Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring using telemedicine: proof-of-concept cohort and failure modes and effects analyses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated adoption of remote consulting in healthcare. Despite opportunities posed by telemedicine, most hypertension services in Europe have suspended ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). We examined the process and performance of remotely delivered ABPM using two methodologies: firstly, a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and secondly, a quantitative analysis comparing ABPM data from a subgroup of 65 participants of the Screening for Hypertension in the INpatient Environment (SHINE) diagnostic accuracy study.

Clinical experience and psychometric properties of the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI), 1995-2012.

The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) is a widely used questionnaire to measure the quality of life of children aged from 4 to 16 years. The purpose of this review is to summarize all published data regarding the clinical experience of the CDLQI and its psychometric properties as a single reference source for potential users. A literature search was carried out to identify all articles describing the use of the CDLQI from 1995 to November 2012.

An audit of the impact of a consultation with a paediatric dermatology team on quality of life in infants with atopic eczema and their families: further validation of the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index and Dermatitis Family Impact score.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) accounts for 10-20% of referrals to secondary care dermatology, often requiring multiple visits and occupying much valuable time and resources.

Objectives: We audited the usefulness (ease of use, reliability and sensitivity to change) of two simple and easy to use quality of life (QoL) measures, the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL) and Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI), for assessing the impact on QoL of AD in infants and their families in a routine clinical setting. We also examined the impact of an initial consultation with a dermatology team on AD severity and QoL impairment from the parent's perspective.

Which children should we patch test?

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in childhood was considered rare until recently. However, reports are increasing, which may reflect an increased incidence and/or more frequent patch testing of children. It is also likely that allergen exposure in children has changed with time.

A comparative study of impairment of quality of life in children with skin disease and children with other chronic childhood diseases.

Background: Chronic disease can have physical and psychological effects which affect social functioning. These effects can be better understood from the perspective of parent and child by the use of health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures. Various HRQL measures are now available, of which generic health measures have been the most widely used.

Quality of life and acne in Scottish adolescent schoolchildren: use of the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI).

Background: Acne vulgaris is known to adversely affect all aspects of quality of life. However, although acne is thought to occur in the majority of adolescents, there are few data currently available on the impact of acne in this age group.

Objectives: Measurement of the impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in teenage Scottish schoolchildren in a comparative study using two HRQoL questionnaires.

A pilot study on the use of wet wraps in infants with moderate atopic eczema.

Wet wrap therapy (WWT) is a well-established treatment for severe atopic dermatitis (AD). However little evidence exists to justify widespread use in the community for less severe eczema. We compared the efficacy of WWT with a standard regime of hydrocortisone, to control moderate AD in children.

Parental knowledge of topical therapies in the treatment of childhood atopic dermatitis.

Poor adherence with therapy is a major cause of treatment failure in atopic dermatitis. Reasons given are multifactorial, and include fear of real or imaginary side-effects, under-prescribing, failure to renew prescriptions on time, lack of time, and child refusal of therapy. Most important, however, is lack of knowledge about treatment, in particular the use of topical corticosteroid (TCS) therapy.

Genetic and functional analyses of FH mutations in multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis, hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cancer, and fumarate hydratase deficiency.

Germline mutations of the fumarate hydratase (FH, fumarase) gene are found in the recessive FH deficiency syndrome and in dominantly inherited susceptibility to multiple cutaneous and uterine leiomyomatosis (MCUL). We have previously reported a number of germline FH mutations from MCUL patients. In this study, we report additional FH mutations in MCUL and FH deficiency patients.

The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index: validation of the cartoon version.

Background: In 1995 the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) was developed as a tool to allow quality of life assessment of children with skin conditions. This initial questionnaire was in a written format.

Objectives: Using the same validated questions, a full-colour cartoon version has been developed.

The Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index.

Background: The impact on quality of life (QOL) caused by atopic dermatitis (AD) has been quantified in children and adults using established QOL measures. However, these are not suitable for use in infants under the age of 4 years, when AD usually develops.

Objectives: To validate a new parent-generated QOL questionnaire, the Infants' Dermatitis QOL Index (IDQOL), which measures the impact of AD on the infant, and to provide further validation of the Family Dermatitis Index (FDI), which measures the impact of a child's dermatitis on the family.

Behavioral and psychiatric manifestations in dementia patients in a community: caregiver burden and outcome.

The aim of the present study was to document behavioral disturbances in dementia patients in a sample not specifically referred to a clinic. Ninety patients with dementia in a community were studied in relation to the behavioral and psychiatric manifestations as perceived by their caregivers. They were categorized into two subgroups based on severity of the illness, namely mild and moderate-severe, for the purpose of comparison.

Localized unilateral hyperhidrosis secondary to an eccrine naevus.

We describe a patient with intermittent unilateral hyperhidrosis localized to the left hand only. Histology confirmed the presence of an eccrine naevus.

The family impact of childhood atopic dermatitis: the Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire.

Little information is available about the effect of childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) on family function. The aim of this study was to identify the areas of family life most affected and their perceived importance. Intensive qualitative interviews with 34 families were conducted and 11 basic problem areas were identified.

Predictive properties of referral communications for mental illness and dementia in a community.

As a measure of community awareness, this study examined the predictive properties of the diagnoses in referral communications for mental illness and dementia in elderly people. The patients were referred to the Aged Care Assessment Team from diversified sources over an 18-month period, the referral initiators being the general practitioner (GP), community nurse, family and others. There were 90 patients with dementia and 32 with psychiatric disorders.

Long-term efficacy and safety of cyclosporin in severe adult atopic dermatitis.

A prospective, open, multicentre study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of long-term treatment with cyclosporin in adults with severe atopic dermatitis. Subjects were treated for a maximum of 48 weeks. For the first 8 weeks, cyclosporin was administered at 2.

The Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI): initial validation and practical use.

Skin disease can cause severe disability and handicap in children. Measurement of the impact of skin disease on the quality of life is required to aid clinical decision-making, for clinical research, for audit of paediatric dermatology services, and for political reasons, to aid arguments for more resources for the care of children with skin disease. Adult measures are inappropriate, as the lives of children differ markedly from those of adults.

Dapsone-induced motor peripheral neuropathy in pemphigus foliaceus.

We describe a case of pemphigus foliaceus complicated by dapsone-induced motor peripheral neuropathy. This idiosyncratic dapsone side-effect, which is rare other than in leprosy patients, was noteworthy for both its rapid onset, occurring within a month of commencing treatment, and its profound and prolonged nature.

Sleep difficulties and their management in preschoolers with atopic eczema.

Sleep disruption is known to be common in preschool children. Those with atopic eczema (AE) would seem to be at particular risk because of itching. In this preliminary survey parents confirmed clinical impressions that sleep loss is a common feature when a child's atopic eczema is flaring.

Cowpox can mimic anthrax.

We report a patient suffering from cowpox infection, in whom the clinical features mimicked those of anthrax. The infection may have been acquired as a result of contact with a rodent.