The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor-Related Skin Toxicity Index (EGFRISTI): a new tool for grading and managing skin adverse reactions to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.

Background: Skin toxicity is frequent and debilitating in oncologic patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs). Grading and management of skin adverse events (AEs) are poorly standardized.

Materials And Methods: We developed a new score (EGFRISTI: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor-Related Skin Toxicity Index) which is able to quantify and monitor all EGFRI-related dermatologic AEs over time.

Systemic inflammation and imbalance between endothelial injury and repair in patients with psoriasis are associated with preclinical atherosclerosis.

Background: Systemic inflammation and imbalance between endothelial injury and repair, the latter referred to as vascular incompetence, are associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. Psoriasis, an inflammatory disease of the skin, has been associated with atherosclerosis. We investigated whether, in psoriasis, inflammation and vascular incompetence are associated with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) irrespective of metabolic syndrome and other established cardiovascular risk factors.

Metabolic syndrome prevalence in psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in the Italian population.

Background: The pathogenesis of psoriasis is complex, with a significant role suggested for pro-inflammatory mediators. There is strong evidence of an association between psoriasis and the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, which impose a substantial disease burden.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and to examine the implications of disease severity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease in a large cohort of Italian psoriatic patients representative of the whole population.

Clinical and epidemiological features of textile contact dermatitis: an Italian multicentre study.

Background: The prevalence of occupational and non-occupational textile dermatitis seems to be increasing, probably because of changed textile manufacturing techniques.

Objective: Evaluation of the clinical features and epidemiology of textile contact dermatitis (TCD) in Italy.

Methods: Demographic data, clinical history aspects, atopy and positive patch test reactions to occupational and non-occupational allergens were investigated in 277 textile dermatitis patients.

Drug- and virus- or bacteria-induced exanthems: the role of immunohistochemical staining for cytokines in differential diagnosis.

Background: The differential clinical diagnosis between drug-induced exanthema (DIE) and virus- or bacteria-induced exanthema (VBIE) is frequently not easy because the serologic analysis for virus and bacteria and skin tests are not always exhaustive. In these cases, only the oral challenge test is nullifying.

Objectives: This study wants to identify 1 or more structural changes and/or cytokine markers that might be helpful in discriminating the etiology and the possible correlation with the clinical features, type of the involved drug, blood and skin eosinophilia, and time of skin biopsy.

The Italian Euromelanoma Day: evaluation of results and implications for future prevention campaigns.

Background: Melanoma incidence/mortality is increasing worldwide. "Euromelanoma Day" is a pan-European campaign for skin cancer prevention. Results of the 2010 Euromelanoma Day in Italy are reported herein.

Atopic dermatitis in adults.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing eczematous disease, more common in infants and children than in adults and very rare after midlife. The diagnosis of AD is not always easy in adults, especially when the extension of lesions is limited and their distribution atypical. The aim of this study was to investigate epidemiologic and clinical features of adult AD.

Treating psoriasis with etanercept in italian clinical practice: prescribing practices and duration of remission following discontinuation.

Background: conventional antipsoriatic therapies are often administered until remission, with treatment resumed in the case of relapse, in order to reduce the likelihood of cumulative, dose-dependent toxicities. Biological agents have been safely used in continuous therapy.

Objective: to assess the use of etanercept for psoriasis in clinical practice in Italy.

Quality of life and contact dermatitis: a disease-specific questionnaire.

Background: Contact dermatitis (CD) is a chronic disease with a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). There have been relatively few reports in the literature on specific QoL outcomes for patients suffering from CD.

Objectives: To develop a new instrument specifically designed to measure QoL in CD and to investigate which disease features could strongly influence QoL.

Efficacy, safety and quality of life of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Dovobet) versus calcipotriol (Daivonex) in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: a randomized, multicentre, clinical trial.

Objective: A clinical trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy, speed of response, side effects and quality of life of patients treated with calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Dovobet) for 4 weeks followed by maintenance with calcipotriol for 8 weeks (group A) versus calcipotriol (Daivonex) alone for 12 weeks (group B) for the treatment of psoriasis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 150 patients were enrolled and randomized to groups A and B. PASI and Skindex-29 were considered the outcome measures.

Eyelid dermatitis: an evaluation of 447 patients.

Background: Eyelids can be affected by various types of dermatitis that are often difficult to diagnose.

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish some guidelines for a correct diagnosis.

Methods: A total of 447 patients treated at 12 research units for eczema or other inflammatory dermatitis located on the eyelids were invited to complete a questionnaire.