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Summary: Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in men. Topical minoxidil solutions can help to treat AGA but have to be applied continuously to be effective. Objectives: A new minoxidil formulation with improved cosmetic characteristics (DC0120, Pierre‐Fabre Dermatologie) was tested for noninferiority vs a comparator minoxidil product (ALOSTIL®, Johnson & Johnson) in stimulating hair growth in men with AGA. Methods: Two 10 cm2 areas on the scalp of each subject were randomized to receive DC0120, the comparator, or one of their corresponding vehicles, applied twice per day for 16 weeks. Nonvellus target area hair count (TAHC) was measured within treatment areas at baseline (day 1) and after 8 and 16 weeks by digital phototrichogram. Results: Two hundred and twenty subjects were included and randomized, of which 210 completed the study. The mean change in nonvellus TAHC between baseline and week 16 was +22.0 hairs/cm2 (95% CI: 18.1; 25.9) in the DC0120 group and +20.5 hairs/cm2 (95% CI: 16.6; 24.4) in the comparator group. The adjusted mean difference in TAHC changes between the two treatments was +1.5 hairs/cm2 (95% CI −2.3; 5.2), with the lower 95% confidence interval above the noninferiority threshold of −7 hairs/cm2. This indicated that DC0120 was noninferior to the comparator. Both minoxidil treatments also increased nonvellus TAHC compared to vehicle groups at 8 and 16 weeks. No new safety signals were observed. Conclusions: DC0120 was as safe and effective as a similar marketed minoxidil product for stimulating hair growth in men with AGA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acne is a common disease among young people, which could have a serious impact on quality of life. Based on a survey using the quotas method on a large sample of the French population, we studied the impact of acne on feelings of stress, fatigue upon waking, sleep disorders and sexual activity. We did not establish any relationship to sleep disorders, but clearly ascertained that people with acne (n = 1,375) feel more stressed and have less sexual intercourse. Hence, 18% of people from acne group declared to be stressed every day (13.9% in control group) and 37.5% had no sexual intercourse (20.4% in control group; n = 891). To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that fatigue upon waking is strongly associated with the presence of acne (65.4% versus 58.4%). This study emphasises the fact that acne could have a deep resounding impact on the lives of people suffering from the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dietary factors and smoking play a role in acne. Methods: CSA Santé conducted a survey in France in 2012. Each individual answered a questionnaire to report acne, with associated epidemiological variables. Data on subjects between 15 and 24 years of age were extracted. The characteristics of subjects reporting acne were compared to subjects reporting no acne, using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The daily consumption of chocolate and sweets was independently and highly associated with acne, with an odds ratio of 2.38 (95% CI: 1.31-4.31). Smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day was highly associated with no acne, with an odds ratio of 0.44 (95% CI: 0.30-0.66). The regular use of cannabis was associated with acne, with an odds ratio of 2.88 (95% CI: 1.55-5.37). Conclusion: Chocolate, sweets and cannabis smoking are associated with acne. We found tobacco to be protective. We failed to investigate the respective roles of sugar, lipids and milk. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop and validate a specific questionnaire to assess burden on families of children with infantile haemangioma (IH): the Haemangioma Family Burden questionnaire (HFB). Items were generated from a literature review and a verbatim report from parents. Subsequently, a study was implemented at the Necker Hospital and the Pellegrin Children's Hospital for psychometric analysis. The HFB was refined via item reduction according to inter-question correlations, consensus among experts and exploratory factor analysis. A 20-item questionnaire, grouped into 5 dimensions, was obtained. Construct validity was demonstrated and HFB showed good internal coherence (Cronbach's α: 0.93). The HFB was significantly correlated with the mental dimension of the Short-Form-12 (r = -0.75), and the Psychological General Well-Being Index (r = -0.61). HFB scores differed significantly according to the size and localization of the IH. A validated tool for assessing the burden on families of children with IH is now available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response from the authors and a colleague to the article "Oral Propranolol for Infantile Hemangioma" in the February 19, 2015 issue is presented.

An abstract of the article "Treatment of Infantile Hemangioma with Pediatric Formulation of Propranolol in the Compassionate Use Program. Three-year Report," by Renata M. Kisa and colleagues is presented.