Topical tacrolimus 0.1% improves symptoms of hand dermatitis in patients treated with a prednisone taper.

Background: Hand dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder for which systemic immunosuppressive therapy is often needed. Topical treatments could complement the use of systemic corticosteroids.

Objective: To evaluate symptoms of hand dermatitis in subjects treated with a prednisone taper combined with topical tacrolimus 0.

Comparison of different compliance behaviors in a clinical trial.

Demographics, regimen complexity, patient attitude, disease severity, and psychology determine a patient's adherence (ie, compliance) behavior. In a study of 30 patients with moderate to severe hand dermatitis, we found 2 extremes of adherence behavior: overusage and underusage. We compared these 2 patients to one patient who engaged in near-ideal usage of medication.

Oral lichen planus: a case series with emphasis on therapy.

Background: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause local irritation and discomfort with attendant poor dentition and nutrition. Although a range of therapeutic options is available, data on the long-term efficacy of treatments for this chronic disease are limited. To identify agents that might be effective in OLP treatment over a longer term, and to explore their sequential use in treatment-refractory patients, we studied patients who received multiple OLP therapies and who were followed up for an average of more than 2 years.

Complex aphthosis: a large case series with evaluation algorithm and therapeutic ladder from topicals to thalidomide.

Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a common problem with 20% to 50% of the population having experienced simple aphthous lesions (ie, canker sores). Complex aphthosis is the diagnosis given to patients with almost constant >3 oral aphthae or recurrent oral and genital aphthae in the absence of Behcet's disease.

Methods: Eighty-one patients were referred to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology from 1995 to 2001 with the diagnosis of presumptive Behcet's disease.

Complex aphthosis and Behçet's disease.

Complex aphthosis is a disorder in which patients develop recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulcers or almost constant, multiple oral aphthae, without manifestations of systemic disease. Behçet's disease is a multisystem disease characterized clinically by oral and genital aphthae, arthritis, cutaneous lesions, and ocular, gastrointestinal, and neurologic manifestations. This article reviews both disorders, including their clinical and histologic presentations, factors in pathogenesis, and includes an overview of therapeutic modalities.