J.P.W. van der Veen

Decreased risk of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with vitiligo: a survey among 1307 patients and their partners

Background  Vitiligo is a common skin disease characterized by autoimmune melanocyte destruction. Recent genetic studies suggest a lower susceptibility to melanoma in patients with vitiligo; however, lifetime melanoma prevalence in patients with vitiligo has not previously been studied. Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) prevalence has been studied, but only in small studies and with contradictory results.

Laser and intense pulsed light therapy for the treatment of hypertrophic scars: A systematic review

Hypertrophic scars are difficult to improve and remain a therapeutic challenge. Several lasers and light sources have been evaluated in the past decades and have been shown to improve hypertrophic scars. However, a systematic review is not available. To assess current evidence of efficacy of all laser and intense pulsed light therapies used in the treatment of hypertrophic scars, we performed a systematic review searching electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL. The quality of the controlled clinical trials was evaluated according to the Cochrane Collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias. Thirteen articles involving seven different lasers met the inclusion criteria. Most evidence was found for the pulsed dye laser (PDL) 585 nm (eight studies), followed by the PDL 595 nm (two studies), whereas limited evidence (one trial per laser) was available for the fractional nonablative laser 1540 nm, CO2 laser 10 600 nm, low‐level laser therapy, Nd:YAG laser 532 nm and Erbium:YAG laser 2940 nm. Treatment recommendations should be formulated with caution as current evidence is insufficient for comparing the efficacy of different laser therapies. The PDL 585 nm showed a low efficacy for the treatment of hypertrophic scars. With moderate efficacy, the PDL 595 nm is promising, although more research is necessary. Little evidence was found for the efficacy of other lasers. Future research, with a low risk of bias, well‐defined scar characteristics, validated outcome measures, standardized measurement methods, follow‐up periods of at least 6 months and well‐defined laser settings, is needed.

The prevalence of thyroid disease in patients with vitiligo: a systematic review

Background  Thyroid disease has been suggested to be associated with vitiligo. However, the outcomes of prevalence studies on thyroid disease in vitiligo vary widely.

Impact of childhood vitiligo on adult life.

Background  The onset of vitiligo occurs before the age of 20 years in 50% of patients. Having a chronic disease in childhood can impede a child’s health‐related quality of life (HRQL).

Chronic idiopathic and secondary neutropenia: clinical and serological investigations

Clinical data on 49 patients with chronic idopathic neutropenia (CIN) and 42 patients with neutropenia secondary to a well‐defined immuno‐logical disorder (SN) were collected and related to serological parameters. In 47% of the patients with CIN and 53% of those with SN, a positive direct immunofluorescence test was obtained with granulocytes from the patients. In the sera from the patients in the two groups, antibodies against donor granulocytes were detected by the indirect immunofluorescence test, the leucoagglutination test and/or the granulocytotoxicity test in 15%, 19% and 15%, respectively. The results of the above tests could not be correlated with any clinical or haematological parameter.

A randomized comparison of excimer laser versus narrow-band ultraviolet B phototherapy after punch grafting in stable vitiligo patients

Background  Ultraviolet radiation following punch grafting may stimulate the migration of melanocytes from the grafts into the vitiliginous skin, thereby increasing the rate of repigmentation. We compared the effects of the 308‐nm xenon chloride excimer laser (EL) vs. narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) after punch grafting in patients with vitiligo.

Long-term results of 2-mm punch grafting in patients with vitiligo vulgaris and segmental vitiligo: effect of disease activity.

Background  Punch grafting is a simple and frequently used technique for the treatment of stable vitiligo, resistant to medical therapy. However, studies reporting long‐term results are exceptional.

Vitiligo Area Scoring Index and Vitiligo European Task Force assessment: reliable and responsive instruments to measure the degree of depigmentation in vitiligo

Vitiligo is a common skin disorder causing depigmented macules that can impair a patients quality of life. Currently, there are no standardized outcome measures to assess the degree of depigmentation. Moreover, there is limited knowledge on the measurement properties of outcome measures in vitiligo.

Radiation-induced melanoma-associated leucoderma, systemic antimelanoma immunity and disease-free survival in a patient with advanced-stage melanoma: a case report and immunological analysis

Background  Melanoma is an immunogenic tumour. The development of skin depigmentation or melanoma‐associated leucoderma (MAL) has been associated with favourable clinical outcome in patients with metastatic melanoma, especially after immunotherapy. Evidence for clinically meaningful enhancement of melanoma‐directed autoimmunity, as indicated by MAL, after radiotherapy without immunotherapy has not yet been published.

Low yield of routine screening for thyroid dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with vitiligo

Background  Nonsegmental vitiligo is considered to be an autoimmune disease and is known to be associated with other autoimmune diseases, particularly affecting the thyroid. Screening patients with nonsegmental vitiligo for thyroid function and for the presence of thyroid autoantibodies has been recommended.