Mukaddes Kavala

Erythrodermic pityriasis rubra pilaris: Dramatic response to infliximab therapy

Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a chronic papulo-squamous skin disorder characterized by skin and nail involvement.[1] The exact etiology is unknown. Vitamin A deficiency, infections, trauma and impaired immune responses are among the suggested causes.[2] A variety of topical and systemic treatment options are available.[3] This case is reported due to a dramatic response obtained with infliximab therapy, when various other systemic medications failed to produce a therapeutic response.

The co-occurrence of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus and celiac disease

A 53-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic for generalized hypo/hyper-pigmented, partially firm and sclerotic plaques with undefined borders. As the skin biopsy taken from the lesion was compatible with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA), the patient was treated with ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) treatment. Upon follow-up, she developed abdominal pain and diarrhea. Further investigation (including endoscopic and laboratory tests) showed signs consistent with celiac disease. After 30 sessions of UVA1 treatment, the skin lesions partially regressed. We present this case because the co-occurrence of LSA and celiac disease is very rare.

A case of hyperpigmentation and acanthosis nigricans by testosterone injections.

Drug-related skin disorders may occur in many different ways. Despite pigmentary changes being less important for morbidity, these changes precipitate depressed mood and reduce self-confidence. Testosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and primarily used for the treatment of hypogonadism in males. Testosterone replacement can cause skin problems like acne, hair loss, redness, pain, or infection at the injection site. The study was conducted on a 49-year-old man with adult onset idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which is an acquired form of isolated gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency. He was presented with lack of energy and decreased sexual function 10 years ago and was given an oil-based injectable blend of four esterized testosterone compounds as hormone replacement treatment in a urology polyclinic. He was referred to our polyclinic by endocrinologist because of progressive hyperpigmentation marked on his face and oral mucosa. In the present study, we report the first testosterone therapy-related facial and oral mucosal hyperpigmentation and acanthosis nigricans in the same patient.

Levels of F2 isoprostane in Behcet's disease: Correlation with cardiometabolic risk factors

Abstract Objective Behcets disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease and recent findings suggest a role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of BD. Free radical-induced oxidative stress is also involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and other rheumatic diseases. Oxidative stress may be detected in vivo by measuring F2 isoprostanes. Here, we measured plasma levels of F2 isoprostane in patients with BD and evaluated the correlation of F2 isoprostane with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods Forty-three patients with BD in remission and 37 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited for the study. Blood samples were obtained to determine F2 isoprostane, C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and other biochemical parameters. Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance and body mass index were calculated. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and waist circumference were measured. Results Plasma F2 isoprostane, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in patients with BD compared with healthy controls, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower in patients with BD. F2 isoprostane levels did not correlate with cardiometabolic risk factors, C-reactive protein levels, or erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Conclusion High levels of F2 isoprostane in patients with BD indicate oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapeutic approaches could potentially affect the course of this disease.

A CD30(−) Transformed Mycosis Fungoides Case Responding Very Well to Systemic Bexarotene and Methotrexate:

The course of mycosis fungoides (MF) is indolent except when transformation to a large T-cell lymphoma occurs. The diagnosis of transformed MF relies on the presence of more than 25% of large cells on biopsy of an MF lesion. Treatment of transformed MF is a major challenge as these patients have poor outcome. Here, we report a 61-year-old man presenting with tumoral ulcer on the plantar area of the foot who was diagnosed cutaneous CD30(−) large cell transformed MF and treated with systemic methotraxate and bexarotene therapy.

Can Pentraxin-3 be a Candidate Marker in the Follow-Up of the Patients With Behçet’s Disease?

Objectives This study aims to assess the level of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) as an inflammatory marker and compare it with C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with Behçets disease (BD). Patients and methods Forty-two patients with BD (15 males, 27 females; mean age 39.7±8.6 years; range 20 to 64 years) and 42 age- and sex- matched healthy controls (14 males, 28 females; mean age 40.8±8.2 year; range 25 to 60 years) were included in the study. Serum CRP and plasma PTX-3 levels were measured. Subgroup analyses were performed according to clinical manifestations of patients with BD. Results Both PTX-3 and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with BD than controls (1.33±0.29 vs 0.85±0.12, p<0.05 for PTX-3 and 0.71±0.13 vs 0.27±0.03, p<0.001 for CRP, respectively). Area under the curve was 0.633±0.062 vs 0.729±0.05, respectively. Mean PTX-3 and CRP levels were 1.1 vs 1.5, p=0.5; 0.5 vs 0.9, p=0.5; respectively, in patients with mucocutaneous involvement alone and with other involvements, whereas they were 0.9 vs 1.6, p=0.1; 0.5 vs 0.8, p=0.3; respectively, in patients with and without peripheral arthritis, and were 1.7 vs 0.9, p=0.06; 1.0 vs 0.5, p=0.07; respectively, in patients with and without uveitis. Conclusion Although PTX-3 levels were higher in patients with BD than healthy controls, sensitivity and specificity of PTX-3 was not different than CRP in patients with BD.

A case of subcorneal pustular dermatosis with IgG monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: a rare association

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