Search

Objective skin barrier parameters in acne patients with and without therapy compared with normal controls are limited. This information could provide more insight into the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris and optimal acne treatment. Purpose: To measure and compare skin barrier parameters in a large cohort of acne patients with and without therapy compared with normal controls. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on healthy Thai volunteers. After completing a questionnaire on their general information and skincare routine, volunteers received a full skin examination and were divided into subjects with and without acne. Skin barrier parameters, including the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration and sebum production were measured and compared between the two groups. Factors that may affect each parameter were analysed and adjusted for in a multivariate regression analysis. In addition, data from acne patients with and without treatment were evaluated. Results: The study included 316 volunteers (164 acne patients, 152 controls), mostly female (79% acne, 78% controls). The mean age of the acne group was considerably lower than that of the control group (34 vs 48.6 years (p < 0.001)). Acne patients showed significantly higher TEWL (13.16 vs 10.63 g/m²/day, p < 0.001), sebum production (median 3 vs 0 A.U, p = 0.002), and skin hydration (244.60 vs 222.60 uS, p = 0.001). These differences remained significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Additionally, significant differences were observed between controls, acne. Patients receiving and not receiving acne medications. The highest TEWL was observed in acne patients receiving treatment, followed by untreated acne patients and normal controls (p = 0.0003). Skin hydration exhibited a comparable pattern (p = 0.03). Conclusion: There were significantly higher TEWL, sebum production and hydration in acne patients. Acne treatment further impaired the skin barrier. These findings support the possible benefits of moisturisers with barrier-enhancing properties in patients receiving acne medications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thread lifting was first described in the early twentieth century, but for many years it remained a relatively debatable technique due to the unreliability of the long-term results. Very few papers described the long-term follow-up of the patients. Until now there has been no ideal thread that can demonstrate the long-lasting results. Method: A long-term study of mesh suspension thread in Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital and Bangkok Skin-Plastic Surgery Center was conducted during February 2016 to December 2018. In all, 21 patients, 20 females and one male, were treated. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 2 years. The results were evaluated by both patients themselves and an independent investigator using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), Modified Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Scale and Marionette Lines Grading Scale at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Results: No serious complications were involved in all cases. The most frequent complaint was mild to moderate pain at the temporal area at the night of surgery that gradually improved in a few days. The improved result could be maintained up to 1 year among 14 patients (66.6%) and 2 years among eight patients (38%). The follow-up period up to 2 years showed a favorable result. Most cases received the same GAIS scores by patients and those of the investigator. Some patients rated their outcome higher than the investigator. No obvious contradiction in the scores was observed between both groups. Conclusion: We performed a long-term clinical study to validate the efficacy of mesh suspension thread. The result showed that this novel thread could provide a long-lasting result up to 2 years. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common and complex condition characterized by endocrine features and influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In Southeast Asia and Thailand, the prevalence of PCOS is unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of and determine factors associated with PCOS in Thai adolescents. We administered a validated questionnaire to 600 university female participants aged 17-19 years from Mahidol University in Bangkok. Of these, 548 (91.33%) responded and agreed to participate. Two-hundred and seventy-nine girls (50.91%) were identified as likely having PCOS and defined as ‘probable cases’. Of those 279 participants, 248 (88.88%) were evaluated further for PCOS using the Rotterdam criteria. A complete history was taken, and a physical examination including trans-abdominal ultrasound was performed. Blood chemistry tests were performed to exclude similar conditions and to investigate potential co-morbidities. The prevalence of PCOS in Thai adolescents was found to be 5.29%. After multivariate analyses, moderate acne was the strongest risk factor for PCOS. The odd ratios (95% confidence interval) for the presence of mild acne, moderate acne, and oligo- or amenorrhea in participants with PCOS were 2.83 (1.01-7.90; p = .47), 31.69 (10.07-99.67; p < .001), and 5.89 (2.42-14.37; p < .001), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence and compare the results of positive autologous serum skin test (ASST) and autologous plasma skin test (APST) in Thai chronic urticaria patients. Material and Method: A retrospective review of all chronic urticaria patients attending the Urticaria Clinic who underwent ASST and APST between January 2010 and March 2014 was conducted. The data on their demography, disease severity, and results of ASST, APST, and other relevant tests were collected and analyzed using a statistical software. Results: Seventy-nine patients, comprising 14 (17.7%) males and 65 (82.3%) females, were included in the present study. Their median (range) age was 37 years (18 to 73 years). The median (range) duration of the disease was two years (2 months to 30 years). ASST was positive in 48 patients (60.8%) whereas APST was positive in 50 patients (63.3%). The difference in prevalence between both tests was not statistically significant (p = 0.593). A statistically significant association with higher number of wheals during each attack of urticarial symptoms was found in ASST-positive group (p<0.001), but not in APST-positive group (p = 0.064). Conclusion: ASST and APST can similarly detect autoreactivity in Thai chronic urticaria patients. Thus APST, the less established test between the two, is unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Ablative and fractional lasers are used for periorbital rejuvenation, with different downtime, side effects, and efficacy. Objectives To compare effects of fractional 1,550-nm ytterbium- and erbium-doped (Yb/Er) fiber laser and variable square pulse ( VSP) 2,940-nm erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er: YAG) laser treatment for periorbital wrinkles. Materials and Methods This side-by-side comparison study randomized 22 women with mild to moderate periorbital rhytides to receive three treatments with fractional 1,550-nm Yb/Er fiber laser or 2,940-nm Er: YAG laser treatment on either side at 4-week intervals. A video camera was used for objective assessment of wrinkles. Standardized photographs, patient satisfaction, side effects, and pain score were recorded. Results Twenty subjects completed the study. The median change in wrinkle measurement 3 months after laser treatments from baseline of the fractional Yb/Er fiber laser side was -3.03 versus -3.09 on the VSP Er: YAG side ( p = .63, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). There was no significant difference in degree of wrinkle improvement analyzed according to global assessment between the sides ( p = .25, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Less downtime correlated with greater patient satisfaction of the fractional laser treatment . Two subjects experienced hyperpigmentation. Conclusion Fractional Yb/Er fiber and VSP Er: YAG lasers are effective in improving periorbital wrinkles in Asians, with minimal side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers two cases involving two juvenile patients who are infected with calcinosis cutis before other clinical manifestations of juvenile dermatomyositis. The first case was about a 14-year-old girl with asymtomatic subcutaneous nodules. The second case was about a 15-year-old boy with a severe calcinosis cutis. Both patients responded well to aluminum hydroxide therapy.