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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory articular disease regarded as a specific subtype of psoriasis. Long‐term assessment for PsA using ultrasonography has not yet been investigated. The present study was conducted to delineate the changes in articular lesions after the initiation of biologics using ultrasonography, and to provide the evidence of the utility of ultrasonography in long‐term follow‐up of PsA patients. We retrospectively recruited 17 Japanese PsA patients treated with biologics who met the classification criteria for psoriatic arthritis. Ultrasonographic images were recorded using a high‐frequency linear 18 MHz probe through Doppler‐ and B‐modes. Before the treatment with biologics, all examined patients (100%) had enthesitis and extensor tendinitis, while only six patients (35.3%) had loss of the fibrillar pattern of the tendon (LFP). There were significant changes over time in the numerical rating scale score for pain, and in the degree of ultrasonographic findings, including enthesitis, extensor tendinitis, and LFP. Also, there were significant changes over time between these ultrasonographic findings. The study identified the improvement course for a specific PsA lesion after the initiation of biologics. The improvement courses in enthesitis, extensor tendinitis, and LFP were found to differ from each other. These results may contribute to deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of PsA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder primarily affecting the facial skin, prominently involving the cheeks, nose, chin, forehead, and periorbital area. Cutaneous manifestations encompass persistent facial erythema, phymas, papules, pustules, telangiectasia, and flushing. The pathogenesis of rosacea is associated with various exacerbating or triggering factors, including microbial infestation, temperature fluctuations, sunlight exposure, physical exertion, emotional stress, consumption of hot beverages and spicy foods, and exposure to airborne pollen. These environmental factors interact with genetic predispositions in the development of rosacea. The roles of the lipophilic microbiome, ultraviolet radiation, nociceptive responses, and vascular alterations have been proposed as significant factors in the pathogenesis. These insights contribute to understanding the anatomical specificity of facial involvement and the progressive nature of rosacea. East Asian skin, predominantly classified as Fitzpatrick skin phototypes III to IV, is characterized by relatively diminished skin barrier function and increased sensitivity to irritants. Airborne pollen exposure may particularly act as a trigger in East Asian individuals, possibly mediated through toll‐like receptors. The lack of specificity in objective clinical and histopathological findings leads to diagnostic challenges for individuals with colored skin, including East Asians, particularly when erythema is the sole objective manifestation. An alternative diagnostic scheme may thus be necessary. A diagnostic approach emphasizing vascular manifestations and nociceptive symptoms potentially holds promise for individuals with darker skin tones. More research focusing on potential variations in skin physiology across different racial groups is essential to establish more effective diagnostic schemes applicable to both dark and light skin colors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the progression of parapsoriasis, a group of diseases that includes pityriasis lichenoides (PL), small-plaque parapsoriasis (SPP), and large-plaque parapsoriasis (LPP), to mycosis fungoides (MF), a type of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). While PL rarely progresses to MF, SPP and LPP have occasionally been observed to progress to MF. The article presents a case study of a Japanese man with LPP who eventually developed MF, and analyzes the clonality of T cell receptors (TCRs) in skin samples over time. The study suggests that TCR clonality may be a key factor in differentiating parapsoriasis from MF, but further research is needed to validate these findings. [Extracted from the article]

The clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of acral melanoma of the foot (AMF) have not been sufficiently elucidated. Clinical or subclinical persistent inflammation of the feet is caused by dermatophytosis of the feet (DPF). Persistent inflammation is potentially associated with oncogenesis. Moreover, diabetes has been reported to be associated with the development of dermatophytosis and cancer. The present study aimed to elucidate the clinical association between DPF and AMF, with consideration of diabetes. The medical records of 114 Japanese patients were retrospectively examined and divided into an AMF group (n = 30) and a control group consisting of patients with foot diseases other than melanoma (n = 84). Microscopic DPF screening was performed on all patients who reported symptoms in the foot, with or without AMF. Patients underwent a microscopic test to detect the presence of dermatophytes, and the diagnosis of DPF was made based on a positive result. In the AMF group, 18 (60.0%) and eight (26.7%) patients had DPF and diabetes, respectively. Four patients (13.3%) had both DPF and diabetes. In the control group, 25 (29.8%) and 11 (13.1%) patients had DPF and diabetes, respectively. Five patients (6.0%) had both DPF and diabetes. Univariate analyses showed a significantly higher prevalence of DPF in the AMF group than in the control group (odds ratio, 3.540; p = 0.003, Pearson χ2 test). Furthermore, multivariate analyses of sex, body mass index, DPF, and diabetes revealed DPF as a significant factor associated with AMF (odds ratio, 4.285; p = 0.002, logistic regression analysis). The hyperkeratotic type of DPF was more frequently observed in patients with AMF than in control patients (odds ratio, 11.083; p < 0.001, Pearson χ2 test). In conclusion, the present study found a significantly higher prevalence of DPF, especially its hyperkeratotic type, in patients with AMF. DPF may be associated with AMF pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the relationship between the number and location of itchy sites and the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD). The study used the 5-D Itch Scale (5-DIS) to measure the distribution of itchy sites on AD patients. The results showed that the total score of 5-DIS was highly correlated with itch visual analogue scale (VAS), indicating that the number of itchy sites is an important factor in evaluating the condition of AD. Additionally, specific sites such as the abdomen, chest, groin, and buttocks were found to have a strong association with increased itch VAS. The study suggests that dermatologists should consider reducing the number of itchy sites as a treatment goal. [Extracted from the article]

Apalutamide is an antiandrogen used to treat prostate cancer. Although it sometimes induces mild cutaneous adverse events and occasionally severe ones, clinical differences between severe and mild cases remain unclear. To assess the risks in patients experiencing apalutamide‐related cutaneous adverse events (ARCAEs), we aimed to characterize severe and mild ARCAEs in terms of onset time and lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) for apalutamide. We reviewed 41 ARCAE cases: 24 from our institute and 17 from the literature, comprising (i) eight severe cases including six with toxic epidermal necrolysis, one with acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, and one with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, and (ii) 33 mild cases. Patients with evere cases developed ARCAEs significantly earlier than patients with mild cases (5.2 vs 9.6 weeks). No severe cases appeared ≥8 weeks after initiation of apalutamide. LTTs showed positive results in two of seven mild cases (28.6%) and four of four severe cases (100.0%). In conclusion, we found that severe ARCAEs are characterized by earlier onset and LTT positivity. Dermatologists and urologists should pay special attention to patients who develop ARCAEs <8 weeks after initiating apalutamide and/or show positive LTT results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]