Dermatology Center Research Articles

P85 Genital psoriasis in Asians: impact on quality of life and sexual health

Abstract Genital involvement and sexual dysfunction are common amongst patients with psoriasis; however, most patients do not discuss their genital rashes or sexual health with their doctor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of genital psoriasis on quality of life (QoL) and sexual health in adult Asian psoriasis patients with genital psoriasis, an entity that is poorly understood, under-recognized and undertreated. We performed an observational study on adult Asian psoriasis patients attending psoriasis subspecialty clinics at a tertiary dermatology centre over 1 year. Participants underwent clinical examination of the whole-body surface, with particular attention to the genitalia, and questionnaires to evaluate QoL and psychosexual health were administered. Patients received a small renumeration for their participation. The study received no commercial funding. A total of 62 patients participated. Most participants were male (82.3%) and Chinese (59.7%) with a mean age of 41.7 years [standard deviation (SD) 12.5]. The commonest site involved was the suprapubis (61.3%). Perianal, glutaeal cleft and perineum involvement were more common amongst females (P < 0.05). The mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was 7.0 (SD 4.3) with a mean Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score of 9.8 (SD 6.7), indicating moderately impaired QoL. Higher PASI scores were associated with increasing QoL impairment on DLQI (P = 0.021). Males in whom genital psoriasis prevented sexual intercourse or diminished their libido reported more sexual dysfunction. Females reported greater severity in terms of symptomatic burden and feelings of embarrassment (P = 0.038) yet were less likely to be on treatment (37.5 vs. 45.0%). Perceived efficacy of treatment was low and younger patients fared poorer on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 depression questionnaire (P = 0.047). Genital involvement may be a key contributor to the lower QoL compared with psoriasis patients without genital involvement. Although patients desire more efficacious treatment, they may be reluctant to discuss their genital rashes or sexual health when not prompted leading to under-recognition and under-treatment, particularly amongst female patients. More studies need to be performed with age and gender-matched control groups using validated QoL and sexual health questionnaires for genital psoriasis. Nonetheless, clinicians should proactively evaluate for and treat genital psoriasis, as disease control has been shown to restore both QoL and sexual function.

Sporothrix brasiliensis as the major causative species of the zoonotic outbreak of human sporotrichosis in the Brazilian Amazon.

Sporotrichosis is a neglected tropical disease and the most common subcutaneous mycosis, mainly caused by Sporothrix species, particularly S. brasiliensis, S. schenckii and S. globosa, which exhibit varying biological behaviours and virulence. The epidemic of sporotrichosis in Brazil, initiated in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1990s, rapidly spread to other states, including Amazonas in 2021. This study aimed to identify the specific Sporothrix species responsible for the human sporotrichosis outbreak in the Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional study was conducted by enrolling clinically suspected cases of sporotrichosis attended at a reference dermatologic centre, in Manaus (Brazil). Biological material was collected from their skin lesions for culture (Mycosel) and for species identification (qPCR). Sporothrix cultures were obtained from 150 cases. Sporotrichosis predominantly affected females (67.3%), aged 44.5 years on average, with lymphocutaneous lesions (72.7%). Sporothrix brasiliensis was identified in 89.3% of patients. Up to 83.3% of these patients reported contact with cats previously to the skin lesion, and the time-spatial progression of the human cases followed the notification of cases in cats, in the metropolitan region of Manaus. Sporothrix brasiliensis is the dominant species in the zoonotic outbreak of human sporotrichosis in the Brazilian Amazon, with cats identified as the primary vectors. Effective sanitary control measures, education and responsible pet ownership are crucial to mitigating zoonotic sporotrichosis' impact in Brazil and preventing its spread to neighbouring Latin American cities.

Convolutional Neural Network Model for Skin Cancer Diagnosis in a Dermatological Center

Convolutional Neural Network Model for Skin Cancer Diagnosis in a Dermatological Center

Diagnosis and epidemiologic overview of the spectrum of skin diseases in Central, Northeast Ethiopia and Southern Ethiopia

This study analyzed data from hospitals located in three regions of Ethiopia: Addis Ababa, Northeastern Ethiopia, and Southern Ethiopia. The research aims to investigate the prevalence and contributing factors associated with skin diseases in these regions. Skin disorders represent a significant health concern in these areas, though their epidemiology differs markedly from that observed in Western countries. We collected data from 6,449 patients, considering factors like education, income, cultural habits, and access to healthcare. Patients in Southern Ethiopia generally had higher Body mass indexes and incomes and were closer to dermatology centers. The findings indicate that infectious diseases and pruritic dermatoses are the most prevalent skin conditions in all regions. The study highlights the significant impact of socio-economic status on skin health, with higher education correlating with a lower incidence of infectious diseases and sebaceous gland disorders. Overcrowding was associated with a higher occurrence of infectious diseases, emphasizing the importance of hygiene and sanitary conditions. Additionally, the distance from a patient’s residence to the hospital influenced the duration of the disease, stressing the need for better accessibility to healthcare services. In conclusion, this research offers important insights into the spectrum of skin diseases in Ethiopia, emphasizing the role of socio-economic factors and the critical need for improved healthcare access and education.

Characteristics of Patients with Generalized Pustular Psoriasis: A Report of the Polish Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Group.

Data on generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) in Poland are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of Polish patients with GPP. In addition, the effect of the frequency of disease flares and the concomitant presence of psoriasis vulgaris (PV) on patient characteristics was evaluated. In this retrospective study, medical records of patients hospitalized for GPP in dermatology departments of the Polish Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Group were analyzed. A total of 90 patients from 14 dermatology centers were included. The median age of patients was 59 (range, 5-85) years, and most patients were female (68.9%). The most common comorbidity was hypertension (43.3%), followed by cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. The median duration of GPP was 3 years, and the median number of flares was 2. Hospitalization was required in 67% of flares. The main triggering factors were drugs (20.5%) and infections (19.3%). Women and men with GPP differed in terms of age (p < 0.01), distribution of comorbidities, and selected triggering factors (stress: p < 0.05). Almost 25% of patients experienced more than one flare per year. Patients with different frequency of flares did not differ significantly in age, sex distribution, or comorbidities, but those with a higher frequency of flares had a shorter disease duration (median: 0.6 vs. 4.0 years; p < 0.01). In 59.1% of patients, GPP was accompanied by PV. Patients with GPP and PV were younger than those with GPP alone (median: 48.0 vs. 66.0 years; p < 0.01). In this study, the general demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with GPP were consistent with those described in other studies. However, a high rate of flares requiring hospitalization and a significant percentage of patients experiencing more than one flare per year indicate the unmet need in the management of patients with GPP.

Tuscany consensus for pediatric scabies: update on clinical management and the urgent need for new guidelines.

The aim of this study was to assess the degree of agreement among pediatric dermatologists in Tuscany concerning different aspects of scabies infestation management in children, employing the Delphi method. We conducted a Delphi study involving ten pediatric dermatology centers in Tuscany, Italy. Questionnaires were distributed to a panel of experts anonymously. The questionnaires were organized into six specific topics: "diagnosis," "hygiene measures," "application of topical products," "treatment," "treatment of exposed individuals," and "clinical follow-up after therapy." Each question within these topics offered six different response options. All participating dermatologists completed the two-round questionnaire. Full consensus was reached for all statements related to "diagnosis," "hygiene measures," "treatment of exposed individuals," "application of topical products," and "clinical follow-up after therapy," since each statement met the predetermined consensus threshold of 70% or higher. However, we could not achieve a substantial consensus on the treatment of scabies, aside from agreement on the lower efficacy of permethrin therapy. Considering the growing recognition of Sarcoptes scabiei resistance to conventional permethrin therapy, this regional consensus offers clear insights into the overall management of scabies. However, it also reveals that each dermatologist primarily relies on their own experiences for medical treatment, which may not be universally shared among colleagues. This emphasizes the urgent necessity for updated guidelines on therapeutic strategies.

Plasmapheresis in the treatment of post-COVID syndrome in dermatology. Case report

The relevance of studying the impact of coronavirus infection on the development and course of autoimmune diseases is due to an increase in the incidence of COVID-19 infection, which is confirmed by reliable data from recent large-scale studies. The trigger mechanisms of autoimmune disorders, particularly those with dermatological manifestations, have been well studied. COVID-19 significantly increases not only the risk of manifestation of autoimmune diseases but also the transformation of a preexisting disorder into severe, atypical, and resistant to standard therapy forms. The article analyzes the data of patients with psoriasis treated in a day hospital from 2021 to 2023 at the affiliate of the Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatology, Venereology and Cosmetology “V.G. Korolenko Clinic” with exacerbation or onset of the disease reliably associated with a history of coronavirus infection. It is a clinically significant issue since there is a pathomorphosis of a typical pattern of exacerbations: the area of skin lesions increases, exudative and toxicoallergic components are manifested; psoriasis is torpid, which requires the development of individual algorithms for the treatment of patients with psoriasis and post-COVID syndrome, considering the mechanisms of this condition development. An essential aspect in the analysis of this sample of patients was the assessment of general somatic comorbidity, which requires a multidisciplinary approach in selecting therapy to comply with modern criteria for quality treatment, namely its maximum effectiveness and safety.

Remote cutaneous confocal microscopy: A multicentric prospective study evaluating diagnostic accuracy for melanoma and keratinocyte carcinoma in tertiary settings

Cutaneous confocal microscopy (CCM) facilitates invivo visualization of skin at a cellular level. Use of a "store and forward" approach for remote-CCM interpretation (remote-CCM) across multiple sites has not been tested and may increase access to noninvasive diagnosis. To test the diagnostic accuracy and safety of remote-CCM. We prospectively recruited lesions selected for biopsy for skin malignancy across 5 Australian tertiary dermatology centers. CCM, clinical and dermatoscopy images were acquired prebiopsy and accessed by a cloud-based platform for interpretation by CCM readers. CCM diagnosis was compared with histopathology results. Among the 201 lesions included, melanoma was the most common malignancy (34/72, 47.2%). Of the 89 lesions (44.8%) potentially "saved" from biopsy, 80 (90%) were truly benign lesions and 9 (10.1%) were missed malignant lesions of melanoma in situ (n=7) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (n=2). No invasive melanomas were missed. Sensitivity of remote-CCM for detection of malignancy was 89% (95% CI, 79%-95%) and specificity was 64% (95% CI, 55%-73%). The study recruited from high-risk populations and excluded lesions that were not biopsied. Remote-CCM has comparable accuracy to bedside CCM and safely reduces unnecessary biopsies. Potential SCCs are not appropriate for remote-CCM. Follow-up of borderline melanocytic lesions is recommended.

Prevalence and Predictors of Inflammatory Arthritis in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, debilitating, auto-inflammatory condition often associated with inflammatory arthritis, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Early diagnosis of both conditions is crucial for optimal management. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the development of inflammatory arthritis among HS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and February 2023 at an academic dermatology centre in Canada. Adult patients with HS were consecutively sampled, and 52 patients consented to participate and completed assessments. Variables examined included age, sex, HS severity, treatment, ethnicity, family history, lifestyle factors and comorbidities. The main outcomes were rheumatologist-confirmed inflammatory arthritis diagnosis and associated risk factors. Among 52 patients (24 males, 28 females; mean age: 37.4 years), 12 had inflammatory arthritis. Multivariate analysis revealed that Blacks (OR = 0.10, p < 0.001, CI: 0.026-0.343) and Asians (OR = 0.02, p < 0.001, CI: 0.005-0.109) had lower inflammatory arthritis odds compared to Whites. Every 1-year increase in age at HS onset correlated with a 1.17-fold increase in the odds of developing inflammatory arthritis (OR: 1.17, p < 0.001, CI: 1.12-1.24). Smoking (OR = 0.01, p < 0.001, CI: 0.002-0.49), hypertension (OR: 0.23, p = 0.04, CI: 0.057-0.930) and depression (OR: 0.12, p < 0.001, CI: 0.041-0.330) reduced inflammatory arthritis odds. White ethnicity and older age at HS onset were positively associated with inflammatory arthritis, while smoking, hypertension and depression were negatively associated. These findings suggest a distinct subset of HS patients with inflammatory arthritis that warrant further prospective studies. This study contributes to the understanding of inflammatory arthritis in HS patients and emphasises the importance of rheumatology referral during dermatologic clinic visits.

Phototesting for a variety of skin conditions before narrowband (TL-01) Ultraviolet-B

Background: For the majority of photo responsive skin disorders, narrowband ultraviolet-B (NBUV-B) phototherapy is currently regarded as the preferred option. The initial dosage of NBUV-B phototherapy is determined as a percentage of the minimal erythema dose (MED) at the majority of dermatology centers that offer phototherapy. This will shorten the time of therapy and lower the chance of burning while optimizing the therapeutic effect. Three times a week is the usual dosage for NBUV-B phototherapy treatment, which takes 18 to 30 sessions on average to clear the condition. For these types of treatment plans, a precise evaluation of the MED is necessary before starting treatment in order to prevent NBUV-B overdoses or underdoses. Aim: The objective of this study is to investigate the MED of 311nm NBUV-B phototherapy in a group of Libyan patients. Methods: For this prospective study, 150 patients with a range of skin conditions who saw the phototherapy unit at Bir Usta Melad Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology in Tripoli, Libya over an 8-month period were enrolled. Skin conditions include vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis are among those being researched. Using Fitzpatrick's questionnaire, skin types were assigned to each patient. Using a MED tester instrument (Dermalight® 80), 311 nm NBUV-B was applied to the right forearm. The test findings were recorded 24 hours later. Results: Of the patients studied, 82 (54.7%) were female and 68 (45.3%) were male. Their ages ranged from 10 to 60 years, with 30% of the sample falling between the ages of 31 and 40. The patients were clinically diagnosed with the following conditions: vitiligo 65(43.3%), psoriasis 61(40.7%), eczema 8(5.3%), pruritus 6(4%), and alopecia areata and lichen planus 5(3.3%) each. According to Fitzpatrick's categorization, the skin prototypes in the included series were 15(10%) patients of skin type III, 118(78.7%) patients of skin type IV, and 17(11.3%) patients of skin type V. Among the enrolled participants, the minimum necessary dose to elicit an erythema for NBUV-B ranged between 300 mJ/cm2 and 750 mJ/cm2, with the mean dosage was 484.7 ± 82.2 mJ/cm2. Conclusions: The average MED to 311nm NBUV-B in Libyan patients was around 500 mJ/cm2, which can be utilized to determine the initial dose and treatment regimen of phototherapy for various skin conditions.

Predicting the Time to Relapse Following Withdrawal from Different Biologics in Patients with Psoriasis who Responded to Therapy: A 12-Year Multicenter Cohort Study.

For patients with psoriasis, discontinuation of biologics following remission has become more common in daily practice. We aimed to identify predictors and construct a predictive model for time to relapse following withdrawal from biologics. This 12-year, multicenter, observational cohort study was performed in six dermatology centers between February 2011 and February 2024. We identified biological treatment episodes in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and included only treatment episodes in which a clinical response (≥50% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score [PASI 50] from baseline) was achieved and the patient withdrew from biological therapy with a well-controlled status (PASI <10 and ≥50% improvement in PASI from baseline). The primary outcome was time to relapse, which was defined as the period from the last biologic administration to relapse. An extended multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis (Prentice-Williams-Peterson Gap time model) was used to predict relapse and generate a predictive model. This study screened 1613 biological treatment episodes, and 991 treatment episodes were enrolled. The time to relapse decreased significantly as the number of previous withdrawals from biological treatment increased (p < 0.001). Similarly, the time to relapse decreased significantly as the number of previous biologics used increased (p < 0.001). The maximum PASI improvement during biological treatment decreased and the PASI score at withdrawal of biological treatment increased in parallel as the number of prior withdrawals from biologics increased. The time to relapse following withdrawal was longest for interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitors (IL-23i), followed by the IL-12/23i, IL-17 inhibitors (IL-17i), and tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. After adjustment, multivariate Cox regression identified the following significant predictors of relapse following withdrawal: the mechanisms of action of biologics (hazard ratio [HR] for IL-17i vs IL-12/23i, 1.59; HR for IL-23i vs IL-12/23i, 0.60), number of previous withdrawals from biological treatment (HR 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13‒1.33), time to achieve PASI 50 (HR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00‒1.02), maximum PASI improvement on biologics (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.98‒0.99), and PASI at the end of therapy (HR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01‒1.05). The model had good predictive and discriminative ability. These results have the potential to help physicians and patients make individualized treatment decisions; information on the risk of relapse of psoriasis at specific timepoints following the withdrawal of biologics is particularly valuable for patients considering discontinuation of biologics or as-needed biologic therapy. However, the benefit and risk of repeated withdrawals of biologics should be carefully weighed, as the treatment efficacy and duration of remission decline as the number of withdrawals increases.

Efficacy and safety of systemic spironolactone for acne in female patients in Sulaymaniyah teaching center of dermatology

Background and objectives: Acne vulgaris is a common disease in which hormone plays a role in its pathogenesis. Spironolactone, an androgen receptor blocker is used to treat acne. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic spironolactone for acne in female patients in our local area. Methods: Open-label therapeutic trial study performed in the Sulaymaniyah teaching center of dermatology between 1/2/2022 - 1/9/2022, on a total of 47 patients aged 12-38 years old. Patients were divided into two groups in regard to age. Hormonal profile was assessed for all the patients. The 4-grade European classification system was used to classify the acne severity. Spironolactone 100 mg once daily at morning was given to them with follow up monthly for 3 months. Clinical response of the drug was assessed through a decrease in the number of the lesions. Signs and symptoms of the side effects were checked monthly. Results: In a total of 47 patients, 22 patients were ? 25 years and 25 patients were &gt;25 years. A significant difference was recorded in the response rate among the patients' ages and hormonal status of them as 83.3%, 61.1% and 50% of the complete response was in those who were &gt;25 years old and had abnormal testosterone and DHEA-s levels respectively. 100% of non-responder patients were below 25 years old with normal hormonal levels. 55.32% of the patients had no side-effect and menstrual irregularity was the most commonly reported side effect. Conclusion: Spironolactone is statistically considered an effective and safe line for the treatment of acne vulgaris particularly for acne in female over 25 with abnormal hormonal levels.

Silencing siRNA microneedle patches versus silicone sheets in reducing post-surgical scars: a randomized single-blinded intra-individually controlled clinical trial.

A common complication of wounds is exuberant growth of fibrotic scar tissue, which can lead to hypertrophic scars or keloids. There are currently no treatments with good evidence for preventing excessive scar tissue formation. In this study, we explored the use of microneedle patches containing siRNA inhibiting SPARC mRNA in reducing the volume of post-surgical scars. We aim to compare the differences in the volume of post-surgical scars between daily application of siRNA-embedded dissolving microneedle patches and silicone sheets. The primary study outcome measure was the 3D volume of scar elevation.Our hypothesis was that scar formation in the half of the wound treated with siRNA microneedle patches will be lesser, as reflected by a smaller 3D volume, as compared to the half treated with silicone sheets. This was an 8-week, single-blinded intra-individually controlled randomised trial in a tertiary dermatological centre. Patients with two-week-old post-operative wounds were recruited. Each half of the scar was randomly assigned to the microneedle patch or silicone sheet. Three-dimensional (3D) volumes were obtained from the scars via a high-resolution scanner at day 0, 30 and 60. At day 30, scars treated with the microneedle patches had a lower geometric mean volume of 0.79mm3 when compared to scars treated with silicone sheets, with a difference in mean percentage volume reduction of 10.70%.At day 60, scars treated with the microneedle patches had a statistically significant lower volume (8.88mm3) when compared to the side treated with silicone sheets (12.77mm3, p=0.005), with a difference in mean percentage reduction of 9.66%. Additionally, there was also a statistically significant difference between the percentage reduction in scar volume, compared to baseline, on the side treated with microneedle patches (mean=83.78%) compared to the side treated with silicone sheets (mean=74.11%). There was a significantly greater reduction in the volume of post-surgical scars on the side treated with microneedle patches compared to the side treated with silicone sheets. This demonstrates the use of transdermal gene silencing technology for scar inhibition and that siRNA microneedle patches can be an effective and safe modality in the reduction of scar tissue formation. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN12622000558729, https://www.anzctr.org.au.

[Translated article] Bibliometric Study of the Advances Made in Clinical Dermatological Research in Spain from 2015 through 2021: Update of the MaIND Project and Interactive Online Map

IntroductionA clinical dermatological research was conducted in Spain from 2005 through 2014 as part of the MaIND project with the provinces or centers with the highest number of published articles. However, a low level of evidence in scientific production was confirmed as the overall result. The aim of this study is to update the Spanish clinical dermatological research in bibliometric terms from 2015 through 2021 with comparisons between both periods of time. Material and methodsWe conducted a bibliometric study to replicate the methodology used in the article to be updated. We included articles whose corresponding authors’ affiliation was a Spanish dermatological center, which met the criteria for clinical research in dermatology, including a level of evidence ≤4. ResultsA total of 1,674 out of the 10,199 articles met the inclusion criteria. An interactive map representing quantitative and qualitative indicators calculated for the 2005-2021 is presented here. In the study period, we found an increasing trend both in the number of published articles (P<.002) and in the mean number of citation-years per article (P<.01). A total of 22 of the articles had a level of evidence >4, with a positive trend towards more articles having a higher level of evidence (P<.03). ACTAS DERMOSIFILOGRÁFICAS still maintains its position as the journal with the highest number of articles received (18%, a total of 302 articles). ConclusionsThe results of this study show that, in Spain, the scientific production of dermatology represents an upward trend in quantity, impact, and level of evidence.

Laser hair removal complications and the associated risk factors at a tertiary dermatology center: a case-control study.

Laser hair removal (LHR) has been established as a safe and efficient method for eliminating unwanted hair. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of LHR complications and assess the contributing factors. During one year, 16,900 patients undergoing LHR therapy were evaluated for complications. For each case, two external controls were selected (matched based on age, sex, Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) III-IV, and the treated anatomical region). To assess the impact of anatomical region on complication occurrence, each patient was used as their internal control if another area was treated during the same session. GEE analysis was used for statistical analysis.The incidence of LHR complications was calculated to be 0.69%. The most common complications were petechia, purpura, and ecchymosis (31.66%) followed by pigmentation changes (20.0%). LHR complications were most commonly observed in the lower limbs (32.0%), face and neck (23.3%), and genitalia and thighs (22.3%), respectively. Possible risk factors were younger age (OR = 0.74, P-value ≤ 0.001), operating LHR in the head and neck (OR = 5.8, P-value = 0.022), utilization of the alexandrite laser (OR = 2.32, P-value = 0.011), and fluence in the Alexandrite laser (OR = 3.47, P-value = 0.003).Overall,the results of this study indicate that LHR is generally a safe method for removing unwanted hair. However, factors such as younger age, treatment of the facial area, and use of the alexandrite laser especially with higher fluence levels in patients with FST III-IV were identified as potential risk factors.

The SLICE-3D dataset: 400,000 skin lesion image crops extracted from 3D TBP for skin cancer detection

AI image classification algorithms have shown promising results when applied to skin cancer detection. Most public skin cancer image datasets are comprised of dermoscopic photos and are limited by selection bias, lack of standardization, and lend themselves to development of algorithms that can only be used by skilled clinicians. The SLICE-3D (“Skin Lesion Image Crops Extracted from 3D TBP”) dataset described here addresses those concerns and contains images of over 400,000 distinct skin lesions from seven dermatologic centers from around the world. De-identified images were systematically extracted from sensitive 3D Total Body Photographs and are comparable in optical resolution to smartphone images. Algorithms trained on lower quality images could improve clinical workflows and detect skin cancers earlier if deployed in primary care or non-clinical settings, where photos are captured by non-expert physicians or patients. Such a tool could prompt individuals to visit a specialized dermatologist. This dataset circumvents many inherent limitations of prior datasets and may be used to build upon previous applications of skin imaging for cancer detection.

To assess the attitudes of Irish patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic and healthcare staff employed in an academic hospital to biobanking, a quantitative study

AbstractBackgroundA Biobank is a collection of biospecimens or biological samples and corresponding patient data points which are used for the purposes of medical research. Patient participation and support is imperative to biobank research.ObjectivesWe aim to quantitatively assess the attitudes of Irish patients attending a pigmented lesion clinic (PLC) in an Irish dermatology centre and staff working at an academic teaching hospital, to biobanking.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed to Healthcare staff working in an Academic Hospital and members of the Irish Association of Dermatology via their hospital email address. Patients who attended PLC January–April 2023, and patients previously diagnosed with melanoma January 2019–January 2021 were asked to complete the questionnaire. Respondents from a market research company, Bounce insights, was sent a modified questionnaire via a survey.ResultsIn total there were 426 respondents of ages; 16–&lt;18 years = 31 (7%), 18–35 years = 105 (25%), 36–65 years = 191 (45%) and &gt;65 years = 99 (23%). There were 166 (39%) males and 260 (61%) females. Of the 426 total respondents there were 180 (42%) previous healthcare workers. The number of total participants who were aware of biobanks was 130 (31%), no = 283 (66%), not sure = 13 (3%). Over 20% (84) of participants had donated a biospecimen previously. Healthcare workers reported a positive response in 84% (102) but only 46% (72) of the Bounce marketing respondents felt similarly (p = &lt;0.001). Over 60% of healthcare staff, 16% of all patients and 21% of the Bounce marketing group were aware of Biobanks. In total 83% (352) of all respondents were willing to donate a biospecimen following a medical procedure but 78% (331) were willing to donate an additional blood sample and that number fell to 57% (242) when asked if they would donate an additional tissue sample purely for the purposes of research. The number who would encourage a family member to donate a biospecimen was; yes = 241 (56.5%), no = 41 (9.6%) and not sure = 144 (34%). Interestingly age was related to individuals' initial impression of biobanks (X2 (6, N = 426) = 32, p = &lt;0.001), to a willingness to donate a biospecimen (p = &lt;0.039) and to a desire to be informed if their specimen was disposed of (p = &lt;0.001).ConclusionsIn Ireland, the majority of patients, healthcare workers and other members of the public are willing to donate biospecimens for the purposes of research.

Models for predicting the risk of illness in leprosy contacts in Brazil: Leprosy prediction models in Brazilian contacts.

This study aims to develop and validate predictive models that assess the risk of leprosy development among contacts, contributing to an enhanced understanding of disease occurrence in this population. A cohort of 600 contacts of people with leprosy treated at the National Reference Center for Leprosy and Health Dermatology at the Federal University of Uberlândia (CREDESH/HC-UFU) was followed up between 2002 and 2022. The database was divided into two parts: two-third to construct the disease risk score and one-third to validate this score. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to construct the disease score. Of the four models constructed, model 3, which included the variables anti-phenolic glycolipid I immunoglobulin M positive, absence of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine scar and age ≥60 years, was considered the best for identifying a higher risk of illness, with a specificity of 89.2%, a positive predictive value of 60% and an accuracy of 78%. Risk prediction models can contribute to the management of leprosy contacts and the systematisation of contact surveillance protocols.

Acne Keloidalis Nuchae: A Multicenter Retrospective Study of 142 Hispanic Patients.

Acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) is a primary cicatricial alopecia with mixed infiltrate. It is more common in Africans or persons of African descent. Our objective was to describe the epidemiology and clinical and trichoscopic presentations of AKN in a large series of Hispanic patients. This was a retrospective study from 10 different dermatological centers in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of AKN treated by 12 dermatologists experienced in trichology from 2018 to 2022 were included. The Umar classification system was used to determine severity. We identified 142 patients with AKN: 98% were male (n=140) with a mean age of 32 years; 108 patients had a previous history of trauma to the nuchal area (76%, P < 0.001); and 48 were positive for a history of acne (33.8%, P = 0.021). Patients with >50 months of evolution were mainly classified in classes III and IV compared to patients with an evolution of <50 months (30%, n=9 vs. 14%, n=15; P = 0.019; respectively). AKN should be considered in the differential diagnosis in the Hispanic population. Advanced stages of the disease are correlated with chronic evolution.

Hidradenitis suppurativa: clinical features, comorbidities and quality of life in Colombia

Introduction: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that manifests in the form of painful and recurrent and suppurating lesions. In Colombia, there is little epidemiological information on this pathology. This study aims to describe the severity of symptoms, sociodemographic factors and quality of life of HS patients in Colombia. Material and Methods: This is an exploratory, multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study conducted in 8 dermatology centers in Colombia. Results: Several parameters were collected from 90 patients: 23.3% of the patients were classified as Hurley stage I, 42.2% as stage II, and 34.4% as stage III. Patients classified within Hurley's stage III severity had the highest mean BMI (30.2 kg/m2). The mean time elapsed from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 64.6 months and the mean to the start of treatment from diagnosis was 1.7 months. Comorbidities were frequent, with obesity being the most common (38.9%). Regarding quality of life, a statistically significant difference was found in the DLQI from Hurley’s severity index (p-value=0.0056), in the utility index relative to the Hurley severity index (p-value=0.011) and in the EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale (EQ-5D-5L-VAS; p-value=0.001). Conclusions: As in all other countries, in Colombia, patients with hidradenitis suppurativa require early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment. This study can be used to help physicians gain a better understanding of the disease, which could lead to better patient management.