Publications by authors named "Mesinkovska N"
Premature hair graying (PHG) is the early loss of natural hair color, influenced by genetic, biological, and environmental factors. This review discusses the significant psychological impacts of PHG and explores its underlying mechanisms, related health conditions, and available treatments. The review examines the roles of genetics, oxidative stress, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and diet in premature graying.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe emerging role of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of cutaneous infections.
Ital J Dermatol Venerol
November 2024
Introduction: Cutaneous infections pose ongoing challenges to standard treatments due to resistance and limited efficacy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) emerges as a promising supplement or an alternative to address complicated cases. In this review, we comprehensively review PDT's safety and efficacy in treating cutaneous infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Small studies suggest that low-dose oral minoxidil (LDOM) might be effective and safe for hair loss, but more extensive research and guidelines are needed.* -
- An expert consensus statement was developed involving 43 dermatologists to standardize LDOM prescribing practices, covering various aspects like indications, dosing, and monitoring.* -
- The consensus reached includes 76 relevant points, but topics related to pediatric use and titration protocols need further investigation, highlighting gaps in research for younger patients.*
Background: Tyrosinase is the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis and thus an ideal inhibitory target for treating hyperpigmentation. There are many commercially available tyrosinase inhibitors with limited clinical efficacy. A recent screen of 50,000 compounds found isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinol (ITR) to be the most potent inhibitor of human tyrosinase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The ALLEGRO study assessed the effectiveness and safety of ritlecitinib, a treatment for alopecia areata (AA), focusing on patient-reported hair loss outcomes.
- Patients aged 12 and older with significant scalp hair loss participated in a 48-week trial comparing different dosages of ritlecitinib to a placebo.
- Results showed that 5-36% of ritlecitinib patients reported improved hair loss after 24 weeks, which correlated with positive changes in emotional symptoms and activity limitations, indicating the treatment's beneficial effects.
Article Synopsis
- A post-hoc analysis of the ALLEGRO study assessed the effects of ritlecitinib, an oral JAK inhibitor, in treating patients aged 12 and older with alopecia totalis (AT) and alopecia universalis (AU) over 48 weeks.
- Out of 718 patients, those treated with ritlecitinib showed significantly higher hair regrowth response rates compared to the placebo group, improving from week 24 to week 48.
- Ritlecitinib was well tolerated, demonstrating clinical efficacy and an acceptable safety profile for patients with both AT and AU.
Objective: Scalp inflammation and alopecia are distressing conditions for which patients regularly present to dermatology. Although some diagnoses can be made clinically, others require biopsy, which carries the risk of pain, infection, bleeding, and scarring. This review examines the existing literature regarding noninvasive in vivo imaging techniques and their evidence and utility in evaluating scalp pathology, with a focus on the diagnostics of hair conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Minoxidil is commonly used off-label for treating hair loss but may increase the risk of pericardial effusions, even at low doses.
- A study compared 51 patients on low-dose oral minoxidil with 49 control patients for the presence of these effusions, using ultrasound to evaluate results.
- The findings revealed no significant difference in the prevalence of small pericardial effusions between the two groups, suggesting LDOM is not linked to increased risk in this small cohort of alopecia patients.
Clinical Significance of Mottling Rashes in Diving Decompression Sickness.
Aerosp Med Hum Perform
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when dissolved nitrogen forms bubbles in the body due to rapid ascent, affecting divers and aviators, with cutaneous DCS (also known as cutis marmorata) appearing as a distinct skin rash.
- A systematic review of 31 studies involving 128 patients revealed that 84% had evidence of a right-to-left shunt (RLS) and cutaneous DCS, with some patients successfully undergoing closure of the RLS to prevent recurrence.
- The coexistence of CM and neurological symptoms was noted in over half of the evaluated patients, supporting the theory that CM may indicate a risk for more serious complications and urging a reevaluation of its clinical importance.
Importance: Baricitinib has demonstrated efficacy for treating severe alopecia areata in adults. There is currently limited information about the need for continuous therapy after achieving scalp hair regrowth.
Objective: To report results from the randomized withdrawal period of the BRAVE-AA1 trial.
Introduction: In an effort to define the characteristics of populations affected by melasma, we utilized a large global health research network database from 108 health care organizations (TriNetx) to quantify the associations between race, ethnicity, and comorbidities.
Methods: We identified the cohort of all patients with melasma from the TriNetx database, and subsequently generated a control cohort. ICD-10 codes were used to identify the prevalence of various comorbidities associated with melasma.
Article Synopsis
- Alopecia areata (AA) is a hair loss disorder that significantly affects quality of life, and studies have shown that the JAK inhibitor deuruxolitinib can promote hair regrowth in affected individuals.
- A Phase 3 trial tested deuruxolitinib in adults aged 18-65 with severe hair loss, finding that a significant percentage of patients experienced notable improvements in hair regrowth compared to a placebo.
- Although the treatment was generally well-tolerated with mostly mild side effects, further research is needed to assess long-term safety and the effects of stopping the treatment.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to assess patient satisfaction with hair growth in people with alopecia areata (AA) receiving ritlecitinib or a placebo, focusing on how well patients felt their treatment was working compared to what clinicians observed.
- - In the ALLEGRO-2b/3 trial, 718 AA patients with significant scalp hair loss were given either ritlecitinib or a placebo for 24 weeks, after which some switched treatments; satisfaction was measured through a specific survey evaluating different aspects of hair growth.
- - Results showed that at week 24, satisfaction with hair growth was significantly higher in ritlecitinib groups (up to 67.5%) compared to placebo (22.6%),
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a common cultural practice, which involves the partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia. With increasing immigration from regions where the practice is endemic, there has been a growing prevalence of FGM in the United States and other developed nations. However, most medical professionals lack the baseline knowledge regarding FGM and its associated health complications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Current measures of alopecia areata (AA) severity, such as the Severity of Alopecia Tool score, do not adequately capture overall disease impact.
Objective: To explore factors associated with AA severity beyond scalp hair loss, and to support the development of the Alopecia Areata Severity and Morbidity Index (ASAMI).
Evidence Review: A total of 74 hair and scalp disorder specialists from multiple continents were invited to participate in an eDelphi project consisting of 3 survey rounds.
Article Synopsis
- * A safety analysis of four studies showed that adverse events (AEs) occurred in about 70-75% of patients on ritlecitinib compared to 69.5% in the placebo group, with some patients experiencing serious AEs.
- * Overall, ritlecitinib is deemed well tolerated and presents an acceptable safety profile over a 24-month period for adolescents and adults with AA.
Background: The study aimed to compare barriers perceived by medical students and resident physicians identifying as of underrepresented groups in medicine (UIM) and/or as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) to individuals not identifying with these groups, especially for trainees with an interest in dermatology.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey of medical students and resident physicians based in the United States from February 2021 to July 2021, with subgroup analysis of trainees with interest in dermatology.
Findings: Among trainees interested in dermatology, the most notable barriers for the UIM group were 1) lack of home program in specialty/fellowship of interest (4.