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Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been associated with skin diseases such as psoriasis. They share a common inflammatory pathway and therefore have an impact on each other. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of MS and its individual components in psoriasis patients to that of the controls and to compare the characteristics in psoriasis patients with and without the MS. Materials and Methods: One hundred patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic plaque psoriasis were evaluated for the prevalence of MS and compared with the age- and sex-matched controls. Results: The study population belongs to the semi-urban region with a low socioeconomic status. The psoriatic cases showed male preponderance, and the majority of the subjects belonged to 31–40 years of age group. The mean psoriasis area severity index score among cases was 26.19 ± 10.8, and 92% of cases were with severe disease affecting the quality of life. MS was found to be statistically significant in cases. The cases with MS had a higher prevalence of central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated fasting blood glucose levels, and hypertension. The presence of MS in psoriasis patients was statistically independent of the severity. Conclusions: Psoriasis patients should be periodically evaluated for metabolic syndrome to prevent the associated mortalities and for their effective management.

Context: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a common viral cutaneous infection. Despite multiple treatment options, there is no definitive treatment. In some cases, the lesions are severe, recurrent, and cosmetically odd. Modified autoinoculation (MAI) is a novel technique that induces cell-mediated immunity resulting in clearance of local as well as distant lesions. Potassium hydroxide (KOH) acts by dissolving the keratin and penetrating deeply destroys the hyperproliferative tissue. We would here like to compare MAI with topical KOH in the treatment of MC. Aims and Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of MAI in treatment of MC and to compare its response with topical KOH application. Settings and Design: This was an open-labeled longitudinal therapeutic outcome study carried out at a tertiary care center over a period of 1 year. Materials and Methods: Hundred consenting MC patients attending the department of dermatology were randomized into Group A and Group B. Group A patients were subjected to MAI and Group B to topical application of 10% KOH. Statistical Analysis Used: The continuous variables are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). The difference between the mean score was analyzed using Student's t test for independent variable and paired t test for paired results. Results: At the end of 16 weeks, 91.48% showed complete clearance by MAI compared to 81.64% with topical 10% KOH solution. There was a significant reduction of mean score of lesions in patients treated by MAI compared to patients treated with KOH. Conclusion: MAI therapy provides a promising, easy, cost-effective, daycare option for MC infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-healing trophic ulcers in Hansen's disease patients is one of the major causes for disability. It has been shown that autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) is effective in healing chronic non-healing leg ulcers. Aim: The objective of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of autologous platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM) in non-healing trophic ulcers in patients treated for Hansen's disease. Design: A prospective study. Setting: An institution-based clinic. Participants: Seven treated patients with Hansen's disease, with a mean age of 38.33 years, with nine non-healing trophic ulcer of more than 6 weeks duration. Measurements: Photographs were taken before treatment and at every subsequent sitting. Area and volume were calculated at baseline and every subsequent sitting till the closure was achieved. Materials and Methods: The healthy ulcers were treated with PRFM at weekly intervals, repeated once a week for a maximum of five sittings as per requirement. Results: The mean percentage improvement in the area was 93.52%, and volume was 97.74% at the end of the second sitting. All ulcers closed by a maximum of five sittings. No adverse events were noted. Conclusion: PRFM for the treatment of trophic ulcers in treated patients with Hansen's disease is a feasible, safe, simple and inexpensive method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional technique of dermal grafting for acne scars where the source of filler material used is the patient's own dermis requires longer surgical time, recovery period and can result in unsightly scars at the donor area. Hence, it is not suitable for treating a larger number of scars. Furthermore, these dermal grafts are firm and cannot be contoured to fit all types of acne scars. Occurrence of epidermal cyst and secondary infection is another complication if epidermis is not completely removed. Enzymatic techniques need trypsinisation which is expensive and requires laboratory facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]