<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Syphilis is difficult to diagnose challenging the clinicians. Combined use of both non treponemal and treponemal serological tests will give correct diagnosis of syphilis.</span>The aim of the study was <span lang="EN-IN">to evaluate the role of VDRL and TPHA in the serodiagnosis of syphilis.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Open label retrospective study done in the department of dermatology of a tertiary care centre after getting IEC approval. One hundred and seventy patients’ serological reports done for syphilis during the month January 2017 to May 2017 were taken for the study and were analysed retrospectively after categorizing into three groups. Frequency and percentage of patients who were reactive to VDRL, weakly reactive to VDRL, positive for prozone phenomenon and reactive to TPHA were noted in each group and analysed statistically</span>.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">In our study two cases showed biological false positive results in group 1 and three cases in group 3 were biological false reactors. In our study five patients in group 1 and three patients in group 3 were non-reactive to VDRL but were reactive to TPHA due to the presence of Ig G antibodies and all these patients gave a past history of treatment of syphilis. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Our study was successful in evaluating the role of TPHA and VDRL in the sero-diagnosis of syphilis. The VDRL and TPHA being simple and economical tests can be combined in the assessment of syphilis and ensures that no cases are missed.</span></p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Obesity is major health hazard in the western world, however studies on skin manifestations in obese patients are limited. Most common co-morbid conditions associated with obesity are hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, dyslipidaemia, degenerative joint diseases etc. Skin conditions such as acrochordons, acanthosis Nigricans can be easily made out on inspection and seen most commonly with obesity. It is important for the clinicians to routinely screen patients for obesity and co-morbid conditions.</span>The aims were t<span lang="EN-IN">o study the prevalence of various skin disorders in obese patients and the frequency of skin changes in various obesity classes and to study the presence of metabolic syndrome and its association with leptin and insulin levels in those patients with acanthosis Nigricans and skin tags.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Cross-sectional descriptive study done on 100 patients with a BMI &gt;30 and waist circumference &gt;90 cm (in males) and &gt;80 cm (in females).</span><strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Acanthosis Nigricans was the most prevalent skin condition (65%) and the association statistically was significant (p=0.012). Association of Skin tags (second commonest, in 42%) with p=0.012. Acanthosis Nigricans and skin tags among the various skin conditions studied like psoriasis, striae-distensae, fissure-feet, pyoderma, intertrigo, varicose veins, seborrheic dermatitis, Hand-feet eczema, osteoarthritis, candiasis was significantly associated with obesity. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Acanthosis Nigricans and skin tags among the various skin conditions studied had a strong correlation with obesity and metabolic syndrome which may be a marker for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. It was also noted that in patients with Acanthosis Nigricans and skin tags, who had metabolic syndrome, there was an elevation of the plasma leptin levels and fasting plasma insulin levels but not significant with a p=0.25.</span></p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Dermatologists are using antineoplastic agent methotrexate for more than six decades for various skin diseases. Methotrexate is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor and has cytotoxic<strong>,</strong> anti-inflammatory and steroid sparing effect. However, long term use of methotrexate raises a concern about its safety. Careful monitoring of patients on methotrexate therapy can either minimize or prevent the adverse effects.</span><span lang="EN-IN">The aim of the study was to evaluate the adverse drug reactions caused by methotrexate therapy in the treatment of dermotological diseases.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Observational clinical study done in 56 patients with skin diseases, who were on methotrexate therapy. LFT, RFT, blood counts done at baseline and every 2 weeks till the end of six months. Adverse reactions were monitored and assessed using WHO-UMC scale</span>.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Among sixteen Psoriasis patients on methotrexate (max 15 mg/wk) therapy, 62.5% experienced adverse effects and the most common ADR being GI upset in 6 patients. Other common adverse effects observed were elevated liver enzymes, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, candidiasis and elevated serum creatinine. None of the patients in our study had pulmonary toxicity, life threatening adverse effects requiring hospitalisation or secondary lymphoma. Adverse effects caused by methotrexate were dose dependent. So low dose weekly methotrexate regimen with folate supplementation in the form of folic acid or folinic acid can minimize the adverse effects. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Our study was successful in identifying the adverse effects caused by methotrexate when used for various skin diseases in the department of dermatology.</span></p>