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Objectives: The purpose of this multicenter randomized trial was to compare total mortality during therapy with amiodarone or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT).Background: Whether an ICD reduces mortality more than amiodarone in patients with NIDCM and NSVT is unknown.Methods: One hundred three patients with NIDCM, left ventricular ejection fraction < or =0.35, and asymptomatic NSVT were randomized to receive either amiodarone or an ICD. The primary end point was total mortality. Secondary end points included arrhythmia-free survival, quality of life, and costs.Results: The study was stopped when the prospective stopping rule for futility was reached. The percent of patients surviving at one year (90% vs. 96%) and three years (88% vs. 87%) in the amiodarone and ICD groups, respectively, were not statistically different (p = 0.8). Quality of life was also similar with each therapy (p = NS). There was a trend with amiodarone, as compared to the ICD, towards improved arrhythmia-free survival (p = 0.1) and lower costs during the first year of therapy ($8,879 US dollars vs. $22,039 US dollars, p = 0.1).Conclusions: Mortality and quality of life in patients with NIDCM and NSVT treated with amiodarone or an ICD are not statistically different. There is a trend towards a more beneficial cost profile and improved arrhythmia-free survival with amiodarone therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Coma blisters are epidermal and subepidermal bullous lesions that can arise throughout the body after a prolonged impairment of consciousness. Coma blister-like lesions have been well-documented in adults after barbiturate-induced intoxication. More recently, other drugs and substances have been associated with the development of these bullae, which has broadened the scope of medications that put patients at risk of developing coma blister-like lesions. We present a unique case of a noncomatose patient who developed coma blister-like lesions after trazodone misuse. This case illustrates the need to further investigate the mechanism behind drug-induced coma bullae-like lesions so that clinicians can better identify and discontinue drugs that precipitate such lesions., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Across the board, common dermatologic conditions disproportionately affect patients of color. While the causes of these disparities have been tied to the environment, societal structure, access to care, health literacy, and biological factors, there is limited understanding of the extent and impact of dermatologic healthcare inequity. This study provides a resource on the epidemiology of common dermatologic diseases across racial lines and points out current lapses in scientific understanding of the disparate impact of certain conditions.&nbsp;This study will review epidemiological data on atopic dermatitis (AD), adult acne, pseudofolliculitis, dermatophytosis, psoriasis, vitiligo, melasma, hyperpigmentation, keloids, hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(11):e21-e23&nbsp; &nbsp; doi:10.36849/JDD.7131e.

Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: C. Bitar received institutional research funding from Amgen. The remaining authors have no relevant conflicts of interest.

Importance: Cutaneous disease in dermatomyositis has no standardized treatment approach and so presents a challenging task for patients and clinicians., Objective: To study the efficacy and safety of apremilast as an add-on therapy in patients with recalcitrant cutaneous dermatomyositis., Design, Setting, and Participants: This phase 2a, open-label, single-arm nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted at a single center from June 2018 to June 2021. Participants were 8 patients with recalcitrant cutaneous dermatomyositis, defined by a cutaneous disease activity severity index (CDASI) score greater than 5 despite treatment with steroids, steroid-sparing agents, or both. Data were analyzed from June 2018 to June 2021., Interventions: Apremilast 30 mg orally twice daily was added to ongoing treatment regimens., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the overall response rate (ORR) at 3 months. Key secondary outcomes were the safety and toxicity of apremilast and the durability of response at 6 months. The CDASI, muscle score, dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and depression assessments were performed at baseline and regularly until month 7. Skin biopsies were performed at baseline and 3 months after apremilast (defined as 3 months into active apremilast therapy) and tested for gene expression profiling and immunohistochemical stains. Adverse events were assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0., Results: Among 8 patients with recalcitrant cutaneous dermatomyositis (all women; mean [SD] age, 54 [15.9] years), a response was found at 3 months after apremilast among 7 patients (ORR, 87.5%). The mean (SD) decrease in CDASI was 12.9 (6.3) points at 3 months (P < .001). Apremilast was well tolerated, with no grade 3 or higher adverse events. Sequencing of RNA was performed on skin biopsies taken from 7 patients at baseline and at 3 months after therapy. Appropriate negative (ie, no primary antibody) and positive (ie, tonsil and spleen) controls were stained in parallel with each set of slides studied. Of 39 076 expressed genes, there were 195 whose expression changed 2-fold or more at P < .01 (123 downregulated and 72 upregulated genes). Gene set enrichment analysis identified 13 pathways in which apremilast was associated with downregulated expression, notably signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1), STAT3, interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, interferon γ (IFNγ), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) pathways. In immunohistochemical staining, there was a mean (SD) decrease in phosphorylation levels STAT1 (22.3% [28.3%] positive cells) and STAT3 (13.4% [11.6%] positive cells) at the protein level, a downstream signaling pathway for the downregulated cytokines., Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that apremilast was a safe and efficacious add-on treatment in recalcitrant dermatomyositis, with an overall response rate of 87.5% and associations with downregulation of multiple inflammatory pathways., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03529955.

Background: We analysed the long-term revision rate, clinical outcomes and metal ion concentrations in blood over time in patients who had undergone metal-on-metal Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) hip arthroplasty., Methods: A total of 38 patients (43 hips) were included: 24 patients (28 hips) underwent large-head total hip arthroplasty (XL THA), and 14 patients (15 hips) underwent hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA). The median follow-up time was 11 (range 7-12) years., Results: None of 15 HRA implants were revised. Nine of 28 XL THA implants (32%) in 8 patients were revised. The Co ion levels significantly increased in the XL THA group (p=0.009) over a median time period of 84 (25-97) months., Conclusion: The levels of Co ions in blood were higher in the patients who had undergone XL THA and increased significantly over time., Competing Interests: Volker Otten declared following competing interests: Speakers bureau/paid presentations for company or supplier: Johnson & Johnson DePuy, Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG, Smith & Nephew AB. All other authors declared that they have no competing interests, or other interests that might be perceived to influence the results and/or discussion reported in this paper., (© 2022 The Authors.)

Accurate diagnosis of connective tissue diseases is often challenging, and relies upon careful correlation between clinical and histopathological features, direct immunofluorescence studies and laboratory work-up. Lupus erythematosus (LE) is a prototype of connective tissue disease with a variety of cutaneous and systemic manifestations. Microscopically, cutaneous LE is classically characterised by an interface dermatitis although other histopathological patterns also exist, depending upon the clinical presentation, location and chronicity of the skin lesions. In this article, we review the clinical, serological, histopathological and direct immunofluorescence findings in LE-specific and LE non-specific skin lesions, with an emphasis upon lesser-known variants, newly described features and helpful ancillary studies. This review will guide general pathologists and dermatopathologists in accurately diagnosing and subclassifying cutaneous LE., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) comprises a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with variable clinical behavior. Immunophenotypic switch (IS) is a phenomenon that occurs during lymphoma progression and is defined by an alteration in the immunophenotypic expression of a tumor with retention of its genotypic signature. This has been well-recognized in hematopoietic neoplasms; however, it has been rarely reported in CTCL and its clinical implications are not well understood. We present the clinical, histopathologic, immunophenotypic, and genetic findings of three cases of CTCL that demonstrated IS post treatment with variable outcomes. We add our cases to the small number previously reported to increase awareness of this phenomenon and its diagnostic challenge., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: Linear morphea is an inflammatory condition that is often treated with systemic glucocorticoids and methotrexate, with mycophenolate mofetil being used as an alternative agent. However, there are few published reports on beneficial effect of abatacept for refractory disease. We present a case of a woman in her 30s who presented with linear morphea on her scalp, with a notable response following the addition of subcutaneous abatacept., Methods: Computational analysis was performed comparing the immune cell scores of skin biopsies from 5 morphea skin biopsies from 3 unique patients and 15 healthy control skin biopsies. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Immune cell scores demonstrated a statistically significant enrichment of activated CD4 memory T cells, M1 macrophages, monocytes, and memory B cells comparing skin biopsies of morphea vs healthy controls (p < 0.05 for all)., Discussion: Abatacept may be considered for recalcitrant cases of morphea. Our computational analysis supports a well-designed study to assess abatacept as first line therapy.

Cutaneous manifestations are common across the spectrum of autoimmune diseases. Connective tissue diseases manifesting in the skin are often difficult to classify and require integration of clinical, histopathologic, and serologic findings. This review focuses on the current understanding of the molecular and immune drivers involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma/systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease. Recent research advances have led to the emergence of new ancillary tools and useful diagnostic clues of which dermatopathologists should be aware to improve diagnostic accuracy for these diseases., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors have nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Total hip arthroplasty is the traditional treatment for osteoarthritis in the hip joint. Hip resurfacing arthroplasty, with metal on metal bearing, is a modern concept initially developed mainly for young active people. The metal-on-metal hip arthroplasty implant, Articular Surface Replacement (ASR), was implanted in approximately 93,000 patients before it was recalled in 2010 due to a high complication rate. This study aimed to evaluate patients' own experiences living with an implant that they knew had a high complication rate and had been recalled from the market., Methods: A total of 14 patients, still living with the implant, of a cohort of 34 patients were available for follow-up. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 patients where a majority actively sought for metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA), and subsequently underwent HRA with an ASR prosthesis between 11/21/2006 and 09/28/2009. The responses were analyzed using content analysis described by Graneheim and Lundman to compress text and identify categories and subcategories., Results: The results showed that most patients had already decided that they wanted a metal-on-metal HRA implant before meeting the surgeon. They expressed that the implant made it possible to live an active life. A majority did not think about the fact that they had a hip implant, because they lacked subjective pain. Most of the patients were positive about the annual exams at the hospital and wanted them to continue. None of them felt that their trust towards the healthcare system had changed after the implant recall. They expressed a belief that they would need new surgery sooner than they first thought., Conclusions: Despite all the attention when the ASR prosthesis was recalled, patients with ASR-HRA did not report themselves negatively affected by the recall in this group of patients where a majority had actively sought for an HRA procedure. The healthcare system has an obligation to continue the annual exams, even if the implant provider does not continue reimbursement.

Acute graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) is a T cell-mediated reaction in which donor T lymphocytes attack host tissue in the setting of immunosuppression. The most common cause of acute GVHD is allogeneic stem cell transplantation, with solid-organ transplantation being a much less common cause. Early diagnosis and treatment are imperative to decrease morbidity and mortality. Dermatologists play a fundamental role in the diagnosis of this condition because skin involvement is among the earliest signs of acute GVHD. We present a case of acute GVHD following liver transplantation, focusing on diagnostic criteria and a comparison to acute GVHD following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Importance: Ibrutinib, a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a new targeted agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), mantle cell lymphoma, and Waldenström macroglobulinemia. Ibrutinib is overall well tolerated but long-term treatment is required until disease progression or intolerable toxic effects occur. Little is known regarding its cutaneous adverse effects., Objective: To describe the hair and nail manifestations associated with the long-term use of ibrutinib for the treatment of CLL., Design, Setting, and Participants: Prospective study of 66 patients with CLL enrolled in a single-arm phase 2 clinical trial of ibrutinib for CLL between March 2014 and October 2015 at the National Institutes of Health., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome, nail and hair changes associated with ibrutinib therapy, was assessed by an 11-question survey. In addition, the severity of nail changes was determined from a 0 to 3 rating scale for both onychoschizia and onychorrhexis., Results: Among 66 patients (43 men and 23 women with ages ranging from 55 to 85 years), 44 (67%) reported brittle fingernails at a median of 6.5 (95% CI, 6-12) months after starting ibrutinib therapy. Fifteen patients (23%) developed brittle toenails after a median of 9 (95% CI, 6-15) months of ibrutinib therapy. Textural hair changes were reported in 17 patients (26%), at a median of 9 (95% CI, 6-12) months of ibrutinib treatment., Conclusions and Relevance: Hair and nail abnormalities are commonly associated with ibrutinib and appear several months after initiating therapy. Ibrutinib inhibits Bruton tyrosine kinase by covalently binding to cysteine 481. Whether ibrutinib affects the hair and nails by binding and altering cysteine-rich proteins of hair and nails or by means of another mechanism remains unknown., Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01500733.

Background: Atrial fibrillation occurs commonly after open-heart surgery and may delay hospital discharge. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of preoperative amiodarone as prophylaxis against atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery., Methods: In this double-blind, randomized study, 124 patients were given either oral amiodarone (64 patients) or placebo (60 patients) for a minimum of seven days before elective cardiac surgery. Therapy consisted of 600 mg of amiodarone per day for seven days, then 200 mg per day until the day of discharge from the hospital. The mean (+/-SD) preoperative total dose of amiodarone was 4.8+/-0.96 g over a period of 13+/-7 days., Results: Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 16 of the 64 patients in the amiodarone group (25 percent) and 32 of the 60 patients in the placebo group (53 percent) (P=0.003). Patients in the amiodarone group were hospitalized for significantly fewer days than were patients in the placebo group (6.5+/-2.6 vs. 7.9+/-4.3 days, P=0.04). Nonfatal postoperative complications occurred in eight amiodarone-treated patients (12 percent) and in six patients receiving placebo (10 percent, P=0.78). Fatal postoperative complications occurred in three patients who received amiodarone (5 percent) and in two who received placebo (3 percent, P= 1.00). Total hospitalization costs were significantly less for the amiodarone group than for the placebo group ($18,375+/-$13,863 vs. $26,491+/-$23,837, P=0.03)., Conclusions: Preoperative oral amiodarone in patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery is well tolerated and significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and the duration and cost of hospitalization.

Fifty-seven children were seen over a 10-year period, 1984-1994, at two large pediatric referral centers with a diagnosis of mastoiditis. Twelve had acute infection and 45 had chronic manifestations. Clinical presentations and recovered bacterial pathogens were identical to those reported in earlier literature although the incidence of both acute and chronic mastoiditis has decreased markedly since 1950. The availability of computed tomographic (CT) scans during this decade has improved the management of chronic disease by defining the location of cholesteatomas and the extent of disease as well as possible anatomic variations and potential complications encountered during surgery. CT scanning is indicated in acute disease when there is suspicion of chronic suppuration or destruction of the mastoid.

Sequential outbreaks of infection due to gentamicin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (GRKP) types 30 and 19 occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Medical College of Virginia in 1977 and 1978. The extensive epidemiologic investigation carried out included a case-control study, careful review of aseptic technique, and cultures from nursery staff and environment. The gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of the patients were the reservoirs for GRKP, and the epidemic strain was transmitted by hands of personnel. The case-control study showed a significant relationship between acquisition of GRKP by patients and oropharyngeal and GI instrumentation, including use of bag resuscitation, oropharyngeal suctioning, and use of nasogastric feeding tubes. The findings of the case-control study were supported by observation of the patient care techniques practiced by NICU staff. Institution of control measures based on results of the epidemiologic investigation of the first outbreak rapidly brought the second outbreak under control, even though cohorting or use of routine isolation was not possible. Whereas GI colonization and hand transmission have been described previously in outbreaks of K. pneumoniae infections in NICUs, this study is the first to document the mode of inoculation of patients' GI tracts by contaminated hands of personnel.

A methicillin- and rifampin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus was introduced into a university hospital by interstate transfer of an infected surgical patient. An outbreak occurred, and 17 patients became infected or colonized with the epidemic strain. Reservoirs appeared to be patients who were infected or colonized with the resistant S aureus and possibly two nurses who were nasal carriers. The outbreak isolate was likely spread by contact with contaminated hands of personnel. A retrospective case-control study identified tracheostomy, débridement, and irrigation of wounds by power spray and prolonged nasogastric intubation as risk factors for acquisition of the epidemic strain. Analysis of factors by groups indicated that surgical procedures, wound care procedures and instrumentation of the respiratory tract were significantly associated with cases. The nasal carrier state was eradicated in two nurses by topical application of 5% vancomycin. The epidemic strain was eradicated from the hospital 8 months after it was introduced.