Kumutnart Chanprapaph

The effect of different pulse durations in the treatment of nail psoriasis with 595-nm pulsed dye laser: a randomized, double-blind, intrapatient left-to-right study

BACKGROUND Several studies have proven the efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of plaque type psoriasis. However, only two published studies indicate the effectiveness of PDL on nail psoriasis. OBJECTIVE We sought to study the effect of different pulse durations in the treatment of nail psoriasis with the 595-nm PDL to determine the optimal pulse duration. METHODS Twenty patients with bilateral fingernail psoriasis were recruited and completed a 6-month trial. PDL was applied on the proximal and lateral nailfolds based on random assignment. Forty nails were treated with 6-millisecond pulse duration and 9 J/cm(2) whereas 39 nails were treated with 0.45-millisecond pulse duration and 6 J/cm(2). Patients were blinded to pulse durations. One blinded dermatologist used the Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) to assess the clinical outcome from pretreatment and posttreatment photographs. Patients were monitored for adverse events. Pain was evaluated after the procedure using a visual analog scale assessed by the patient. RESULTS After 6 months of first treatment, there was a significant reduction in overall NAPSI, nail matrix NAPSI, and nail bed NAPSI scores from baseline in both groups; however, no significant difference was found between the two pulse duration groups. Side effects were mild including transient petechiae and hyperpigmentation. LIMITATIONS There was no placebo group. CONCLUSIONS PDL was found to be an effective and well-tolerated option in the treatment of nail psoriasis. No significant difference in terms of efficacy was found between the longer and shorter pulse duration treatment groups.

Effectiveness of Onion Extract Gel on Surgical Scars in Asians

Background. Onion extracts have been shown in vitro to accelerate wound healing. Results from clinical studies on surgical scars in Caucasians were disappointing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of onion extract gel in improving the cosmetic and symptoms of surgical scars in Asians. Patients/Methods. Twenty Asians who had new Pfannenstiels cesarean section scars were recruited in this prospective double-blinded, split-scar study. Each side was randomly assigned treatment with onion extract gel or placebo at 7 days after surgery. The product was applied three times daily for 12 weeks. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and 4th and 12th weeks. Scar redness was assessed by calorimeter, scar height and pliability were assessed by blinded investigators, and scar symptoms and overall cosmetic improvement were assessed by subjects. Results. Sixteen subjects completed the study. A statistically significant difference between two sides of scar in terms of scar height and scar symptoms was found. There was no statistically significant difference in scar redness, scar pliability, and overall cosmetic appearance between two sides. Conclusions. The early use of topical 12% onion extract gel on Pfannenstiels cesarean section scar in Asians resulted in the improvement of scar height and scar symptoms.

In Vitro Test to Confirm Diagnosis of Allopurinol‐Induced Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions

Allopurinol is a frequent cause of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), such as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The reactions can potentially be fatal. As drug rechallenge in patients with a history of drug‐induced SCARs is contraindicated, in vitro testing may have a diagnostic role as a confirmation test.

Comparison of Q-switched Nd: YAG laser and fractional carbon dioxide laser for the treatment of solar lentigines in Asians

Solar lentigines are benign pigmented lesions that occur mostly on sun‐exposed areas. Q‐switched and ablative lasers are effective for removing these lesions but the high incidence of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation raises concern in darker skin types. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and degree of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation with the Q‐switched Nd:YAG and fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser for treatment of solar lentigines in Asians.

Five-Year Retrospective Review of Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis

Background. Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) is an acute pustular eruption characterized by widespread nonfollicular sterile pustules. The aim of this study is to characterize the etiology, clinical features, laboratory findings, management, and outcome of patients with AGEP in Asians. Patient/Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on patient who presented with AGEP between August 2008 and November 2012 in a tertiary center in Thailand. Results. Nineteen patients with AGEP were included. AGEP was generally distributed in seventeen patients (89.5%) and localized in two (10.5%). Fever and neutrophilia occurred in 52.6% and 68.4%, respectively. Hepatitis was found up to 26.3%. The most common etiology was drugs (94.7%), comprising of antibiotics (73.6%), proton pump inhibitors (10.5%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (5.3%), and herbal medicine (5.3%). Beta-lactams were the most common causal drug, particularly carbapenems and cephalosporins. This is the first report of Andrographis paniculata as an offending agent for AGEP. We found no differences between various treatment regimens (topical corticosteroid, systemic corticosteroid, and supportive treatment) regarding the time from drug cessation to pustules resolution (P = 0.171). Conclusions. We have highlighted the presentation of AGEP among Asians. We found high association with systemic drugs. Carbapenems were one of the leading culprit drugs. Finally, a localized variant was observed.

Annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with anti-tuberculosis medications: a case report

IntroductionAnti-tuberculosis drug-induced cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis has been rarely reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis associated with anti-tuberculosis drug administration.Case presentationWe report a case of annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis induced by anti-tuberculosis medication. A 62-year-old Thai man presented to our facility with a generalized exanthematous rash on his trunk and extremities that resolved shortly afterwards. Subsequently, he developed multiple, erythematous-to-purplish, non-blanchable macules and papules with an annular arrangement on his extremities. The skin rash occurred after two weeks of anti-tuberculosis medication. The histopathology of the purpuric skin lesion was consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The skin lesion improved after discontinuation of the anti-tuberculosis drugs and treatment with oral antihistamine and topical corticosteroid drugs. Streptomycin, ethambutol and ofloxacin were administered as second-line anti-tuberculosis therapy during his hospitalization. No adverse reactions were observed.ConclusionsLeukocytoclastic vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of annular non-blanchable macules and papules. Although rare, anti-tuberculosis drugs should be considered potential causes of drug-induced annular leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

Infancy- and childhood-onset dyschromatoses.

The dyschromatoses are a group of pigmentary disorders characterized clinically by mixed and often guttate hypopigmented and hyperpigmented lesions. There are many conditions that present with dyschromatosis, including genodermatoses, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, drug and chemical use, and nutritional disorders. Some conditions have extracutaneous features. Poikiloderma (a combination of hypo‐ and hyperpigmentation with telangiectasia and atrophy) must be excluded. In this article, we describe the dyschromatoses typically presenting in infancy and childhood, most of which are genodermatoses. The approach we have taken in classifying them is based on organ involvement. We hope this article will serve as a guide for dermatologists to the recognition of these uncommon conditions.

Multikinase Inhibitor-Induced Hand–Foot Skin Reaction: A Review of Clinical Presentation, Pathogenesis, and Management

Multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) are targeted cancer therapies designed to inhibit multiple tyrosine kinase pathways responsible for tumor proliferation, growth, and survival. These agents are more able to target cancer cells and possess better safety profiles than conventional chemotherapies. However, MKIs can produce significant cutaneous adverse events, hand–foot skin reaction (HFSR) being the most clinically significant. Although not life threatening, HFSR can lead to MKI dose modification, interruption, or termination, potentially limiting the anti-tumor effect. This article summarizes the current knowledge concerning the epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, histopathology, prognostic implication, and current evidence-based prophylactic and reactive treatment options for MKI-induced HFSR. Its high incidence and significant impact on the quality of life emphasizes the great need to understand the pathogenesis and improve management of this condition.

Cutaneous adverse events of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors: A retrospective review of 99 cases.

BACKGROUND Previous reports regarding the cutaneous adverse events of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are mostly limited to small case reports and case series, mainly involving Caucasian patients. AIMS We describe the trends in the clinical presentation of Asian patients who had cutaneous adverse events induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and to explore the relationship between skin adverse events and tumor response. METHODS From 2006 to 2010, medical records of Thai patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS In all, 99 patients were reviewed and analyzed. Erlotinib and gefitinib were commenced in 75 (75.8%) and 24 (24.2%) patients, respectively. Cutaneous adverse events occurred in 43 (57.3%) patients receiving erlotinib and in 15 (62.5%) patients receiving gefitinib. The most common adverse event was xerosis (52.5%). Less common adverse events included papulo-pustular eruption (27.3%), erythematous maculopapular rash (11.1%), mucositis (6.7%), paronychia (5.1%), and trichomegaly (2%). Elderly patients had a higher occurrence of xerosis. The presence of cutaneous adverse events was significantly higher in subjects who had a tumor response. LIMITATIONS The limitations of study include its retrospective nature, and the initial screening of cutaneous adverse events was done by non-dermatologists. CONCLUSIONS Cutaneous adverse events due to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are not uncommon in the Asian population. We found a positive correlation between the occurrences of cutaneou adverse events and tumor response supporting the view that they are surrogate markers for therapeutic response.

Reliability and validity of the Thai Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life Questionnaire: a multi-center study

Objective To adapted the Drug Hypersensitivity Quality of Life (DrHy-Q) Questionnaire from Italian into Thai and assessed its validity and reliability. Design Prospectively recruited during January 2012-May 2017. Setting Multicenter; six Thai tertiary university hospitals. Study Participants Total of 306 patients with physician-diagnosed drug hypersensitivity. Interventions Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated among 68 participants using Cronbachs ɑ and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The validity of Thai DrHy-Q was assessed among 306 participants who completed World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF-THAI). Construct and divergent validities were assessed for Thai DrHy-Q. Known-groups validity assessing discriminating ability was conducted in Thai DrHy-Q and WHOQOL-BREF-THAI. Main outcome measures Validity; reliability; single vs. multiple drug allergy; non-severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) vs. SCAR. Results Thai DrHy-Q showed good reliability (Cronbachs ɑ = 0.94 and ICC = 0.8). Unidimensional factor structure was established by confirmatory factor analysis (CFI&TLI = 0.999, RMSEA = 0.02). Divergent validity was confirmed by weak correlation between Thai DrHy-Q and WHOQOL-BREF-THAI domains (Pearsons r = -0.41 to -0.19). Known-groups validity of Thai DrHy-Q was confirmed with significant difference between patients with and without life-threatening SCAR (P = 0.02) and patients with multiple implicated drug classes vs. those with one class (P < 0.01); while WHOQOL-BREF-THAI could differentiate presence of life-threatening SCAR (P < 0.01) but not multiple-drug allergy. Conclusions Thai DrHy-Q was reliable and valid in evaluating quality of life among patients with drug hypersensitivity. Thai DrHy-Q was able to discriminate serious drug allergy phenotypes from non-serious manifestations in clinical practice and capture more specific drug-hypersensitivity aspects than WHOQOL-BREF-THAI.