Selma Bakar Dertlioglu

Demographic, clinical, and radiologic signs and treatment responses of lipoid proteinosis patients: a 10-case series from Şanlıurfa

Lipoid proteinosis (LP) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by mucocutaneous lesions and hoarseness that develop in early childhood. This paper presents the clinical and radiologic characteristics and treatment responses of 10 LP patients from five different families.

Efficacy of topical tacrolimus for the treatment of persistent pruritus ani in patients with atopic dermatitis

Background: Pruritus ani (PA) is defined as intense chronic itching affecting perianal skin. Objective: We aimed to determine the efficacy of topical tacrolimus treatment in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients who have PA. Methods: The study included 32 patients with AD who were suffering PA. Patients were randomized into two groups. In total, 16 patients used 0.03% tacrolimus ointment and 16 patients used vaseline as placebo. All groups applied topical treatments to their perianal area twice daily for 4 weeks. The treatments were then reversed for 4 weeks after a 2 weeks wash out period. Results: In total, 32 patients with AD who had refractory anal itching were enrolled in this study. None of the patients had obtained successful results with previous treatments. There was a statistically significant decrease in the recorded EASI, DLQI and itching scores for the tacrolimus group compared to the placebo group at weeks 4 and 6 of treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Topical tacrolimus treatment was well tolerated and effective in controlling persistent PA in AD patients.

Does hepcidin play a role in the pathogenesis of aphthae in Behçet's disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis?

Aphthae constitute one of the major signs in Behçets disease (BD) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). No scientific study has yet explored the relationship of hepcidins, which have antimicrobial effects, with RAS and BD.

Changes in serum desnutrin levels in patients with acne vulgaris

BackgroundAndrogens and insulin may contribute to increased sebum production in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.ObjectiveWe investigated the association between serum desnutrin levels and acne vulgaris in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.Material and methods25 patients presenting with acne vulgaris and 25 control subjects participated in this study. Fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, HDL, total cholesterol, insulin, C-peptide and thyroid function tests were measured. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to calculate insulin resistance. Desnutrin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer’s protocol.ResultsPatients with acne vulgaris had a mean serum desnutrin level of (8.83 ± 1.13 μIU/mL), which was statistically significantly lower in the control group (10:58 ± 3.43 μIU/mL). In patients with acne vulgaris the serum glucose levels, insulin levels and HOMA-IR values (87.92 ± 7:46 mg/dL, 11.33 ± 5.93 μIU/mL, 2.49 ± 1.40, respectively) were significantly higher than the control group (77.36 ± 9.83 mg/dL, 5.82 ± 2.68 μIU/mL, 1.11 ± 0.51, respectively) (p = 0.01, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionFull cohort (patients and controls) evaluation revealed a negative correlation between the serum glucose and desnutrin levels (r = −0.31, p<0.05).Apositive correlationwas found between insulin and desnutrin levels (r = 0.42, p<0.001). In patients with acne vulgaris, as a result of increased levels of serum glucose and insulin, the function of desnutrin was suppressed, perhaps contributing to insulin resistance.

Plasma osteopontin levels in patients with Behcet's disease and psoriasis

BACKGROUND Behcets disease (BD) is a chronic and recurrent systemic vasculitis marked by macrophage chemotaxis. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the osteopontin molecule and BD. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study registered 60 patients with BD, as well as 50 healthy individuals and 63 patients with psoriasis as the control group. Patients with BD in our study were divided into 2 groups, with regard to mucocutaneous involvement, as active and inactive patients. In addition, patients with BD were also divided into 3 groups with regard to vascular involvement: active, inactive, and no vascular involvement. RESULTS Plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels in active patients with BD, inactive patients with BD and patients with psoriasis were found statistically significantly elevated, in comparison to those in the healthy control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.008, p < 0.001, respectively). When active and inactive patients with BD were compared to the healthy control group with regard to vascular involvement, mean plasma OPN levels were found to be statistically significantly higher (p = 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We found that plasma levels of OPN were higher in patients with Behcets and psoriasis.

Investigation of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

Background. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and a decrease in health-related quality of life. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may be present in atopic dermatitis patients. Objective. The present study aims to investigate the co-presence of ADHD in adult patients with AD. Material and method. The study registered 60 adult patients with AD (48 females and 12 males) and 50 non-atopic control subjects (38 females and 12 males). The AD patient group and the control group were assessed using the Turgay adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) DSM-IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale (Turkish Version), which was studied by a team of psychologists and psychiatrists in Turkey for validity, reliability and norms. The scale covers three dimensions of the disease, namely inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, and associated features of ADHD. The groups were compared and contrasted in terms of their similarities and differences in ADD/ADHD symptoms. Results. Three sub-dimensions of ADD/ADHD scale (Attention Deficit, Hyperactivity/ Impulsivity and Problem subdivisions) in AD patients were found statistically significantly elevated relative to controls (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions. In conclusion we established the co-presence of ADHD in AD patients in the adult age group.

Serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in patients with Behcet's disease

BackgroundBehcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing, systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. There is an increased predisposition to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in BD patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in BD patients and healthy controls and to investigate their association with MetS.Patients and MethodsTwenty-five BD patients and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. Salusin-α and salusin-β levels were measured in blood samples using ELISA. In addition, BD patients and healthy controls were evaluated in terms of MetS.ResultsThe mean serum salusin-α level in BD patients was significantly lower compared to healthy controls (p = 0.03), whereas the mean serum salusin-β level in BD patients was significantly higher compared to healthy controls (p = 0.03). The mean serum salusin-α level was significantly lower in BD patients with MetS compared to BD patients without MetS (p = 0.04).ConclusionsSerum salusin-α level (an anti-atherogenic molecule) was lower, while serum salusin-β level (a pro-atherogenic molecule) was higher in BD patients. We consider that the decrease in salusin-α and the increase in salusin-β levels contribute to the development of MetS.

Metabolic Changes and Serum Ghrelin Level in Patients with Psoriasis

Background. Serum ghrelin levels may be related to metabolic and clinical changes in patients with psoriasis. Objective. This study was performed to determine the possible effects of serum ghrelin in patients with psoriasis. Methods. The study population consisted of 25 patients with plaque psoriasis. The patients were questioned with regard to age, gender, age of onset, duration of disease, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). In addition, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, cholesterol levels, insulin, and ghrelin levels were measured. Results. The mean serum ghrelin level was 45.41 ± 22.41 in the psoriasis group and 29.92 ± 14.65 in the healthy control group. Serum ghrelin level was significantly higher in the psoriasis group compared with the controls (P = 0.01). The mean ghrelin level in patients with a lower PASI score was significantly higher than in those with a higher PASI score (P = 0.02). Conclusion. The present study was performed to determine the effects of ghrelin in psoriasis patients. We found a negative correlation between severity of psoriasis and ghrelin level. Larger and especially experimental studies focusing on correlation of immune system-ghrelin levels and severity of psoriasis may be valuable to clarify the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

Serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in patients with psoriasis

Salusin is a bioactive peptide, discovered by Shichri et al.[1] in 2003. This multifunctional bioactive peptide is present in blood, urine and tissues in two forms: salusin-α and salusin-β. Salusins have important effects on the cardiovascular system. In particular, salusin-β is the most potent hypotensive peptide and has a vasodilator effect. This peptide induces hypotension, bradycardia and cardiac dysfunction through a cholinergic mechanism. Human salusins cause hypertrophy in vascular smooth [...]

Ghrelin in the pilosebaceous unit: alteration of ghrelin in patients with acne vulgaris

BackgroundGhrelin in the pilosebaceous tissues of human skin and ghrelin levels in patients with acne vulgaris have not yet been investigated.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to screen ghrelin immunoreactivity by immunohistochemistry in human pilosebaceous tissues of human skin and also to determine the quantities of ghrelin in the serum of the patients with acne vulgaris.Methods30 patients presenting with acne vulgaris and 30 control subjects participated in this study. Ghrelin levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Human hair follicles and sebaceous glands were immunohistochemically examined.ResultsImmunohistochemistry results showed that there is a strong ghrelin immunoreactivity in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands in sections of human skin. The mean serum ghrelin levels (27.58 ± 15.44 pg/mL) in patients with acne vulgaris was significantly lower than those of controls (35.62±20.46 pg/mL).ConclusionsGhrelin produced in hair follicles and sebaceous glands of the skin might participate in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris and also acne vulgaris in humans might be associated with decreased serum ghrelin.