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Resumen: Antecedentes y objetivos: El Wound-QoL es un cuestionario validado para medir la calidad de vida en pacientes con heridas crónicas, que fue desarrollado originalmente para su uso en alemán.El objetivo de este estudio fue traducir el cuestionario Wound-QoL para su uso en la práctica clínica y estudios de investigación en España, así como validar esta versión. Materiales y métodos: Se realizaron dos traducciones independientes del Wound-QoL, directa e inversa, a partir de la versión original en alemán, seguidas de un consenso de expertos sobre las versiones resultantes. Después de su perfeccionamiento se realizó un estudio piloto y posteriormente el estudio de validación. Resultados: Se incluyó un total de 115 pacientes. La edad media fue de 69,5 (DE 14,5) años, y el 60,0% eran mujeres. La versión española del Wound-QoL mostró una excelente consistencia interna (índice alfa de Cronbach > 0,8 en todas las escalas). El análisis factorial dio como resultado las mismas escalas que la versión original. Se objetivaron características satisfactorias de la distribución de la puntuación global y de las subescalas. La validez de constructo y la validez convergente con otros resultados (calidad de vida genérica, tasa de curación) fueron satisfactorias. La gran mayoría de los pacientes consideraron que el cuestionario era una herramienta sencilla y factible. El tiempo medio necesario para completar el cuestionario fue de 5 minutos. El 99,1% de los participantes consideraron que las preguntas eran fáciles de entender y el 94,7% declaró que personal. Conclusiones: La versión española del Wound-QoL muestra una excelente validez en la práctica clínica. Por lo tanto, puede ser recomendada para su uso tanto en la rutina clínica como en los ensayos. Abstract: Background and aims: The Wound-QoL is a validated and feasible questionnaire for measuring disease-specific health-related quality of life in chronic wounds, originally developed for use in German.The objective of this study was to translate the Wound-QoL for use in clinical care and in clinical trials in Spain and to validate this version. Materials and methods: Two independent fourth- and back translations of the Wound-QoL from the original German version were conducted, followed by an expert consensus of the resulting versions. After refinement, the final tool was piloted in N = 10 patients and then used in the validation study. Results: A total of 115 patients were recruited. Mean age was 69.5 (SD 14.5) years, 60.0% were female. The Spanish version of Wound-QoL showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha > 0.8 in all scales). Factor analysis resulted in the same scales as the original version. There were satisfactory distribution characteristics of the global score and the subscales. Construct validity and convergent validity with other outcomes (generic QoL, healing rate) were satisfactory. The vast majority of patients considered the Wound-QoL a simple and feasible tool. Mean time needed for completing the questionnaire was 5 minutes. Overall, 99.1% of the participants found it easy to understand the questions and 94.7% stated that the questionnaire suits the personal situation. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Wound-QoL shows good validity in clinical practice. It can be recommended for use in clinical routine and trials.

Background and Aims: The Wound-QoL is a validated and feasible questionnaire for measuring disease-specific health-related quality of life in chronic wounds, originally developed for use in German. The objective of this study was to translate the Wound-QoL for use in clinical care and in clinical trials in Spain and to validate this version., Materials and Methods: Two independent fourth- and back translations of the Wound-QoL from the original German version were conducted, followed by an expert consensus of the resulting versions. After refinement, the final tool was piloted in N=10 patients and then used in the validation study., Results: A total of 115 patients were recruited. Mean age was 69.5 (SD 14.5) years, 60.0% were female. The Spanish version of Wound-QoL showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha>0.8 in all scales). Factor analysis resulted in the same scales as the original version. There were satisfactory distribution characteristics of the global score and the subscales. Construct validity and convergent validity with other outcomes (generic QoL, healing rate) were satisfactory. The vast majority of patients considered the Wound-QoL a simple and feasible tool. Mean time needed for completing the questionnaire was 5minutes. Overall, 99.1% of the participants found it easy to understand the questions and 94.7% stated that the questionnaire suits the personal situation., Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Wound-QoL shows good validity in clinical practice. It can be recommended for use in clinical routine and trials., (Copyright © 2020 AEDV. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Malignant syphilis is an uncommon form of secondary syphilis associated with HIV infection. Clinically, it is characterized by necrotic nodules and generalized ulcerated lesions. We present 4 cases of malignant syphilis diagnosed after evaluating syphilis cases diagnosed at our hospital between 2012 and 2016. We describe the epidemiologic, clinical, histiopathologic, and serologic characteristics of malignant syphilis and explore its response to treatment and association with HIV infection. Although malignant syphilis is uncommon, there has been an increase in the number of cases published in recent years, particularly in young HIV-positive patients. Malignant syphilis must be contemplated in the differential diagnosis of HIV patients with ulcerated, necrotic lesions., (Copyright © 2019 AEDV. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objective: Sexually transmitted infections of the rectum and anus (STI-RA) mainly affect men who have sex with men (MSM). The incidence of STI-RA among them has increased in recent years., Material and Methods: Retrospective study in patients with diagnoses of STI-RA in an STI unit during the years 2014 and 2015. Epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data were collected., Results: We included 95 patients, all of whom were MSM; 88.42% were HIV+; 67.17% did not use a condom during their most recent sexual intercourse; 17.91% had had sex with sex workers and 72.22% had used drugs during sexual intercourse during the previous year. A percentage of 32.92 reported symptoms that had lasted longer than 30 days. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was diagnosed in 54.73% of the patients. All patients who presented with proctitis and perianal ulcers were diagnosed with LGV infection. All those who presented perianal ulcers without proctitis were diagnosed with syphilis., Conclusions: All the patients affected by STI-RA were MSM, most of them HIV+, had engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour and had suffered prolonged symptomatology. Clinical and microbiological characteristics of STI-AR could help adjust the empiric therapy., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Biologic drugs are usually prescribed as second-line treatment for psoriasis, that is, after the patient has first been treated with a conventional psoriasis drug. There are, however, cases where, depending on the characteristics of the patient or the judgement of the physician, biologics may be chosen as first-line therapy. No studies to date have analyzed the demographics or clinical characteristics of patients in this setting or the safety profile of the agents used. The main aim of this study was to characterize these aspects of first-line biologic therapy and compare them to those observed for patients receiving biologics as second-line therapy., Material and Method: We conducted an observational study of 181 patients treated in various centers with a systemic biologic drug as first-line treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis between January 2008 and November 2016. All the patients were registered in the Spanish Registry of Adverse Events Associated with Biologic Drugs in Dermatology., Results: The characteristics of the first- and second-line groups were very similar, although the patients receiving a biologic as first-line treatment for their psoriasis were older. No differences were observed for disease severity (assessed using the PASI) or time to diagnosis. Hypertension, diabetes, and liver disease were all more common in the first-line group. There were no differences between the groups in terms of reasons for drug withdrawal or occurrence of adverse effects., Conclusions: No major differences were found between patients with psoriasis receiving biologic drugs as first- or second-line therapy, a finding that provides further evidence of the safety of biologic therapy in patients with psoriasis., (Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

Background: There are very few data available regarding risk factors associated with antibiotic resistant-Neisseria gonorrhoeae., Methods: A study was conducted on 110 samples from 101 patients with gonococcal infection, in order to describe their characteristics and compare them with the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of their samples., Results: An association was observed between resistant infections and heterosexual men, older age, concurrent sexually transmitted infection, and unsafe sexual behaviors., Conclusion: There is a need for improved data on the risk factors associated with antibiotic resistant gonococcal infection in order to identify risk groups, and to propose public health strategies to control this infection., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: In the last decade, the incidence of syphilis has increased in our health area. Our objective is to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with syphilis at our centre and their relationship with HIV., Patients and Methods: The clinical and epidemiological variables of patients diagnosed with syphilis in a third-level hospital over a period of 4.5 years, as well as their HIV status, were analysed through a descriptive study., Results: There was a significant increase in the incidence of syphilis in the period 2011-2015. We included 220 patients, 98% men (94% MSM). 62% were HIV+ and 89% came in early/infectious stages of the disease. 7% were concomitantly diagnosed with HIV. There was a high number of sexual partners and frequent use of drugs associated with sexual activity (46%)., Conclusions: The incidence of syphilis has increased in our centre in the last 2 years. The most affected group is MSM, with high HIV prevalence and risk behaviours for STI acquisition., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The number of consultations for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is increasing in Spain. The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the epidemiological, behavioral, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of patients registered at the STI unit of a tertiary hospital., Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center descriptive study carried out between 2010 and 2013 in a multidisciplinary unit specialized in STIs, situated in a tertiary hospital. Epidemiological, clinical, and behavioral data were gathered using a face-to-face interview and a standardized questionnaire. Samples were collected for microbiology analysis., Results: The study included 546 patients: 96% were men, 41% had human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and 56% were men who have sex with men. The reasons for consultation were the following: urethritis; genital, anal, or perianal ulcers; proctitis; oral ulcers; sexual contact with a person with a known STI; and high-risk sexual contact. The most common microbiological diagnoses were Neisseria gonorrhoeae in urethritis, Treponema pallidum in genital and anal or perianal ulcers, and Chlamydia trachomatis lymphogranuloma venereum serovars in proctitis. The highest prevalences of the main STIs studied occurred in homosexual men with HIV infection., Conclusion: This study confirms the increase in the incidence of STIs in recent years and the epidemiological characteristics of the HIV/STI epidemic in Spain., (Copyright © 2015 AEDV. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis, which is endemic in Spain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis seen in our hospital over a period of 20 years, with a particular focus on clinical differences according to immune status and origin of infection, Materials and Methods: We performed a chart review of 67 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed between 1992 and 2012. Follow-up data were available for 54 patients., Results: Fifty-four patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were included in the study. Of these, 26 had been diagnosed between 1992 and 2002 and 28 between 2003 and 2012. The mean age at diagnosis was 49 years, there was a predominance of male patients, and the mean time from onset of symptoms to consultation was 3 months. The most common clinical manifestations were plaques and ulcers. Most of the immunodepressed patients and patients with imported leishmaniasis had skin ulcers and/or multiple lesions. During the first decade of the study, diagnosis was based on clinical and histologic findings. These were supported by molecular techniques in the second decade. Pentavalent antimonials were the treatment of choice, producing good results and very few adverse effects, Conclusion: The number of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis and with compromised immune status was similar in the periods 1992-2002 and 2003-2013, but more cases of imported leishmaniasis were diagnosed in the second period. Patients with ulcers and/or multiple lesions should be evaluated to rule out immunosuppression or infection by Leishmania species from other parts of the world. Both systemic and intralesional meglumine antimonate was effective and safe., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and AEDV. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Approximately 1% of the general population have venous or arterial lower limb ulcers. These lesions can be treated with biological skin substitutes such as cadaver skin or tissue-engineered skin equivalents, but treatment fails in 25% of cases, resulting in pain and loss of patient autonomy, as well as increased morbidity and health care costs. In the treatment of corneal ulcers, amniotic membrane has been shown to have antimicrobial and bacteriostatic properties, and to protect the wound without eliciting an immune response. The same properties have been reported in the treatment of burns and postthrombotic ulcers., Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of refractory chronic leg ulcers., Patients and Methods: Amniotic membrane was grafted onto 4 refractory ulcers in 3 patients. The mean time required for partial and complete re-epithelialization was calculated by measuring the wound area at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16. Pain intensity was assessed at the same intervals using a visual analog scale., Results: Complete wound re-epithelialization was achieved for 1 ulcer by week 8; in the other 3 cases, there was a 50% reduction in size compared to baseline. At week 16, the mean reduction in wound size for the 4 ulcers was 81.93%. The corresponding reduction in pain intensity was 86.6%. No adverse effects were observed., Conclusions: Amniotic membrane transplantation might be an effective alternative for the treatment of refractory chronic vascular ulcers on the lower limbs., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. and AEDV. All rights reserved.)

Background: Standard compression therapy for venous ulcers of the legs does not promote healing. Although autografting accelerates tissue repair, it is difficult to use in patients with concomitant diseases or when multiple grafts are required. The amniotic membrane has been used as a covering material and promotes epithelialization, making it a good potential treatment option when autografts are not indicated., Objectives: To analyze the literature on the safety and efficacy of amniotic membrane grafting and compare the cost of currently available grafts (autografts, amniotic membrane grafts, and biocompatible skin substitutes) to promote tissue repair in venous ulcers., Material and Methods: A systematic review of the literature on the use of amniotic membrane grafts for the treatment of venous ulcers was performed up to 2010. A cost-minimization analysis of direct healthcare costs was then performed (at 3 and 6 months). A sensitivity analysis was performed to confirm the stability of the results., Results: Only 1 study addressing safety and efficacy was identified. The cost-minimization analysis showed that autografts are always the least-expensive option (€ 1053 compared with € 1825 for amniotic membrane grafts and € 5767 for biocompatible skin grafts). At 6 months, however, amniotic membrane grafts would have cost € 6765 less than the use of biocompatible skin substitutes., Conclusions: Despite having excellent therapeutic potential for the re-epithelialization of venous ulcers that do not respond to conventional treatment, amniotic membrane transplant remains an experimental therapy. Autograft is the most efficient treatment but amniotic membrane graft is less expensive than the use of biocompatible skin substitutes., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier España, S.L. y AEDV. All rights reserved.)

In the last years, there has been a great increase of bacterial resistance to the most frequently used antibiotics. Several factors should be considered when deciding to treat a cutaneous infection with a systemic treatment: characteristics of the patient, infection severity, prevalence and local resistance patterns of pathogens, and properties of available drugs.

The slipping rib syndrome can be produced by a direct or indirect traumatism over the sternal tip of the costal cartilages 8, 9 and 10. The main complains are abdominal pain in the right or left upper abdominal, quadrants, and sometimes a sensation of rubbing or slipping of the ribs. The hoocking maneuver is useful in the diagnosis of this syndrome. Three clinical cases of the slipping rib syndrome are reported. This syndrome must be taken into account is the differential diagnosis of the abdominal pain in pediatric patients.

In 1964 Sweet described a new syndrome, characterized by the association of fever, neutrophilic leukocytosis, erythematous plaque affecting the extremities, neck and face, with histologically verified polymorphonuclear perivascular dermal infiltrates and a rapid response to corticosteroids. Although some 100 cases have since then been described the pathogenesis remains obscure. We present two cases which showed all criteria for Sweet's syndrome, in which the initial presentation of acute onset with fever, multiple skin lesions and especially the poor general state on one, made use at first think of an infectious process such as staphylococcal or gonococcal sepsis, in which case diagnosis must be differential. Only when the causal agent is known and an early skin biopsy is done can correct diagnosis and treatment be established.