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Background: To assess baseline knowledge and awareness of cardiometabolic comorbidities in subjects with psoriasis. To determine the impact of a verbal scripted educational intervention., Methods: Fifty-six adults with a clinical diagnosis of moderate to severe psoriasis completed a 12-item questionnaire about psoriasis comorbidity awareness and knowledge at 2 time points: pre-intervention (PR-I) and post-intervention (PO-I). The PR-I questionnaire collected information on history of psoriasis and cardiometabolic disease. A 5-minute scripted educational intervention was administered during a single study visit to subjects immediately after PR-I but prior to PO-I questionnaires. Subjects also completed a final questionnaire at 2 months follow-up (2-MF). Responses were statistically analyzed using McNemar's test., Results: Fifty-six subjects (26 females, 30 males, mean age 51 years, range 21 to 83 years) participated in the PR-I and PO-I and 46 (82%) participated in 2-MF. Significant improvements were noted for 10 of 11 questions between PR-I and PO-I, and 8 of the scores remained significantly improved (compared with baseline) at 2-MF (P<0.05). At 2-MF, 65% of subjects had seen a primary care physician within the 2-month interval from PO-I to 2-MF, and another 26% planned to visit a primary care physician in the near future. Furthermore, 85% had checked their blood pressure in the past 2 months., Conclusions: Measures of knowledge and awareness of psoriasis and cardiometabolic comorbidities were significantly improved at PO-I and retained for most measures at 2-MF. An educational intervention, as utilized in this study, warrants consideration to enhance cardiometabolic-based knowledge and awareness in patients with psoriasis. , , J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(10):1176-1180.

Background: Vitiligo, although asymptomatic, highly compromises patients' quality of life (QoL). Therefore, an adequate evaluation of QoL is essential., Objectives: Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of VitiQol (Vitiligo-specific health-related quality of life instrument) into Brazilian Portuguese., Methods: The study was conducted in two stages; the first stage was the translation and cultural/linguistic adaptation of the instrument; the second stage was the instrument's validation., Results: The translated VitiQol showed high internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.944) and high test-retest reliability and intraclass correlation coefficient=0.95 (CI 95% 0.86 - 0.98), p<0.001. There was no statistically significant difference between the means of the first completion of the VitiQoL questionnaire and the retest, p = 0.661. There was a significant correlation between VitiQoL and DLQI (r = 0.776, p <0.001) and also between VitiQoL-PB and subjects' assessment of the severity of their disease (r = 0.702, p <0.001)., Conclusions: The impact of vitiligo on the QoL of Brazilian patients can be assessed by a specific questionnaire.

Background: Photosensitivity (PS) in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) contributes to decreased quality of life (QoL)., Aims: We aimed to assess baseline knowledge about sun protection in persons with CLE and identify knowledge differences by race. Additionally, we aimed to determine the impact of a verbal educational intervention on photoprotection and CLE., Methods: 31 adults with CLE were recruited from an academic-based dermatology clinic and completed a 17-item questionnaire about CLE and sun protection at three time points: pre- intervention (PR-I), post-intervention (PO-I), and 3-month phone follow up (3MF). An educational intervention using American Academy of Dermatology CLE and sun protection education materials was delivered between PR-I and PO-I., Results: 31 subjects participated at PR-I and PO-I, and 25 subjects (81%) at 3MF. Baseline CLE-related PS and photoprotection knowledge differed significantly by race, with non-Caucasians demonstrating less knowledge (P= 0.049). Knowledge about sun exposure being linked to lupus increased from 81% to 97% (P=0.25) between PR-I and PO-I. At PR-I, 19% agreed that smoking was linked to lupus compared to 90% PO-I (P<0.001). There was increased knowledge of lupus risk for non-Caucasians, UV exposure indoors, and photo-avoidance during peak daytime (P<0.001)., Conclusion: There is a baseline disparity in knowledge related to PS and photo protection in CLE by race. A short educational intervention successfully improved immediate lupus-related PS and sun exposure knowledge, but knowledge was not retained long-term. It appears educational materials must be improved.

Background: The Internet is a commonly utilized health information resource that provides access to information of varying quality., Objective: We sought to evaluate the use of the Internet as a health information resource within a keloid patient population and the effects of an educational intervention on patient knowledge about keloids.
, Methods: A consecutive convenience sample of subjects completed a questionnaire on keloid-related Internet use and on personal and family history of keloids. Participants listened to a short educational intervention on keloid-related topics followed by assessment of relevant knowledge at baseline, immediately postintervention, and 3 months after the intervention., Results: Among 40 participants, 55% reported having used the Internet to obtain keloid-related information. Subjects who had used the Internet to obtain keloid-related information had baseline knowledge similar to those who had not. When subjects were assessed immediately and 3 months postintervention, the intervention improved knowledge that not all raised scars are keloids, that keloids are not cancerous, and that certain areas of the body are more prone to keloid formation. The proportion of subjects who reported being less likely to obtain piercings or tattoos because of the intervention was 80% and 75%, respectively., Limitations: This study was performed at a single academic center., Conclusion: The Internet is a commonly used information resource for keloid-prone individuals, but keloid-related knowledge was not greater among Internet keloid-related information seekers. A very short educational intervention benefits keloid-prone individuals by improving knowledge about keloid prevention and treatment and by discouraging them from obtaining piercings and tattoos.

Keloids are the result of an overgrowth of dense fibrous tissue that usually develops after healing of a skin injury. Despite their common occurrence, keloids remain one of the most challenging dermatologic conditions to successfully treat. They are often symptomatic, do not usually regress spontaneously, and tend to recur after excision. Prevention of keloids is essential. A previous history of keloid development should be elicited. Wound closure with minimal tension and application of adjunctive therapies before abnormal healing is paramount. Education regarding wound care should be given in order to prevent infection and foreign body reactions. Elective surgery should be avoided in patients predisposed to developing keloids. In this article, we review recent advances in medical and surgical treatment of keloids.

Vitiligo, an acquired disease of depigmentation, affects millions worldwide. The psychosocial and health-related quality of life (HRQL) impact of the disease varies based on several parameters, including country of origin, skin type, gender, age, marital status, and involved body site. Many instruments, both dermatology specific and dermatology nonspecific, have been used to measure HRQL. Assessing HRQL in vitiligo is an important part of disease management., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Progressive macular hypomelanosis is an under-recognized disorder characterized by the presence of numerous ill-defined hypopigmented macules and patches on the trunk of young adults. Although common, particularly in Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI, this condition is frequently misdiagnosed and treated inadequately with antifungals or topical steroids resulting in patient frustration. The exact pathogenesis of progressive macular hypomelanosis is unknown; however, recent studies suggest hypopigmentation results from decreased melanin formation and altered melanosome distribution in response to Proprionibacterium. While there are no well-established or consistently effective therapies for progressive macular hypomelanosis, our growing understanding of its pathogenesis urges consideration of alternative treatment strategies. Here, we report five patients with progressive macular hypomelanosis who benefitted from topical and systemic antimicrobial therapy and summarize the current clinical, pathological and treatment paradigms of this disorder.