Search

Evaluates the specialist registrar video-conference program established by the Scottish Dermatological Society in Scotland and in North East England. Aim of improving dermatological training; Topics discussed.

Nineteen patients with psoriasis vulgaris and no other cause for systemic complement activation were studied for evidence of such activation. There was a marked elevation in serum C5b-A9 complexes with no other significant complement abnormalities, and no correlation between C5b-A9 levels and disease activity. This is the most detailed study of complement in psoriasis yet attempted and confirms that complement activation is a feature of psoriasis vulgaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Psychocutaneous medicine concerns the recognition and treatment of psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity associated with dermatological diseases. A study in 2004 examining resources in the UK highlighted a number of deficiencies, and recommended that psychodermatology services be available, at least regionally, in the UK. Although there is now increased recognition of psychodermatology, this study of the availability of these services shows that provision has deteriorated since 2004. Aim To study the service provision of psychocutaneous medicine in the UK. Methods Consultants in dermatology units across the UK were asked to take part in an online survey, accessible via an emailed link. This consisted of 10 questions concerning availability of psychodermatology services and psychological support for patients within their local trusts, both in adult and in child and adolescent medicine. Basic percentages were used to analyse quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data. Results From 154 surveys, 127 responses were returned. The data indicated that despite frequently encountering patients who required psychological and psychiatric input, a large majority of UK dermatologists have inadequate access to appropriate support in their department. Importantly, this included the child and adolescent medicine and skin cancer departments, despite there being clear objectives for these services to be routinely available. Conclusions A lack of resources in psychocutaneous medicine was highlighted in 2004, and the situation has not improved, or is, if anything, worse. Essential access to psychiatric and psychological support for patients is not currently available in most dermatology departments across the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dermatoscopic features of classic lentigo maligna ( LM) are well described; however, there is little literature available on extrafacial LM, which is a less frequently reported condition. The skin architecture is especially rich in adnexae on sun-exposed areas such as the face, relative to other parts of the body, thus it is possible that the dermatoscopic findings of extrafacial LM will differ from the usual findings of LM. We carried out a dermatoscopic study on three patients with extrafacial LM. The dermatoscopic patterns reflected the underlying histological features of the disease, with increased melanocytes seen along the rete ridges and around follicular ostia, which result in a unique pigment network architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on a study related to dermatoscopic features of benign sebaceous proliferation. Sebaceous hyperplasia (SH) is a common and benign proliferation of sebaceous glands. In all lesions clinically diagnosed as SH there was a well-defined milky white structure on dermatoscopy, which we have termed the cumulus sign. This feature was difficult to photograph as the pressure exerted on lesions of SH with the dermaphot camera tended to flatten the cloud-like appearance which was more obvious clinically.

Background The calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate two-compound product Dovobet®/Daivobet®/Taclonex®(LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark) has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of psoriasis for up to 8 weeks. As psoriasis is a chronic disease, long-term treatment may be required, so there is a need to investigate the safety of its use over a longer period of time. Objectives To investigate the safety of two treatment regimens involving use of the two-compound product over 52 weeks in the treatment of patients with psoriasis. Methods Patients ( n = 634) were randomized double-blind to treatment with: (i) 52 weeks of the two-compound product (two-compound group); (ii) 52 weeks of alternating 4-week periods of the two-compound product and calcipotriol (alternating group); or (iii) 4 weeks of the two-compound product followed by 48 weeks of calcipotriol (calcipotriol group). Treatments in all groups were used once daily when required. Results Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) occurred in 45 (21·7%) patients in the two-compound group, 63 (29·6%) in the alternating group and 78 (37·9%) in the calcipotriol group. The odds ratio for an ADR in the two-compound group relative to the calcipotriol group was 0·46 (95% confidence interval 0·30–0·70; P < 0·001). ADRs of concern associated with long-term topical corticosteroid use occurred in 10 (4·8%) patients in the two-compound group, six (2·8%) in the alternating group and six (2·9%) in the calcipotriol group; those with the highest incidence were skin atrophy, occurring in four (1·9%), one (0·5%) and two (1·0%) patients, respectively, and folliculitis, in three (1·4%), one (0·5%) and no patients, respectively. Conclusions Treatment with the two-compound product for up to 52 weeks appears to be safe and well tolerated whether used on its own or alternating every 4 weeks with calcipotriol treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]