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Dermatological disorders constitute a significant proportion of primary health care (PHC) setups. The pattern of dermatological disorders varies among different countries and different parts of the same country owing to climatic and geographical variations, level of education, access to health care, etc. To study the clinical spectrum of patients presenting with dermatological disorders at an urban health center (UHC) in East Delhi. To identify the various risk factors associated with dermatological disorders in study subjects. A total of 1,148 patients who reported skin diseases for the first time at the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at UHC in East Delhi were recruited. Detailed demographic data, history, and examination and potential risk factors of skin diseases (socioeconomic status, level of education, occupation, comorbidities, and addictions) were recorded on a predesigned proforma. A total of 616 (53.7%) patients had infectious dermatoses and 532 (46.3%) had non-infectious dermatoses. Among the infectious dermatoses, fungal diseases (44.8%) were the most common followed by parasitic infections (31.17%) and bacterial infections (9.74%). Among the non-infectious group, eczematous disorders (28.01%) were the most common, followed by pigmentary disorders (21.62%) and acne (19.55%). A significant association between level of education, occupation, and comorbidities with the distribution of infectious and non-infectious dermatoses was found. As a significant proportion of patients with a vivid spectrum of dermatological disorders present at the PHC setups, therefore dermatologists supervise that specialty clinics should be held regularly at these centers along with the availability of all the basic investigations to aid diagnosis and management., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Community Medicine.)

Background: Many studies have associated male androgenetic alopecia with the risk of cardiovascular disorders but very few studies have addressed this association in women with FPHL., Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study in which a total of 50 women (18-45 years) were recruited. The objective was to measure carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) by doppler ultrasound, Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, testosterone, Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), hs-CRP, ESR and fibrinogen, in pre-menopausal women having FPHL and to correlate these parameters with severity of FPHL. The prevalence of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Insulin resistance were evaluated., Results: Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were found in 12 (24%) and 17 (34%) cases respectively. Hypercholesterolemia, elevated LDL levels and hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL levels and hyperinsulinemia were found in 11 (22%), 31 (62%), 9 (18%), 17 (34%) and 7 (14%) cases respectively. 8 (16%) cases were diabetics. Elevated ESR, increased fibrinogen levels and elevated hs-CRP were found in 43 (86%), 10 (20%) and 21 (42%) cases respectively. CIMT was found to be within its normal range. Correlation of CIMT, anthropometric indices (BMI and WC), biochemical markers (serum cholesterol, triglycerides, FBS, and fibrinogen), and presence of metabolic syndrome with severity of FPHL in terms of Ludwig grade was found to be statistically significant., Conclusions: The determination of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and acute phase reactants such as hs-CRP and fibrinogen may be useful screening methods to detect increased cardiovascular risk in women with FPHL., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Indian Journal of Dermatology.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Importance: Exact etiopathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains elusive. Infections, pseudoallergens, autoimmunity, and contact sensitization are various postulated factors. Few studies are available measuring cytokine levels in CSU., Objectives: The aim was to study various etiological factors of CSU and levels of IL-6 and IFN-ϒ in cases and controls, and correlation between various etiologies with the levels of the abovementioned interleukins in the cases., Design: Case-control study performed over 2 years with no follow-up of the participants., Setting: It was a referral-center-based study., Participants: Sixty patients of CSU and equal age and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited on the basis of convenience sampling., Exposures: Biochemical and hematological investigations with hepatitis serology, thyroid function tests, anti-thyroid antibodies, and levels IL-6 and IFN-ϒ were performed in all cases and controls. All cases were subjected to ASST. Cases with all above negative tests were patch-tested with Indian standard series. Urticaria activity score (UAS7) was calculated for all the cases and repeated in patients with positive etiological factor after 3 weeks (improvement after allergen or drug avoidance, treatment of infection)., Outcomes: To study the various etiological factors (food, infection, autoimmunity, autoreactivity, and contact sensitization) and the levels of IL-6 and IFN- γ in patients of chronic spontaneous urticaria., Results: Etiology was ascertained in 75% of patients (autoimmunity: 50%, contact sensitization: 21.67%, food and drug allergy: 1.67% each). Mean values of the interleukins and anti-thyroid antibodies were significantly higher in cases versus controls. Levels of IFN-ϒ were significantly elevated in patients with higher UAS7 scores., Conclusion: Antithyroid antibodies, ASST, and patch testing are important tools and should be considered in patients of CSU after a thorough history and history-based workup. Elevated levels of IL-6 and IFN- ϒ in cases suggest that both Th1 and Th2 type of immune responses are implicated in pathogenesis of CSU., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Indian Journal of Dermatology.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Cutaneous sporotrichosis, also known as "Rose Gardener's disease," caused by dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenkii, is usually characterized by indolent nodular or nodulo-ulcerative lesions arranged in a linear pattern. We report bizarre nonlinear presentation of Sporotrichosis, in an immunocompetent adult occurring after a visit to Amazon rain forest, speculating infection with more virulent species of Sporothrix. The diagnosis was reached with the help of periodic acid-Schiff positive yeast cells and cigar shaped bodies seen in skin biopsy along with the therapeutic response to potassium iodide.

Postprocedural chest radiograph is done to illustrate the position of endotracheal tubes (ETTs), nasogastric and drainage tubes, indwelling catheters, and intravascular lines or any other lifesaving devices to confirm their position. These devices are intended to save life, but may be life-threatening if in the wrong place. The incidence of malposition and complications ranges from 3% to 14%, respectively. The portable chest radiograph is of tremendous value, inexpensive and can be obtained quickly at the patient's bedside in any location of the hospital. A systemic literature search was performed in PubMed and the Cochranre library by setting up the search using either single text word or combinations. Those studies were also included where the chest radiograph was compared with other imaging modalities. Its clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness and practicality allow anesthesiologist to evaluate the post-procedural position and complications of ETT, indwelling catheters, and multi lumen intravascular lines. Knowledge of the radiological features of commonly used devices is of utmost importance.