Sina Shahabi; Ifa Etesami; Amirhossein Shahabi; Yasamin Kalantari; Robabeh Abedini; Maryam Daneshpazhooh
Abstract
Background: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many people were affected worldwide.This study evaluated patients’ characteristics and skin diseases at a Dermatology Emergency Unit (DEU) of a university skin hospital in Tehran, Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic. ...
Read More
Background: With the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many people were affected worldwide.This study evaluated patients’ characteristics and skin diseases at a Dermatology Emergency Unit (DEU) of a university skin hospital in Tehran, Iran, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also compared the results with those of a previous study performed at the same DEU in 2017.Methods: The data of all patients presented to the DEU during the first four months of the pandemic in Iran (February to June 2020) were studied, and variables such as age, sex, complaints, and finaldiagnosis were collected.Results: A total of 3,745 patients (50.3% male) were studied. Infections (32.4%), dermatitis (20.5%), and urticaria (16.8%) were the most prevalent diagnoses in both genders. Infections were significantly more frequent in males (P < 0.001), while urticaria was more common in females (P < 0.001). The highest number of visits occurred between 12:00–18:00 (34.0%) and most patients were between 18–44 years old (48.8%).Conclusion: With the growing number of COVID-19 cases, the DEU of our skin hospital was involved as part of the medical community in screening COVID-19 patients. Compared to the previous study, the general framework of common causes of DEU visits was very similar to that of the non-pandemic era, although a significant increase in the proportion of dermatitis cases was observed. Likewise, the proportion of non-skin complaints was significantly higher, reflecting the public concern about the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hossein Mortazavi; Arileza Mortazavi; Anahita Rostami; Mohammadraza Javadi; Robabeh Abedini; Amir Teimourpour; Kheirolah Gholami; Ali Khamesipour
Abstract
Background: Little data on severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCADRs) is available, especially in Iran. Therefore, there is a need for more studies in this field. We aimed to evaluate the clinical pictures and laboratory data of patients with SCADR in a tertiary dermatology center in Tehran, Iran.Methods: ...
Read More
Background: Little data on severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions (SCADRs) is available, especially in Iran. Therefore, there is a need for more studies in this field. We aimed to evaluate the clinical pictures and laboratory data of patients with SCADR in a tertiary dermatology center in Tehran, Iran.Methods: In this retrospective study, patients with a clinical diagnosis of SCADR based on the World Health Organisation’s definition and histopathologic findings were included. Causality and preventability measures were assessed based on previous criteria, including the Naranjo score and the Schomock and Thronton scale.Results: Thirty-nine patients with a mean age of 43 ± 17 years participated in the study. SCADRs were more common in females than in males (2.9/1). SCADRs included Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Thirty-one patients presented a Naranjo score of 5-8, indicating probable drug reactions. The remaining eight patients (with scores of 1-4) were determined as having possible drug eruptions. Regarding the category of culprit drugs, anticonvulsants (49%), antimalarials (15%), antibiotics (13%), and antihypertensives (10%) were themost frequent causes of SCADR, with lamotrigine being the single most common agent.Conclusion: The most frequent clinical presentation of SCADR was SJS/TEN, followed by AGEP and DRESS. The most frequent cause of SCADR was anticonvulsant drugs.
Robabe Abedini; Saeed Shakiba; Narges Ghandi; Farnaz Yazdaniamjad; Nazgol-Sadat Haddadi; Maryam Nasimi
Abstract
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease involving the inflammation of hair follicles. In many autoimmune diseases, inadequate levels of vitamin D have been reported. We aimed to determine the association between vitamin D levels and AA.
Methods: In this case-control study, 50 AA patients ...
Read More
Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease involving the inflammation of hair follicles. In many autoimmune diseases, inadequate levels of vitamin D have been reported. We aimed to determine the association between vitamin D levels and AA.
Methods: In this case-control study, 50 AA patients and 50 controls were assessed regarding serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)-D3]. The levels of 25-(OH)-D3 were classified as deficient ( < 20 ng/ml), insufficient (20 to 30 ng/ml), and sufficient ( > 30 ng/dl). The severity of the disease was scored according to the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT).
Results: The serum level of 25-(OH)-D3 was significantly lower in AA cases compared with the control group. Patients with the totalis or universalis pattern of hair loss had lower levels of 25-(OH)-D3 relative to patients with the patchy or ophiasis type of AA. Moreover, severe cases showed significantly lower levels of vitamin D relative to mild and moderate cases. We found a significant inverse association between 25-(OH)-D3 level and age. We found no association between serum levels of 25-(OH)-D3 and gender, disease duration, disease recurrence, nail involvement, or positive family history of AA.
Conclusion: AA patients had lower serum levels of vitamin D, though this did not contribute to the severity or duration of disease or pattern of hair loss. More studies are required to evaluate the role of vitamin D supplementation in the pathophysiology of AA.