Search

to investigate the serum levels of decorin, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan, in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and concurrently presenting with moderate to severe acne vulgaris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with acne vulgaris symptoms, subsequently diagnosed with PCOS according to the revised Rotterdam criteria, were enrolled in the study. Acne severity was assessed using the acne global severity scale (AGSS), with patients fitting AGSS category 4 (moderate) and 5 (severe) grouped into two separate cohorts of 30 individuals each. The moderate acne group comprised patients with few inflammatory lesions and a minor nodule alongside predominantly non-inflammatory lesions, whereas the severe group contained patients with multiple nodules and a mix of non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions. A control group of twenty healthy women without acne vulgaris or PCOS was also established. The study measured serum testosterone, follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and insulin levels, and calculated insulin resistance via the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. Quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay was employed to determine decorin levels from venous blood samples. RESULTS: While age, body mass index (BMI), serum FSH, LH, testosterone, and HOMA-IR values demonstrated similarity between the moderate and severe acne cohorts, comparisons between the control and both acne groups (AGSS-4 and AGSS-5) revealed significantly elevated values in the latter, excluding age, BMI, and FSH. Importantly, the serum decorin levels in both acne groups were substantially higher than in controls. A significant positive correlation was observed between serum decorin levels and both HOMA-IR (r=7.88, p<0.01) and testosterone (r=0.813, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that elevated circulating decorin levels play a pivotal role in the manifestation of acne vulgaris in women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Teledermatology represents an alternative medical approach allowing for the remote assessment of a patient's clinical information without the need for face-to-face consultations., Objectives: This study aims to gauge the public's awareness and perception of teledermatology., Methods: This research employed a cross-sectional observational design. Data collection was executed using an online survey. Sociodemographic attributes of all participants, such as age, gender, and occupation, were recorded. The survey, designed using Google Forms, comprised two sections: demographic information (5 questions) and queries related to teledermatology (10 questions). Questions and options in the survey were reviewed and revised by two dermatologists to eliminate potential misunderstandings, grammar, and other errors. Power analysis indicated a requirement of a minimum of 527 participants, given a 0.05 margin of error, 98% confidence level, and 0.50 response distribution., Results: A total of 873 individuals completed the survey- 47.7% were male and 52.3% were female. Students made up 48.1% of the participants, while 22.6% were civil servants. The Marmara Region had the highest participation rate at 47.7%. Remarkably, 41.9% of participants were unfamiliar with the term "teledermatology". However, 57.2% expressed a preference for consultations via teledermatology. Furthermore, 63.7% mentioned facing challenges when attempting to communicate with dermatologists for skin-related concerns. A notable 71.6% supported the formal implementation of teledermatology in our country., Conclusions: Our survey highlighted a limited awareness of teledermatology among participants, yet a majority showed a preference for teledermatology consultations. For a comprehensive understanding of public knowledge and perception towards teledermatology, more extensive, multicentric studies are necessary.