Search

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Sodium cromoglicate (SCG) is a chromone with anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and anti-allergic activity. This trial is a 12-week comparison (RCT) of a 4% SCG cutaneous emulsion with its vehicle in AD. Materials and methods: 208 children aged 2-12 years participated, 104 in each group. The primary endpoint was change in SCORAD score. Secondary endpoints included SASSAD score, topical steroid usage and global assessments. Results: SCORAD was reduced by 28% (SCG group) and by 19% (vehicle): difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.03) after 8 weeks and nearly significant ( p = 0.09) after 12. A similar result occurred in SASSAD ( p = 0.001 at 8 weeks). In subjects without major protocol deviations (SCG-64, vehicle-63), difference in SCORAD remained significant at 12 weeks ( p = 0.04). Weight of topical steroids reduced in both groups: −0.60 ± 1.3 g/day (35%), SCG and −0.05 ± 1.1 g/day vehicle ( p = 0.04). Treatment success, defined as investigator global opinion graded very or moderately effective, was significantly more frequent in SCG group ( p = 0.025). Application site discomfort reported by 12.5% of subjects in SCG group and 16.5% in vehicle group. Conclusions: SCG 4% cutaneous emulsion provides an effective, well-tolerated, steroid-sparing treatment for AD in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to explore parents and carers' experiences of searching for information about childhood eczema on the internet. Design: A qualitative interview study was carried out among carers of children aged 5 years or less with a recorded diagnosis of eczema. The main focus of the study was to explore carers' beliefs and understandings around eczema and its treatment. As part of this, we explored experiences of formal and informal information seeking about childhood eczema. Transcripts of interviews were analysed thematically. Setting: Participants were recruited from six general practices in South West England. Participants: Interviews were carried out with 31 parents from 28 families. Results: Experiences of searching for eczema information on the internet varied widely. A few interviewees were able to navigate through the internet and find the specific information they were looking for (for instance about treatments their child had been prescribed), but more found searching for eczema information online to be a bewildering experience. Some could find no information of relevance to them, whereas others found the volume of different information sources overwhelming. Some said that they were unsure how to evaluate online information or that they were wary of commercial interests behind some information sources. Interviewees said that they would welcome more signposting towards high quality information from their healthcare providers. Conclusions: We found very mixed experiences of seeking eczema information on the internet; but many participants in this study found this to be frustrating and confusing. Healthcare professionals and healthcare systems have a role to play in helping people with long-term health conditions and their carers find reliable online information to support them with self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations inactivating the STS gene cause X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), whereas null mutations in the FLG gene cause ichthyosis vulgaris. Two brothers presented with XLI. One had a typical fine scaling, and the other was much more severely affected. Both patients carried STS missense mutation T165I. Furthermore, the more severely affected patient also carried heterozygous FLG mutation R501X, which was absent from his mildly affected brother. These data suggest that disrupting epidermal differentiation via different pathways can increase phenotypic severity. Owing to the high population frequency of FLG mutations, filaggrin is a possible genetic modifier in other genodermatoses.Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2007) 127, 2795–2798; doi:10.1038/sj.jid.5700971; published online 26 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]