The incidence of depression and anxiety disorders in spontaneous chronic urticaria patients.

: A frequent condition known as chronic urticaria (CU) is characterized by the appearance of wheals, angioedema, or both. CU lowers the quality of life and may also result in psychological discomfort. The literature survey revealed few studies dealing with depression and anxiety in these patients.

Efficacy and Safety Comparison of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor-Related Decapeptide 0.1% Solution (bFGFrP) Plus Oral PUVA Combination Therapy with Oral PUVA Monotherapy in the Treatment of Vitiligo.

Background: Phototherapy in its different forms, is mainstay of vitiligo management. Combining treatment modalities like topical calcipotriol (for quicker, more intense repigmentation), Low dose azathioprine with PUVA have proven to be beneficial in management of vitiligo due to different mechanisms of repigmentation and their synergistic effects. Topical bFGF-related decapeptide (bFGFrP) application followed by sun exposure/ UVA phototherapy yields effective repigmentation.

A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Factors Affecting the Dermatology Life Quality Index in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Multiple factors affect the disease's course and severity. HS is a debilitating disease and often recalcitrant to treatment, resulting in a deterioration of quality of life; hence, there is a need to evaluate the factors affecting the quality of life in patients with HS.

Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital: A Prospective, Observational Study.

Objective: To describe clinical patterns, identify associated drugs, and perform causality assessment of cutaneous adverse drug reactions.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, observational study, patients with signs of cutaneous drug reaction from the department of dermatology of a tertiary teaching hospital were included. Patients with viral exanthemas were excluded.

A multicentric clinical and epidemiological study of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis in India.

Background: There has been an alarming increase in the prevalence of chronic, recurrent and steroid modified dermatophytosis of the glabrous skin in the recent years in India. There is paucity of literature on the magnitude of this major public health problem.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of dermatophytosis and clinico-epidemiological features of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis (CRD) across India and to evaluate the associated risk factors.

Anogenital lichen sclerosus.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) was first described by Hallopeau in 1887. It is a chronic inflammatory condition most commonly involving the anogenital region with a relapsing course and a potential for destruction, functional impairment, atrophy, and malignant changes. LS affects both sexes with a female preponderance of 5:1.

A Study on the Association of Psoriasis with Metabolic Disorders.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory and hyper-proliferative skin disorder which is chronically relapsing with high morbidity and impaired quality of life, characterized by erythematous scaly patches affecting skin, joints and nails. It is a disorder of immune system involving genetic, immunologic and environtmental factors. Metabolic syndrome (also known as metabolic syndrome X) is a grouping of interrelated medical traits that, when present, indicate an increased risk of developing noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and/or cardiovascular disease.

Histopathological comparison of lesional and perilesional skin in melasma: A cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Melasma is a common acquired hyperpigmentary disorder of the sun exposed skin, especially the face. The pathogenesis is unclear but interplay between genetic factors, hormones and ultraviolet radiation is important. We have evaluated the histological characteristics of melasma and compared the findings with adjacent normal skin.

Knowledge and Attitude of General Population toward Effects of Sun Exposure and Use of Sunscreens.

Background: Sun exposure causes extensive intrinsic as well as extrinsic changes in the skin. Pathogenic effects of sun exposure such as tanning, melasma, skin cancer, and aggravation of various photodermatoses such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may be prevented by the use of sunscreens. We conducted the present study to assess the knowledge and attitudes regarding sun exposure and use of sunscreens.

Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Inside and Out.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, disabling, suppurative disease characterized by deep tender subcutaneous nodules; complicated by fibrosis and extensive sinuses affecting primarily the apocrine gland bearing areas. It affects all races in early 20s with greater prevalence seen in women (3 to 5:1). The estimated disease prevalence is 1 - 4 %.

Subcutaneous Autologous Serum Therapy in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria.

Background: There is a felt need for trying newer therapeutic modalities in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria, especially in the subset of patients classified as non-responders to antihistamines. Autologous serum therapy is an upcoming modality of treatment, and we decided to study its efficacy by subcutaneous route.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of subcutaneous autologous serum therapy (AST) in CSU.

Updosing of Nonsedating Anti-histamines in Recalcitrant Chronic Urticaria.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a persistent, debiliating condition that causes severe impairment on the quality of life (QoL) of patient by interrupting work productivity. Current guidelines recommend second-generation (nonsedating) anti-histamines for the treatment for all forms of urticaria. In patients who do not respond adequately to conventional doses of anti-histamines, it is recommended to increase the dose to up to four times to obtain control.

Topical corticosteroids in dermatology.

Since their introduction, topical corticosteroids have become indispensable in the treatment of various dermatoses. Hydrocortisone was the first compound. Modifications in the basic structure generated in vivo activity and thus different topically active compounds were discovered.

Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Resident Doctors Toward Antihistamines.

Background: Allergic rhinitis and urticaria are chronic persistent allergic conditions that need proper management as they significantly reduce quality of life measures. Of the many pharmacological options of allergic rhinitis and urticaria, second-generation antihistamines are the mainstay of therapy.

Aims: This review focuses on the knowledge of medical residents toward prescribing antihistamines, according to the new ARIA and GA2LEN guidelines for allergic rhinitis and urticaria, attempting to find the cause of less prescription of newer second-generation antihistamines by finding out the knowledge and attitude of the doctors prescribing them to the patients.

Exogenous Ochronosis.

Exogenous ochronosis (EO) is a cutaneous disorder characterized by blue-black pigmentation resulting as a complication of long-term application of skin-lightening creams containing hydroquinone but may also occur due to topical contact with phenol or resorcinol in dark-skinned individuals. It can also occur following the use of systemic antimalarials such as quinine. EO is clinically and histologically similar to its endogenous counterpart viz.

Omalizumab-A Review.

Omalizumab is a recombinant, humanized, monoclonal antibody against human immunoglobulin E (IgE). The US FDA has approved this molecule for chronic urticaria.

Treatment of Refractory Chronic Urticaria.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria is a distressing disease encountered frequently in clinical practice. The current mainstay of therapy is the use of second-generation, non-sedating antihistamines. However, in patients who do not respond satisfactorily to these agents, a variety of other drugs are used.

Assessment of the changes in the stress-related salivary cortisol levels to the various dental procedures in children.

Background: Fear and pain are the factors producing stress and there is evidence that dental fear acquired in childhood may persist to influence adult behavior. Dental treatment is often considered as anxiety producing and stressful.

Aim: To assess the levels of stress displayed by the healthy children undergoing routine dental procedures like oral examination, restoration, and extraction by analyzing salivary levels of cortisol before, during, and after the procedures.