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Byline: Rita. Vora, Rahul Krishna. Kota, Rochit. Singhal, Gopikrishnan. AnjaneyanContext: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a hereditary androgen-dependent disorder, characterized by gradual conversion of terminal hair into miniaturized hair and defined [...]

Background: An adverse cutaneous drug reaction (ACDR) is an undesirable change in structure and function of the skin, its appendages, or mucous membranes due to drugs. Aims and Objectives: To study the demographic details, clinical patterns, mucocutaneous involvement, causality, and the offending drugs causing ACDR. Materials and Methods: In this observational study, we have seen 2,96,544 patients in the skin department at a rural‑based tertiary health‑care hospital, out of which 728 cases were diagnosed to have ACDR from a time span of April 2010 to March 2021. The causality assessment system WHO‑UMC (World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for International Drug Monitoring, the Uppsala Monitoring Centre), the Naranjo probability scale, and Hartwigs score were calculated for patients. Results: Out of 728 cases, males were 371 (50.96%); most common age group was 21–30 years (25.13%). The most common presenting complaint was erythematous rash (21.29%). Antimicrobials (n = 345, 47.39%) were the most common drug group. Most common mucosa involved was oral mucosa and most common pattern of reaction seen was maculopapular rash (25%) among these patients. In the causality assessment using WHO guidelines, there were 66 (9.1%) certain, 224 (30.83%) probable, and 436 (60%) possible cases. Naranjo score showed 73 (10%) definite cases, 255 (35%) probable cases, and 400 (55%) possible cases, while Hartwigs score showed level 2 in 122 (16.7%) cases and level 3 in 412 (56.7%) cases. Conclusion: Wide spectrum of drug reactions were observed in this study. Antimicrobials were the most common causative agents of ACDR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Presently the leprosy program has no defined surveillance protocols for patients who complete the fixed duration multidrug therapy and are released from treatment (RFT). Hence, the information about the post‑RFT events in these patients is sparse and qualitative and quantitative data regarding their health care requirements is missing. During the DermLep survey carried out by the Indian Association of Dermatologists,Venereologists and Leprologists (IADVL), a number of patients presented to dermatologists during the post RFT period for a variety of symptoms. This paper analyses the events in these patients during the post RFT period. Results: Out of a total of 3701 leprosy patients who presented to 201 dermatologists across India during the DermLep survey, 708 (26.2%) were in the post RFT period (488 males; 220 females). Of these, 21% were PB and 79% MB patients as per their treatment records. Majority were in the age group of 31‑59 years (55.5%); however, a significant proportion of them (20.7%) were elderly (>60 years). Majority of the patients (45.5%) presented within the first year of RFT with variable symptoms; 28% were between 1‑5 years, 5.5% between 5‑10 years; and 11.0% presented more than 10 years after RFT. Most common presenting complaint being persistent skin lesions as perceived by patients in 21.2%, followed by neuritis in 14.5%; trophic ulcers in 13.8%; deformities in 67 (11.8%); lepra reactions in 66 (11.6%); and recurrence of original symptoms in 6.7%. Conclusion: The DermLep Survey highlights the importance of ‘post RFT’ patients as an important subset of leprosy patients who visit dermatologists for various health related issues. The most common complaints in this subset were active/persistent skin lesions, lepra reactions and neuritis. In these patients, who are a sub‑group of ‘persons affected with leprosy’ the disease related issues can persist for many years post RFT. Hence, it is important to provide services in the programme to monitor and manage these complications for the prevention of impairments, disability and the related social issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Rita. Vora, Gopikrishnan. Anjaneyan, Rajat. Gupta Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare aggressive tumor of capillary and lymphatic endothelial cell origin. Cutaneous angiosarcoma of the head and neck regions seems [...]

Byline: Soaham. Desai, Rita. Vora, Sheela. Bharani Garcia-Hafner-Happle syndrome, also known as Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 epidermal nevus syndrome, is a new neurocutaneous phenotype, which has been identified in [...]

Context: Vitiligo is an autoimmune pigmentary disorder characterized by localized or generalized depigmentation of the skin. It is associated with significant stigma and has impact on patient's quality of life (QoL) and psychological wellbeing. Aims: To see the variance in QoL and level of depression in vitiligo patients with extent of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: Vitiligo patients aged ≥18 years attending OPD were included in the study. Impairment in QoL was assessed by administering DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) and VIS22 (Vitiligo Impact Scale22). Depression was assessed by administering QIDSSR16 (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology). The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) was calculated based on clinical examination. Results: One hundred and fifty patients enrolled. Most common age group was 18–30 years. Mean DLQI, VIS22, QIDSSR16 scores were 7.02, 16.37, 5.87, respectively. QoL was affected to some extent in 85.3% and 86.7% according to the DLQI and VIS22, respectively. Depression was seen in 44%. Coclusion: Young patients showed higher impairment in QoL and also higher levels of depression. It would be useful to offer psychiatric consult and counseling in addition to specific treatment.Context: Vitiligo is an autoimmune pigmentary disorder characterized by localized or generalized depigmentation of the skin. It is associated with significant stigma and has impact on patient's quality of life (QoL) and psychological wellbeing. Aims: To see the variance in QoL and level of depression in vitiligo patients with extent of vitiligo. Materials and Methods: Vitiligo patients aged ≥18 years attending OPD were included in the study. Impairment in QoL was assessed by administering DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) and VIS22 (Vitiligo Impact Scale22). Depression was assessed by administering QIDSSR16 (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology). The Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (VASI) was calculated based on clinical examination. Results: One hundred and fifty patients enrolled. Most common age group was 18–30 years. Mean DLQI, VIS22, QIDSSR16 scores were 7.02, 16.37, 5.87, respectively. QoL was affected to some extent in 85.3% and 86.7% according to the DLQI and VIS22, respectively. Depression was seen in 44%. Conclusion: Young patients showed higher impairment in QoL and also higher levels of depression. It would be useful to offer psychiatric consult and counseling in addition to specific treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Palms and soles are the readily visible areas of the body that are affected in various dermatoses. This may have considerable concern to the patient and can cause diagnostic dilemma. Moreover, palmoplantar dermatoses also limit our day to day activities with a significant impact on quality of life. Aim: To study the clinical profile of patients suffering from palmoplantar dermatoses at a tertiary care centre. Patients and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out from June 2014 to May 2015 in the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprosy at a rural tertiary care centre after taking approval from the institutional ethical committee. In total, 202 cases were enrolled. The study was analyzed using Chi-square test. Results: A total of 202 patients were enrolled, among which 53.46% were males. The most common age group affected was 17-40 years (42.57%). Duration of less than 1 month was seen in 31.7% cases whereas 29.7% showed seasonal variation. The most common chief complaint was itching (69.8%). Palmoplantar psoriasis was the most common dermatosis with 28.22% cases, followed by keratinizing disorders with 26.72% cases. Palms were involved in 66.34% cases, soles in 69.30%, and both palms and soles in 37.12% cases. Other body parts were involved in 15.34% of the cases. Diabetes and hypertension were common comorbid conditions seen in 11.4% of the cases each. Conclusion: Palmoplantar psoriasis was the most common disorder affecting palms and soles followed by palmoplantar keratoderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Scabies is a contagious disease primarily related to poverty and overcrowding, it rapidly spreads from person to person specially in people with poor hygiene. We come across many patients from rural areas with scabies. In India the incidence ranges from 13% to 59% in rural and urban areas. Many people complain of sleep disturbances and affection of work and leisure activities due to itching. Very few studies are done in India about the affection of quality of life in such patients. Aim: To study the demographic details, clinical profile and quality of life in patients with scabies. Materials and Methods: A prospective, observational and cross-sectional study conducted at Department of Dermatology and Venereology, rural based tertiary care centre, Gujarat for a period of 6 months from March to August 2015, after ethical approval from the institute. Study included all patients with clinical features suggestive of scabies. The data including age, sex, occupation, education, socioeconomic status, complaints, past history, family history and clinical features along with the questionnaire for affection of quality of life were recorded in predesigned proforma and detailed analysis was done. Total of 102 newly diagnosed scabies patients attending skin OPD were included in the study. Results: Out of 102 patients, 50.98% were males. The most common age group affected was 21-40 years, in 44.11% patients. Students were commonly affected with 41.17% followed by housewives with 20.58% cases. Most common lesion seen was papules in 84.3% followed by excoriations in 82.3% cases. Maximum 51.6% adults had small effect on quality of life while 62.5% children reported minimal effect on quality of life. Conclusion: Scabies is an important and commonly encountered health problem which is highly contagious and if not attended timely and adequately can affect the quality of life in the form of work affection, sleep disturbances and psychosocial problems in patients as well as its family members. This could be easily prevented if the patients of scabies are recognised and treated early and proper awareness is must to avoid recurrences. The profile of scabies patients helps in early recognition of scabies even at the peripheral centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To study the clinical features of herpes zoster (HZ) in childhood along with prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out in the Department of Dermatology at a Tertiary Care Centre of Gujarat, India, for 6 years. Children aged ≤12 years with a diagnosis of HZ seen in the Departments of Dermatology were enrolled in a predesigned pro forma. Diagnosis of HZ was made on clinical grounds, confirmed by tzanck smear as and when required. Sera of all cases were tested for HIV. Results: Total of 34 children aged ≤12 years were enrolled in the study. Nineteen (55.88%) were boys and 15 (44.12%) were girls. The mean age was 9.26 years. In 97.06% patient have localized dermatomal involvement. Most common symptom was burning pain seen in 30 (88.24%) patients. Previous history of chickenpox was present in 19 (55.88%) patients. Evidence of immunosuppression on history, clinical examination, and investigations was present only in one patient, who had HIV infection. Conclusion: Although there is increased incidence of HZ in childhood, atypical presentations are rare, multidermatomal involvement is not commonly seen. Majority of these children do not show immunosuppression. Hence, we conclude HZ in childhood occurs as a relatively mild and self‑limiting disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]