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Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland) 1993Assessment methods for atopic dermatitis (AD) are not standardized, and therapeutic studies are difficult to interpret.
BACKGROUND
Assessment methods for atopic dermatitis (AD) are not standardized, and therapeutic studies are difficult to interpret.
AIMS
To obtain a consensus on assessment methods in AD and to use a statistical method to develop a composite severity index.
METHODS
Consensus definitions were given for items used in the scoring system (extent, intensity, subjective) and illustrated for intensity items. Slides were reviewed to address within- and between-observer variability by a group of 10 trained clinicians, and data were statistically evaluated with a two-way analysis of variance. Two variants of an assessment system were compared in 88 patients at 5 different institutions. Data were analyzed using principal-component analysis.
RESULTS
For 5 intensity items studied (erythema, edema/papulation, oozing/crusts, excoriations, lichenification), within- and between-observer variability was good overall, except for edema/papulation which was difficult to assess with slides. In the series of 88 patients, principal-component analysis allowed to extract two unrelated components: the first one accounting for 33% of total variance was interpreted as a 'severity' component; the second one, accounting for 18% of variance, was interpreted as a 'profile' component distinguishing patients with mostly erythema and subjective symptoms and those with mostly lichenification and dryness and lower subjective symptoms. Of the two evaluation systems used, the one using the rule of nine to assess extent was found more workable than the one using a distribution x intensity product. A scoring index (SCORAD) combining extent, severity and subjective symptoms was mathematically derived from the first system and showed a normal distribution of the population studied.
CONCLUSION
The final choice for the evaluation system was mostly made based on simplicity and easy routine use in outpatient clinics. Based on mathematical appreciation of weights of the items used in the assessment of AD, extent and subjective symptoms account for around 20% each of the total score, intensity items representing 60%. The so-designed composite index SCORAD needs to be further tested in clinical trials.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Child; Child, Preschool; Dermatitis, Atopic; Europe; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Medical Illustration; Middle Aged; Observer Variation; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 8435513
DOI: 10.1159/000247298 -
Archivum Immunologiae Et Therapiae... Apr 2019Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory, relapsing disease of the skin, characterized by intense pruritus, maculopapular or vesicular erythematous lesions and... (Review)
Review
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory, relapsing disease of the skin, characterized by intense pruritus, maculopapular or vesicular erythematous lesions and scaling, sometimes accompanied by oozing, crusts and/or lichenification that has a negative impact on patients' quality of life. Prevalence is higher in children, around 15%, and approximately 5% in adults. Before introducing systemic therapy, it is mandatory to review patients' adherence to the correct use of topical treatments (corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors or cresoborole) and/or phototherapy. Ensure that environmental measures are being taken care of, irritant or proven allergic substances are not in use and even if the diagnostic is correct. If all is being done and topical treatment with corticosteroid, emollients and phototherapy have not been sufficient to achieve a good control in AD of adults or children patients, it is time to consider systemic agents. Up to now, most of systemic treatments were based on immunosuppressive therapies, being cyclosporine A, the usually first choice for moderate-to-severe AD. Recently, biologic drugs have been developed and approved for AD, as dupilumab, and a whole new group of drugs is giving much hope for patients to have a better control of the disease with less side effects.
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Adult; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; Child; Cyclosporine; Dermatitis, Atopic; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Immunotherapy; Quality of Life; Receptors, Interleukin-4; Skin
PubMed: 30159581
DOI: 10.1007/s00005-018-0521-y -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Feb 2017Fiddler's neck is a common dermatologic condition associated with instrument use in violin and viola players. It typically manifests as a submandibular and/or... (Review)
Review
Fiddler's neck is a common dermatologic condition associated with instrument use in violin and viola players. It typically manifests as a submandibular and/or supraclavicular lesion. It is a benign condition, but it may be mistaken for lymphedema or a salivary gland malignancy. Otolaryngologists who treat patients with fiddler's neck should be aware of appropriate management protocols and the need to avoid surgical excision. We obtained informed consent from 3 violinists to present their cases as specific examples of fiddler's neck. In addition, we present a literature review based on our PubMed search for articles about this instrument-induced dermatitis. The literature suggests that submandibular fiddler's neck is caused by mechanical pressure and shear stress on the skin and that it can present as erythema, scarring, edema, and lichenification. Supraclavicular fiddler's neck, on the other hand, is caused by allergic contact dermatitis, and it can present as an eczematous, scaly, and/or vesicular lesion. In most cases, a good history (especially of string instrument use), physical examination, and a patch test are sufficient to diagnose this condition. Management of fiddler's neck includes a topical steroid, proper instrument handling, neck padding, changing the instrument's materials, and/or reducing the amount of playing time. Surgical excision is usually not advisable.
Topics: Adolescent; Dermatitis, Irritant; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Humans; Male; Music; Neck; Young Adult
PubMed: 28231367
DOI: 10.1177/014556131709600210 -
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic... Apr 2016Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course... (Review)
Review
Anogenital pruritus is defined as intense itching, acute or chronic, affecting the anal, perianal, perineal and genital skin, which is a dominant problem in the course of various cutaneous and systemic conditions. It is one of the common, extremely annoying symptom for which patients attend the Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD). Anogenital skin is highly sensitive to soaps, perfumes, clothing and superficial trauma and it is more prone for itchy dermatoses as a result of warmth, friction, lack of aeration, sweating and occlusive inner garments. Anogenital pruritus is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases which includes localized infections, infestations, inflammatory dermatoses, allergic and irritant conditions, anorectal diseases, systemic causes, nutritional disorders, psychological and when the cause cannot be found out it is often termed idiopathic. Patients are highly reluctant in consulting the physician for anogenital itch in the early stage, they usually present at a later stage with either atypical manifestations or depigmentation and lichenification, secondary to constant scratching. They often resort to over the counter topical agents, particularly combination products which contain topical steroids. The irrational use of such products results in complications like skin atrophy, striae, incognito etc. A proper clinical history, clinical examination, investigations like scrapping for fungus and itch mite, skin biopsy, patch test and relevant blood investigations to rule out systemic conditions should be carried out, when needed, to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, before treating the patient.
PubMed: 27190932
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/18440.7703 -
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2015Paget's disease, described by Sir James Paget in 1874, is classified as mammary and extramammary. The mammary type is rare and often associated with intraductal cancer... (Review)
Review
Paget's disease, described by Sir James Paget in 1874, is classified as mammary and extramammary. The mammary type is rare and often associated with intraductal cancer (93-100% of cases). It is more prevalent in postmenopausal women and it appears as an eczematoid, erythematous, moist or crusted lesion, with or without fine scaling, infiltration and inversion of the nipple. It must be distinguished from erosive adenomatosis of the nipple, cutaneous extension of breast carcinoma, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, chronic eczema, lactiferous ducts ectasia, Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and intraductal papilloma. Diagnosis is histological and prognosis and treatment depend on the type of underlying breast cancer. Extramammary Paget's disease is considered an adenocarcinoma originating from the skin or skin appendages in areas with apocrine glands. The primary location is the vulvar area, followed by the perianal region, scrotum, penis and axillae. It starts as an erythematous plaque of indolent growth, with well-defined edges, fine scaling, excoriations, exulcerations and lichenification. In most cases it is not associated with cancer, although there are publications linking it to tumors of the vulva, vagina, cervix and corpus uteri, bladder, ovary, gallbladder, liver, breast, colon and rectum. Differential diagnoses are candidiasis, psoriasis and chronic lichen simplex. Histopathology confirms the diagnosis. Before treatment begins, associated malignancies should be investigated. Surgical excision and micrographic surgery are the best treatment options, although recurrences are frequent.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Genital Neoplasms, Male; Humans; Male; Nipples; Paget Disease, Extramammary; Paget's Disease, Mammary; Skin Neoplasms; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 25830993
DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20153189