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Frontiers in Medicine 2022Pruritus is a major and burdensome symptom in atopic dermatitis (AD). The number of systemic treatments available for AD has increased recently, enabling improved...
INTRODUCTION
Pruritus is a major and burdensome symptom in atopic dermatitis (AD). The number of systemic treatments available for AD has increased recently, enabling improved patient relief.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of AD treatments on pruritus.
METHODS
A systematic literature review and a meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of treatment used in AD on pruritus. PubMed and Embase databases were searched to find articles published between January 1990 and December 2021. Topical and systemic treatments were studied in patients aged ≥10 years.
RESULTS
Among the 448 articles identified, 56 studies were retained in the systematic review. A total of 15 studies evaluated topical treatments: topical corticosteroids (TCS; 2), calcineurin inhibitors (6), PDE4 inhibitors (3), and Jak inhibitors (4). A total of five studies were included in the meta- analysis. All treatments had a positive effect on pruritus, with a mean overall reduction of 3.32/10, 95% IC [2.32-4.33]. The greatest reduction was observed with halometasone (mean: 4.75), followed by tofacitinib 2% (mean: 4.38). A total of 41 studies evaluated systemic therapies: cyclosporine (6), phototherapy (5), azathioprine (2), dupilumab (9), anti-IL 13 (5), nemolizumab (3), Jak inhibitors (9), mepolizumab (1), and apremilast (1). A total of 17 studies were included in 2 meta-analyses according to the concomitant use or not of TCS. In the meta-analysis without TCS, the overall decrease was 3.07/10, 95% IC [2.58-3.56]. The molecules with the highest efficacy on pruritus were upadacitinib 30 mg (mean: 4.90) and nemolizumab (mean: 4.81).
DISCUSSION
The therapeutic arsenal for AD has increased rapidly, and many molecules are under development. The primary endpoint of clinical trials is most often a score that assesses the severity of AD; however, the assessment of pruritus is also essential. The majority of molecules have a positive effect on pruritus, but the improvement varies between them. Efficacy on pruritus is not always correlated with efficacy on AD lesions; therefore, these two criteria are crucial to evaluate. The limitations of this study were the heterogeneity in the assessment of pruritus, the moment of the assessment, and the concomitant application of TCS or not for studies evaluating systemics. In the future, it would be useful to use standardized criteria for assessing pruritus.
PubMed: 36619624
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.1079323 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Mar 2018Scleroedema adultorum Buschke is a rare skin disease, which can be divided into 3 subtypes: classic type, occurring after respiratory infections; a type lacking... (Review)
Review
Scleroedema adultorum Buschke is a rare skin disease, which can be divided into 3 subtypes: classic type, occurring after respiratory infections; a type lacking association with infections; and a type associated with diabetes. Scleroedema adultorum Buschke is characterized by thickening and tightening of the skin, which typically starts at the neck. In half of patients, spontaneous remission may occur. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize all reported treatments for scleroedema adultorum Buschke, based on articles from PubMed database, using the query "scleroedema adultorum Buschke treatment", English and German, published between 1970 and 2016 and documenting adequate treatments. The results are based mainly on individual case reports, small case series, and retrospective studies often reporting unsuccessful results. Treatment options include topical as well as systemic treatments, and physical modalities. There is a need for randomized controlled trials and studies on long-term outcomes after treatment.
Topics: Dermatologic Agents; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; PUVA Therapy; Photopheresis; Remission, Spontaneous; Risk Factors; Scleredema Adultorum; Skin; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29136263
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-2846 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... 2001Phototherapy is used to treat newborn infants with hyperbilirubinaemia. Fibreoptic phototherapy is a new mode of phototherapy which is reported to lower serum bilirubin... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Phototherapy is used to treat newborn infants with hyperbilirubinaemia. Fibreoptic phototherapy is a new mode of phototherapy which is reported to lower serum bilirubin (SBR) while minimising disruption of normal infant care.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy of fibreoptic phototherapy.
SEARCH STRATEGY
The standard search strategy of the Cochrane Collaboration was used including searches of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, MEDLINE, EMBASE and discussion with experts in the field.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of fibreoptic phototherapy in the management of newborn infants with hyperbilirubinaemia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Thirty-one studies were identified of which 24 met inclusion criteria. They evaluated the efficacy of fibreoptic phototherapy in a number of different clinical situations and patient populations.
MAIN RESULTS
Fibreoptic phototherapy was more effective at lowering SBR than no treatment but less effective than conventional phototherapy (percentage change in SBR after 24 hours of treatment: WMD -10.7%, 95%CI -18.14, -3.26 and WMD 3.59%, 95%CI 1.27, 5.92 respectively). Fibreoptic phototherapy was equally as effective as conventional phototherapy in preterm infants and when two fibreoptic devices were used simultaneously (change in SBR after 24 hours of treatment: WMD 1.7%, 95%CI -2.65, 6.05 and change in SBR per day over whole treatment period: WMD 2.82%, 95%CI -1.84, 7.48 respectively). A combination of fibreoptic and conventional phototherapy was more effective than conventional phototherapy alone (duration of phototherapy: WMD -12.51 hr, 95%CI -16.00, -9.02, meta-analysis affected by heterogeneity). No conclusion can be made on the superiority of one fibreoptic device over another as the two studies comparing them (one favouring BiliBlanket, the other finding no difference) did not contain a common outcome measure.
REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
Fibreoptic phototherapy has a place in the management of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. It is probably a safe alternative to conventional phototherapy in term infants with physiological jaundice. No trials have been identified which support the widely-held view that fibreoptic devices interfere less with infant care or impact less on parent-child bonding.
Topics: Fiber Optic Technology; Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia; Infant, Newborn; Jaundice, Neonatal; Phototherapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 11279748
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002060 -
European Review For Medical and... Mar 2022Children undergoing chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may suffer from Oral mucositis. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to find the...
OBJECTIVE
Children undergoing chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may suffer from Oral mucositis. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to find the protocols which are used in the management of oral mucositis (OM) in children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A search was performed to find the related studies. After reading the searched articles, 15 studies were selected for this review.
RESULTS
Good oral care, glutamine, some biological agents, and laser therapy, had a significant effect to reduce the pain sensation and occurrence of oral mucositis in children.
CONCLUSIONS
It has been concluded that there are many types of management, such as oral care and laser therapy, which can be used to reduce the severity of oral mucositis.
Topics: Child; Glutamine; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; Humans; Laser Therapy; Low-Level Light Therapy; Mucositis; Stomatitis
PubMed: 35302212
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202203_28233 -
Cureus Dec 2023Psoriasis is a chronic and recurring condition characterized by scaly red plaques. The most common variant, plaque-type psoriasis, presents distinct clinical features.... (Review)
Review
Psoriasis is a chronic and recurring condition characterized by scaly red plaques. The most common variant, plaque-type psoriasis, presents distinct clinical features. It profoundly impacts psychological and mental well-being, resulting in depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Psoriasis occurs due to disruptions in the skin's innate and adaptive immune response triggered by trauma, infection, or medications. Treatment options include topical therapies such as corticosteroids and vitamin D analogs, phototherapy, conventional systemic agents such as methotrexate (MTX), and biologics that target pro-inflammatory cytokines. There has been growing interest in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a potential treatment option for plaque psoriasis, given its lower toxicity compared to existing approaches. However, its use is not yet widespread in clinical practice due to the limited awareness of its effectiveness. This review aims to investigate the efficacy of PRP therapy for plaque psoriasis. To conduct a comprehensive analysis, we followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, thoroughly searching PubMed, Elton Bryson Stephens Company (EBSCO), and ClinicalTrials.gov between February and July 2023. Our focus was on patients diagnosed with plaque psoriasis, and we found multiple studies that demonstrated promising results of PRP either as monotherapy or in combination with current treatments such as MTX. The clinical evidence strongly supports the effectiveness of PRP in treating plaque psoriasis. PRP significantly improves dermatological symptoms and enhances patient and physician satisfaction. Research suggests that PRP reduces the expression of interleukin (IL) 17, a pro-inflammatory mediator, explaining its mechanism of action in treating plaque psoriasis. However, additional clinical trials with larger sample sizes, including PRP as a separate treatment group and comparisons with positive and control groups, are necessary to reinforce its efficacy in plaque psoriasis patients and elucidate other potential mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects.
PubMed: 38089952
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.50356 -
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 2022Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory chronic disease with difficult management. In some scenarios, intralesional (IL) treatments could be useful. However,... (Review)
Review
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an inflammatory chronic disease with difficult management. In some scenarios, intralesional (IL) treatments could be useful. However, the scientific evidence available is limited and heterogeneous. We aimed to synthesize the available scientific evidence on IL treatments in HS. We conducted a systematic review in July 2021. The clinical databases reviewed included MEDLINE and Embase. All types of epidemiological studies and case series with at least 10 patients were included; reviews, guidelines, protocols, conference abstracts, case series with less than 10 patients, and case reports were excluded. Fifteen articles representing 599 patients and 1,032 lesions were included for review. Corticosteroid injections were the most reported treatment. They showed effectiveness for the treatment of acute inflammatory lesions and fistulas in terms of reduction of lesion counts, symptoms, and signs of inflammation and were safe in general terms. Light-based therapies were the other main treatment group, including photodynamic therapy and 1,064-nm diode laser. They were also effective, but more local and systemic adverse events were reported. Other treatments included botulinum toxin type B and punch-trocar-assisted cryoinsufflation (cryopunch). They were effective and safe, although were reported anecdotally. The main limitation of the systematic review was the general quality of the articles included. In conclusion, IL treatments such as corticosteroid injections and light-based therapies seem to be effective and safe for both acute inflammatory lesions and fistulas, although more prospective studies, with higher sample sizes and with standardized outcomes are needed to provide more scientific evidence on the subject.
Topics: Humans; Hidradenitis Suppurativa; Prospective Studies; Photochemotherapy; Injections, Intralesional; Adrenal Cortex Hormones
PubMed: 35477143
DOI: 10.1159/000524121 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2015Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterised by patchy loss of skin colour. Some people experience itching before the appearance of a new patch. It affects people... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Vitiligo is a chronic skin disorder characterised by patchy loss of skin colour. Some people experience itching before the appearance of a new patch. It affects people of any age or ethnicity, more than half of whom develop it before the age of 20 years. There are two main types: generalised vitiligo, the common symmetrical form, and segmental, affecting only one side of the body. Around 1% of the world's population has vitiligo, a disease causing white patches on the skin. Several treatments are available. Some can restore pigment but none can cure the disease.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of all therapeutic interventions used in the management of vitiligo.
SEARCH METHODS
We updated our searches of the following databases to October 2013: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in The Cochrane Library (2013, Issue 10), MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS. We also searched five trials databases, and checked the reference lists of included studies for further references to relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of treatments for vitiligo.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least two review authors independently assessed study eligibility and methodological quality, and extracted data.
MAIN RESULTS
This update of the 2010 review includes 96 studies, 57 from the previous update and 39 new studies, totalling 4512 participants. Most of the studies, covering a wide range of interventions, had fewer than 50 participants. All of the studies assessed repigmentation, however only five reported on all of our three primary outcomes which were quality of life, > 75% repigmentation and adverse effects. Of our secondary outcomes, six studies measured cessation of spread but none assessed long-term permanence of repigmentation resulting from treatment at two years follow-up.Most of the studies assessed combination therapies which generally reported better results. New interventions include seven new surgical interventions.We analysed the data from 25 studies which assessed our primary outcomes. We used the effect measures risk ratio (RR), and odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) and where N is the number of participants in the study.We were only able to analyse one of nine studies assessing quality of life and this showed no statistically significant improvement between the comparators.Nine analyses from eight studies reported >75% repigmentation. In the following studies the repigmentation was better in the combination therapy group: calcipotriol plus PUVA (psoralen with UVA light) versus PUVA (paired OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.43 to 12.64, one study, N = 27); hydrocortisone-17-butyrate plus excimer laser versus excimer laser alone (RR 2.57, 95% CI 1.20 to 5.50, one study, N = 84); oral minipulse of prednisolone (OMP) plus NB-UVB (narrowband UVB) versus OMP alone (RR 7.41, 95% CI 1.03 to 53.26, one study, N = 47); azathioprine with PUVA versus PUVA alone (RR 17.77, 95% CI 1.08 to 291.82, one study, N = 58) and 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP ) plus sunlight versus psoralen (RR 2.50, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.91, one study, N = 168). In these three studies ginkgo biloba was better than placebo (RR 4.40, 95% CI 1.08 to 17.95, one study, N = 47); clobetasol propionate was better than PUVAsol (PUVA with sunlight) (RR 4.70, 95% CI 1.14 to 19.39, one study, N = 45); split skin grafts with PUVAsol was better than minipunch grafts with PUVAsol (RR 1.89, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.85, one study, N = 64).We performed one meta-analysis of three studies, in which we found a non-significant 60% increase in the proportion of participants achieving >75% repigmentation in favour of NB-UVB compared to PUVA (RR 1.60, 95% CI 0.74 to 3.45; I² = 0%).Studies assessing topical preparations, in particular topical corticosteroids, reported most adverse effects. However, in combination studies it was difficult to ascertain which treatment caused these effects. We performed two analyses from a pooled analysis of three studies on adverse effects. Where NB-UVB was compared to PUVA, the NB-UVB group reported less observations of nausea in three studies (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.69; I² = 0% three studies, N = 156) and erythema in two studies (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.98; I² = 0%, two studies, N = 106), but not itching in two studies (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.60; I² = 0%, two studies, N = 106).Very few studies only assessed children or included segmental vitiligo. We found one study of psychological interventions but we could not include the outcomes in our statistical analyses. We found no studies evaluating micropigmentation, depigmentation, or cosmetic camouflage.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This review has found some evidence from individual studies to support existing therapies for vitiligo, but the usefulness of the findings is limited by the different designs and outcome measurements and lack of quality of life measures. There is a need for follow-up studies to assess permanence of repigmentation as well as high- quality randomised trials using standardised measures and which also address quality of life.
Topics: Combined Modality Therapy; Ginkgo biloba; Humans; Lasers, Excimer; PUVA Therapy; Photosensitizing Agents; Phototherapy; Plant Extracts; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Skin Pigmentation; Skin Transplantation; Steroids; Vitiligo
PubMed: 25710794
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003263.pub5 -
Cells Sep 2023Vitamin D is one significant prohormone substance in human organ systems. It is a steroidal hormone produced in the skin upon exposure to UVB rays. This paper presents a... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is one significant prohormone substance in human organ systems. It is a steroidal hormone produced in the skin upon exposure to UVB rays. This paper presents a systematic review of the utilization of topical vitamin D, specifically cholecalciferol, calcipotriol, and tacalcitol, in the treatment of vitiligo. It considers the role of vitamin D in stimulating the synthesis of melanin and melanogenesis, which can help with the process of repigmentation. The inclusion of calcipotriol or tacalcitol in Narrowband Ultraviolet Phototherapy (NB-UVB) has shown the potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes for vitiligo. However, their effectiveness in combination with Psoralens Long Wave Ultraviolet Radiation (PUVA) and Monochromatic Excimer Light (MEL) treatment for vitiligo is limited. In contrast, combining topical corticosteroids with vitamin D analogues has demonstrated superior efficacy in treating vitiligo compared to using vitamin D analogues alone, while also providing the added benefit of reducing corticosteroid-related adverse effects. In addition, treating stable vitiligo with topical cholecalciferol and microneedling has shown success. Future studies are needed to ascertain an efficient method of administering vitamin D topically as an anti-vitiligo agent.
Topics: Humans; Vitamin D; Vitiligo; Ultraviolet Rays; Ultraviolet Therapy; Vitamins
PubMed: 37830601
DOI: 10.3390/cells12192387 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2011Phototherapy is the mainstay of treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. The commonly used light sources for providing phototherapy are special blue fluorescent tubes,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Phototherapy is the mainstay of treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia. The commonly used light sources for providing phototherapy are special blue fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent tubes and halogen spotlights. However, light emitting diodes (LEDs) as light sources with high luminous intensity, narrow wavelength band and higher delivered irradiance could make phototherapy more efficacious than the conventional phototherapy units.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of LED phototherapy as compared to conventional phototherapy in decreasing serum total bilirubin levels and duration of treatment in neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to April 30, 2010) and EMBASE (1988 to July 8, 2009). Handsearches of the proceedings of annual meetings of The European Society for Paediatric Research and The Society for Pediatric Research were conducted through 2010.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials were eligible for inclusion if they enrolled neonates (term and preterm) with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia and compared LED phototherapy with other light sources (fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent tubes, halogen spotlight; method of administration: conventional or fibreoptic).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used the standard methods of The Cochrane Collaboration and its Neonatal Review Group for data collection and analysis.
MAIN RESULTS
Six randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria for this review. Four studies compared LED and halogen light sources. Two studies compared LED and compact fluorescent light sources. The duration of phototherapy (six studies, 630 neonates) was comparable in LED and non-LED phototherapy groups (mean difference (hours) -0.43, 95% CI -1.91 to 1.05). The rate of decline of serum total bilirubin (STB) (four studies, 511 neonates) was also similar in the two groups (mean difference (mg/dL/hour) 0.01, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.04). Treatment failure, defined as the need of additional phototherapy or exchange blood transfusion (1 study, 272 neonates), was comparable (RR 1.83, 95% CI 0.47 to 7.17). Side effects of phototherapy such as hypothermia (RR 6.41, 95% CI 0.33 to 122.97), hyperthermia (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.18 to 2.11) and skin rash (RR 1.83, 95% CI 0.17 to 19.96) were rare and occurred with similar frequency in the two groups.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
LED light source phototherapy is efficacious in bringing down levels of serum total bilirubin at rates that are similar to phototherapy with conventional (compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or halogen) light sources. Further studies are warranted for evaluating efficacy of LED phototherapy in neonates with haemolytic jaundice or in the presence of severe hyperbilirubinaemia (STB ≥ 20 mg/dL).
Topics: Humans; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal; Infant, Newborn; Jaundice, Neonatal; Phototherapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 22161417
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007969.pub2 -
BMC Dermatology May 2008Vitiligo is a hypopigmentation disorder affecting 1 to 4% of the world population. Fifty percent of cases appear before the age of 20 years old, and the disfigurement... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vitiligo is a hypopigmentation disorder affecting 1 to 4% of the world population. Fifty percent of cases appear before the age of 20 years old, and the disfigurement results in psychiatric morbidity in 16 to 35% of those affected.
METHODS
Our objective was to complete a comprehensive, systematic review of the published scientific literature to identify natural health products (NHP) such as vitamins, herbs and other supplements that may have efficacy in the treatment of vitiligo. We searched eight databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE for vitiligo, leucoderma, and various NHP terms. Prospective controlled clinical human trials were identified and assessed for quality.
RESULTS
Fifteen clinical trials were identified, and organized into four categories based on the NHP used for treatment. 1) L-phenylalanine monotherapy was assessed in one trial, and as an adjuvant to phototherapy in three trials. All reported beneficial effects. 2) Three clinical trials utilized different traditional Chinese medicine products. Although each traditional Chinese medicine trial reported benefit in the active groups, the quality of the trials was poor. 3) Six trials investigated the use of plants in the treatment of vitiligo, four using plants as photosensitizing agents. The studies provide weak evidence that photosensitizing plants can be effective in conjunction with phototherapy, and moderate evidence that Ginkgo biloba monotherapy can be useful for vitiligo. 4) Two clinical trials investigated the use of vitamins in the therapy of vitiligo. One tested oral cobalamin with folic acid, and found no significant improvement over control. Another trial combined vitamin E with phototherapy and reported significantly better repigmentation over phototherapy only. It was not possible to pool the data from any studies for meta-analytic purposes due to the wide difference in outcome measures and poor quality ofreporting.
CONCLUSION
Reports investigating the efficacy of NHPs for vitiligo exist, but are of poor methodological quality and contain significant reporting flaws. L-phenylalanine used with phototherapy, and oral Ginkgo biloba as monotherapy show promise and warrant further investigation.
Topics: Combined Modality Therapy; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; Ginkgo biloba; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Phenylalanine; Photosensitizing Agents; Phototherapy; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Vitamins; Vitiligo
PubMed: 18498646
DOI: 10.1186/1471-5945-8-2