Chronic pruritus is a symptom of many diseases, with studies pending investigating its prevalence or incidence. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of the underlying diseases in a large number of patients. A total of 263 patients (110 men, 153 women; age range 8-95 years; mean 55.9 years) were included in the study. The following data were collected from patients presenting over a 3-year period: gender, age, history, skin lesions, laboratory, histological and radiological investigations. An underlying dermatosis was identified in 41.8% of patients, a systemic disease including unidentified neoplasms in 13.3% and a neurological disorder in 0.4%. No disease was found in 44.5% of patients. Among the patients in whom no disease was found, 55.6% of the, mainly elderly, patients had an accumulation of many co-factors, suggesting an own subgroup with multifactorial origin for the pruritus. The distribution and type of secondary scratch lesions gave no clue as to the underlying disease. In conclusion, patients with chronic pruritus present a inhomgeneous collective with different underlying diseases, including malignancy, necessitating thorough investigation.

No abstract

Genetic diagnosis of HPS and subsequent prenatal indomethacin therapy seems to have a beneficial effect on the natural course of HPS, especially progression of polyhydramnios; therefore, extreme prematurity could be prevented. Also, postnatally the early diagnosis allows the effective water and electrolyte substitution before severe volume depletion.

The introduction of the G-DRG system in Germany induced changes in in-patient care affecting hospital admission rates, LOS and cases treated in an in-patient setting. In-patient activities have not been reduced with the DRG introduction; however, long-term interdisciplinary research approaches are needed to explore the future impact on health care providing and quality of health care in depth.

The AR-DRG version 4.1 and the first German DRG version 1.0 appear to be less suitable to adequately cover inpatient dermatology. The G-DRG version 2004 has been greatly improved, probably due to proceeding calculation standards and DRG adjustments. The future of inpatient dermatology is subject to appropriate depiction of well-established treatment standards.

No abstract

In patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma PEG-IFN α-2b plus PUVA might become a promising treatment alternative as its higher rate of myelosuppression and liver toxicity is outweighed by its lower percentage of constitutional side-effects, and its significantly higher overall response. Due to the small number of participants at this retrospective study, a larger prospective study is essential to verify our results.

In conclusion, we failed to confirm the susceptible effect of the G13 allele, but provide the first data for a protective effect of allele 3 (IL10.G9) for familial psoriasis. Our results suggest that the IL10.G polymorphism is not a major locus, but acts as a minor locus.