and her lesions disappeared and no new lesions were observed.

Assessment of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with psoriasis by speckle tracking echocardiography: A Speckle Tracking Study

Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease and is reportedly associated with adverse cardiovascular risks. Left ventricular (LV) function has not been studied comprehensively in psoriasis.

Assessment of left ventricular dyssynchrony in patients with psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory disorder, which has been reported to be associated with cardiovascular (CV) risks. Although increased CV risks in psoriasis are well established, there are no data about changes of contraction synchrony in psoriasis. Therefore, we aimed to study the left ventricular (LV) contraction synchrony in patients with psoriasis with narrow QRS and normal ejection fraction.