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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Thai version of FDLQI. Materials and Methods: Patients and their accompanying family members attending the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at Siriraj Hospital were asked to complete the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), FDLQI, and the global question of their QoL (GQoL). The severity of the disease was assessed by physicians, the patients and the family members of the patients. Results: One hundred family members accompanying 92 patients with dermatological diseases (63% with inflammatory skin diseases and 37% with non-inflammatory skin diseases) were included. The mean age of the family members was 43.5±12.1 years and 70% were women. They had been mostly employed (74%) and graduated from universities (65%). Validity was demonstrated by a positive correlation between FDLQI and GQoL scores (rs=0.695, P<0.001), and between FDLQI and severity of the patient's disease (rs=0.578, P<0.001) as evaluated by family members. The FDLQI showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.84) and test-retest reliability (ICC= 0.85). Conclusion: The construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the Thai FDLQI demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. The Thai version of FDLQI can be used to assess the QoL of family members of patients with any dermatological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Atopic dermatitis is a common disease that is diagnosed by use of Hanifin, Lobitz and Rajka′s criteria based on patient history and clinical features. However these criteria are not suitable for population-based studies. Aims: The purpose of this study is to develop a minimum list of diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis that is sensitive, specific, reproducible, noninvasive, applicable to adult Thai population and easy to perform in population-based studies. Settings and Design: This study was conducted at Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Materials and Methods: The new cases of typical mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and exactly age-matched and sex-matched controls presenting with an inflammatory skin disease other than atopic dermatitis were selected from Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital. Each subject was examined with reference to 31 clinically diagnostic features of atopic dermatitis proposed by Hanifin and Rajka. One hundred and forty patients (70 cases and 70 controls) were studied. Statistical Analysis Used: Sensitivity and specificity of each criterion was calculated using the dermatologist′s diagnosis as the standard. Regression techniques were then used to derive a minimum set of diagnostic criteria. Results: Using multiple logistic regression techniques, a minimum set of diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis was derived: visible flexural dermatitis, history of flexural dermatitis, duration of rash> 6 months and visible dry skin. Conclusions: A minimum list of diagnostic criteria for atopic dermatitis was derived that should be of use in Thai population-based studies.

Byline: Wararat. Sirikudta, Papapit. Tuchinda, Leena. Chularojanamontri, Kanokvalai. Kulthanan, Samruay. Pinkaew Context: In vivo epidermal nuclear staining (ENS) can be found in patients with autoimmune connective tissue diseases (CNTDs) and [...]

Background: Association between chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and autoimmunity has been well documented. Autologous serum skin testing could support the autoimmune etiology of CSU, whereas it is difficult to interpret and could not be performed on antihistamine omitted patients. It was found that immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies (autoAbs) against high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεR1) were suggested as a potential trigger in the pathogenesis of CSU. Although many ELISA protocols have been developed to detect these autoAbs, they lacked validation or a reliable cut-off point. We, therefore, aimed to develop a validated ELISA with a reliable cut-off point to quantitate IgG anti-FcεR1α autoAbs for CSU.Methods: We developed an in-house ELISA to quantitate IgG anti-FcεR1α autoAbs. Sera from 233 CSU patients and 25 healthy people were used to test with ELISA. The cut-off point was obtained from the results subjected to analyze with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. ELISA was validated with 116 CSU patients and 150 healthy donors.Results: ELISA revealed that healthy people had a basal level of IgG anti-FcεR1α autoAbs, whereas their levels were significantly lower than autoAbs levels in CSU patients. ROC analysis of ELISA determined the cut-off point at 936.7 ng/ml. Our ELISA was validated and provided excellent sensitivity and specificity at 98.28% and 92.67%, respectively.Conclusion: Our ELISA could detect significant levels of IgG anti-FcεR1α autoAbs in CSU, supporting that these autoAbs were associated with CSU etiology. Our validated ELISA with the reliable cut-off point provided excellent accuracy at 95.11% (98.28% sensitivity and 92.67% specificity). Our ELISA could be an alternative test benefit for the patient who is unable to omit antihistamine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adult female acne (AFA) may be different from adolescent acne, and may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The objective of the study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of AFA, and the factors significantly associated with PCOS in AFA. Methods: AFA patients aged 25 years or older were enrolled. History taking and dermatologic examinations were performed by dermatologists. PCOS was diagnosed by gynaecologists. Perimenopausal acne (aged 45 years or older) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were also evaluated. Results: Among 208 patients, mean age was 31.8 ± 7.1 years and 47.1%, 26.9%, and 26% had persistent, late‐onset, and recurrent acne, respectively. The common aggravating factors included pre‐menstruation (72.6%) and stress (53.8%). Recurrent acne was significantly aggravated by cosmetic products. Higher body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated with acne severity. Acne lesions were predominately located on both cheeks (87.0%) and at the perioral area (81.7%). PCOS was identified in 48.1%. Younger age (≥25 to <33 years), premenstrual flare, and irregular menstruation, but not hirsutism or androgenetic alopecia, were associated with PCOS in univariate and multivariate analysis. Perimenopausal acne was identified in 6.7%. The total mean DLQI score was 8.0 ± 5.4 (range from 0 to 23). Conclusions: Persistent acne with moderate severity was common in AFA patients and higher BMI was associated with acne severity. PCOS should be screened in AFA patients with younger age, premenstrual flare, and irregular menstruation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]