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Background: Chronic prurigo (CPG) presents with pruriginous lesions and reduced quality of life (QoL). Established treatment options are often unsatisfying. Little is known about the efficacy of topical occlusive treatments. Patients often report rapid relief of symptoms when using topical occlusive zinc oxide patches (ZOP). We, therefore, aimed to assess the efficacy of ZOP., Methods: In this randomized controlled split-body crossover study, 22 participants were analyzed, receiving three treatments sequentially: ZOP, topical betamethasone 17-valerate (topical glucocorticosteroids [TGCs]), and both ZOP and TGC combined (ZOP + TGC). Each intervention was applied to either the right or left side of the body for seven consecutive days. Outcomes were a count of active excoriated pruriginous lesions (APLs), itch, recurrence of APL, QoL, and treatment comfort. They were assessed through photographs and questionnaires: modified Prurigo Activity and Severity Score, modified Itchy Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Therapy Comfort Score., Results: We observed a significant reduction of 46% in APL count for ZOP (95% CI from 30% to 58%, p value: <0.0001). Similar reduction was seen for ZOP + TGC, and a lower reduction was seen for TGC alone (48% [95% CI from 33% to 60%, p value: <0.0001] vs. 26% [95% CI from 4% to 43%, p value: 0.02]). APL counts on the non-treated side remained stable. Significant reduction in itch was observed after all treatments, with the largest improvement for ZOP + TGC, followed by TGC and, lastly, ZOP alone (-2.3 units [95% CI from -3.5 to -1.1, p value: 0.00015] vs. -1.5 units [95% CI from -2.8 to -0.3, p value: 0.01 vs. -1.4 units [95% CI from -2.6 to -0.2, p value: 0.02]). QoL increased significantly after ZOP + TGC as well as after TGC (-8.3 units [95% CI from -13.6 to -3.1, p value: 0.0018] vs. -5.7 units [95% CI from -10.9 to -0.5, p value: 0.03]). A good subjective response concerning treatment comfort was observed., Conclusion: ZOP are effective in reducing APL after 1 week of treatment. Adding TGC to ZOP did not add considerable benefit in reducing APL. All three treatments reduced itch and improved QoL, with the largest improvement shown by ZOP combined with TGC. Patients tolerated ZOP well and reported no adverse events. We therefore suggest ZOP combined with TGC as an effective, fast-acting, low-cost treatment for reducing APL and itch in patients with CPG., (© 2023 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Chronic prurigo (CPG) is a pruritic skin disease, characterized by an itch-scratch cycle and scarring. It reduces patients' quality of life (QoL). Dupilumab is a monoclonal human IgG antibody that inhibits signaling of the interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 13 (IL-13) pathways through blockade of the IL-4 receptor. Patients with CPG who receive dupilumab often report great improvement in itch and overall QoL. We therefore reviewed our experience in order to follow up on QoL, safety, and treatment response in patients with CPG who received dupilumab., Methods: We conducted a real-world retrospective single-center case series. Outcomes were assessed by phone interviews and photographs using validated questionnaires and scores. Demographic data were obtained from the hospital files. Follow-up was up to 2 years. We assessed QoL with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Itchy quality of life questionnaire (ItchyQoL). Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to assess itch. Prurigo lesions were documented with the Prurigo activity and severity score (PAS)., Results: Ten patients were included in this study. Results were reported up to 2 years after treatment with dupilumab. The response variables for DLQI, ItchyQoL, NRS, and PAS analyses showed a statistically significant decrease over time (DLQI: p ≤ 0.0001 [-0.84; -1.27], ItchyQoL: p ≤ 0.0001 [-9.89; -18.69], NRS maximum and average: p ≤ 0.0001 [-0.52; -0.86] and p ≤ 0.0001 [-0.55; -0.94], and PAS number of lesions: p = 0.0005 [-1.70; -5.28]). The percent decrease after 1 year of treatment (this estimate is based on model estimates) ranges from -42% to -82%. Four (40%) patients reported mild side effects. No serious side effects were reported., Conclusion: Dupilumab treatment of CGP for up to 2 years is associated with improved QoL and less itching., (© 2023 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Importance: Skin cancer, in particular squamous cell carcinoma, is the most frequent malignancy among solid organ transplant recipients with a higher incidence compared to the general population., Objective: To determine the skin cancer incidence in organ transplant recipients in Switzerland and to assess the impact of immunosuppressants and other risk factors., Design: Prospective cohort study of solid organ transplant recipients in Switzerland enrolled in the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study from 2008 to 2013., Participants: 2,192 solid organ transplant recipients., Materials and Methods: Occurrence of first and subsequent squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, melanoma and other skin cancers after transplantation extracted from the Swiss Transplant Cohort Study database and validated by medical record review. Incidence rates were calculated for skin cancer overall and subgroups. The effect of risk factors on the occurrence of first skin cancer and recurrent skin cancer was calculated by the Cox proportional hazard model., Results: In 2,192 organ transplant recipients, 136 (6.2%) developed 335 cases of skin cancer during a median follow-up of 32.4 months, with squamous cell carcinoma as the most frequent one. 79.4% of skin cancer patients were male. Risk factors for first and recurrent skin cancer were age at transplantation, male sex, skin cancer before transplantation and previous transplantation. For a first skin cancer, the number of immunosuppressive drugs was a risk factor as well., Conclusions and Relevance: Skin cancer following solid organ transplantation in Switzerland is greatly increased with risk factors: age at transplantation, male sex, skin cancer before transplantation, previous transplantation and number of immunosuppressive drugs., (© 2020 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

We describe the case of a 32-year-old woman who presented to the hospital with generalized painful exanthema, blisters and erosions 1 month after giving birth to a healthy girl. The patient's medical history was inconspicuous for comorbidities; however, it included the incidental intake of pain killers and a herbal preparation (fenugreek), which she took regularly over the last 4 weeks to improve lactation. Based on the clinical characteristics, we suspected toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), a severe cutaneous adverse drug reaction, which was confirmed by skin biopsy. The patient was treated with high-dose intravenous human immunoglobulins and was discharged 2 weeks after hospital admission in good condition. The allergological workup identified fenugreek as the most likely causative agent. Given the increased self-medication of freely available phytotherapeutics by patients in industrialized countries, herbal mixtures should be taken into consideration in the diagnostic workup of TEN.