Incidence of skin malignancies in patients with vitiligo or psoriasis who received narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (308 nm/311 nm): A retrospective review of 3730 patients.

Background: Previous studies regarding the risk of skin malignancy with NBUVB have been performed in Caucasian patients, but few studies have been conducted in Asians.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the risk of skin cancer in Asian patients with psoriasis and vitiligo receiving NBUVB phototherapy.

Methods: We performed a 9-year retrospective study including all patients with psoriasis and vitiligo receiving NBUVB (either 311 nm wavelength through cabin phototherapy or 308 nm through excimer lamp phototherapy) at the National Skin Centre.

Colorimetric microneedle patches for multiplexed transdermal detection of metabolites.

Skin Interstitial Fluid (ISF) is an alternative source for biomarkers. Herein, a highly swellable microneedle patch (MNP) to rapidly extract ISF painlessly and bloodlessly is presented. The MNP is made of crosslinked methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) and dissolvable hyaluronic acid (HA) with the optimal balance of mechanical strength (0.

The Polyamine Putrescine Promotes Human Epidermal Melanogenesis.

Hyperpigmentary conditions can arise when melanogenesis in the epidermis is misregulated. Understanding the pathways underlying melanogenesis is essential for the development of effective treatments. Here, we report that a group of metabolites called polyamines are important in the control of melanogenesis in human skin.

Microneedle-Assisted Topical Delivery of Photodynamically Active Mesoporous Formulation for Combination Therapy of Deep-Seated Melanoma.

Topical treatment using photodynamic therapy (PDT) for many types of skin cancers has largely been limited by the inability of existing photosensitizers to penetrate into the deep skin tissue. To overcome these problems, we developed a mesoporous nanovehicle with dual loading of photosensitizers and clinically relevant drugs for combination therapy, while utilizing microneedle technology to facilitate their penetration into deep skin tissue. Sub-50 nm photodynamically active mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles were synthesized with photosensitizers covalently bonded to the silica matrix, which dramatically increased the quantum yield and photostability of these photosensitizers.

Treatment outcomes of vitiligo in Asian children.

This retrospective study aimed to identify factors that predict treatment response in a cohort of Asian children with vitiligo. Shorter duration of vitiligo was associated with better repigmentation. Patients with focal vitiligo of short duration have a good chance of achieving repigmentation with topical agents alone.

Interstitial Granulomatous Variant of Scleromyxedema-A Diagnostic Pitfall.

Scleromyxedema is a rare disorder where patients may develop systemic manifestations such as monoclonal gammopathy, inflammatory polyarthritis, and esophageal and neurological dysfunction. Histologically, there may be atypical variants of scleromyxedema showing features resembling interstitial granuloma annulare. We report an unusual case of scleromyxedema with interstitial granulomatous pattern and highlight potential diagnostic pitfalls when encountered with such a variant.

Oral tranexamic acid (TA) in the treatment of melasma: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder among Asians and treatment is challenging. Oral tranexamic acid (TA) has emerged as a potential treatment for refractory melasma. Large-scale studies on its use, outcomes, and safety are limited.

Reflectance confocal microscopy is a useful non-invasive tool in the in vivo diagnosis of pigmented basal cell carcinoma in Asians.

Background: The clinical differentiation between pigmented basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and other benign pigmented skin lesions can be challenging even with an additional dermoscopic evaluation, especially if the lesion is small. In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is an emerging, non-invasive imaging tool that allows near-microscopic evaluation of skin lesions. The features of RCM for pigmented BCC and seborrhoeic keratosis have previously been described.

Investigating factors associated with quality of life of vitiligo patients in Singapore.

Skin disease is often visible to others. People who have dermatological condition may also suffer from its psychological consequences. The purpose of this study is to explore the quality of life of patients with vitiligo and to identify factors associated with their quality of life.

Investigating factors associated with depression of vitiligo patients in Singapore.

Aims: To explore the depression level of a group of vitiligo patients in Singapore and to identify factors associated with depression.

Background: Unlike most internal illness, skin disease is often immediately visible to others and therefore people suffers from dermatological conditions may suffer psychological consequences.

Design: A descriptive survey was conducted during the period October 2009-August 2010 in Singapore; 145 vitiligo patients aged 21+  completed a structured questionnaire.