Search

Abstract: Background: Psychological aspect and quality of life should be considered in treating patients with psoriasis. Objective: We sought to ascertain which clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions are associated with impairment of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with psoriasis. Methods: The EPI‐PSODE study was a nationwide, multicenter, cross‐sectional study conducted in Korea that included 1260 adult patients with psoriasis. In addition to clinical characteristics including presence of exposed lesions, data were collected using the Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Screening and Evaluation (PASE), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), MOS 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire Psoriasis (WPAI: PSO) and Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ). Results: Patients with a DLQI score > 5 (n = 990) were younger, had an earlier onset of psoriasis, scored higher on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), had higher body surface area (BSA) and had higher PASE scores than patients with DLQI ≤ 5 (n = 266). The group of patients with exposed lesions (n = 871) were younger and male predominance, earlier onset of psoriasis, longer disease duration, higher PASI/BSA score and a higher proportion with drinking and smoking history each than the group of patients without exposed lesions (n = 389). Presence of exposed lesions negatively influenced DLQI, 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) (mental component), presenteeism, total work productivity impairment and total activity impairment in the WPAI: PSO. In multiple regression model, PASI score was the only variable which was significantly associated with all HRQoL measures. Presence of exposed lesions was a significant factor affecting DLQI and SF‐36 (mental). Conclusion: The presence of exposed lesions has a negative impact on quality of life, mental health and work productivity. Therefore, effective treatments are particularly needed for psoriasis patients with exposed lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Increasing the number of enlarged pores causes cosmetic problems. The difference in the number of enlarged pores according to facial site, age, and sex is unclear. Objective: To analyze the distribution of the number of enlarged pores according to facial site, age, and sex. Methods and materials: We analyzed the number of the enlarged pores and the percentage of wrinkles in the nose, forehead, and cheek from 434 polarized images. The measurement results were analyzed according to site, age, and sex. Relationship between enlarged pore counts and wrinkle severity was also analyzed. The study was conducted by using DermaVision,™ which can take cross‐polarization, parallel polarization, and ultraviolet light images. Results: The enlarged pores of the nose and forehead were more prominent than in the cheeks. Pore counts were increased with age, and the increment was significant between the 30's and 40's. There was no significant difference by gender. Enlarged pore counts were related to wrinkle severity. Conclusions: The number of enlarged pores differs depending on body site and increased with age. The enlarged pore counts correlate with wrinkle severity and the correlation varies depending on the body site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Facial psoriasis gives rise to considerable concern because of associated cosmetic problems and psychosocial distress. It requires a treatment approach other than topical corticosteroids, which bear a risk of cutaneous adverse reactions. Recently, topical tacalcitol has been shown to be effective in psoriasis. Objectives The aim of this open-label single-centre study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of high-concentration (20 μg g−1) tacalcitol ointment (Bonalfa-high®, Teijin Pharma, Tokyo, Japan) in patients with facial psoriasis and to evaluate clinical response according to the distribution of facial psoriatic lesions. Patients and methods Thirty-seven patients were enrolled to this clinical trial. Tacalcitol 20 μg g−1 ointment was applied once daily to psoriatic lesions of the face over an 8-week period. Patients were also categorized into three subtypes according to facial lesion distribution. Efficacy was evaluated by the facial Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (facial PASI) and the Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) score at weeks 2, 4 and 8. The Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was also determined at the end of the study. Results Thirty-three patients completed the clinical trial. Mean facial PASI of 33 patients at baseline was 9·58 and after 8 weeks of treatment the mean facial PASI decreased significantly to 3·88. By using PGA, patients showed the following responses to treatment: clearance ( n = 1); excellent (6); good (16); fair (4); slight (5); no change (1). The response rate among the three facial psoriasis types showed no difference. Using the SGA, 27 (82%) of the patients presented excellent (15%) or good (67%) effect with tacalcitol 20 μg g−1 ointment. No serious adverse reactions were observed. Conclusions This is the first clinical study reporting a relevant therapeutic effect and favourable safety profile of tacalcitol 20 μg g−1 ointment in facial psoriasis. These results suggest that tacalcitol 20 μg g−1 ointment can be used as the first-line treatment in patients with facial psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]