Background Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non‐cicatricial hair loss. The cause of the disease is still unknown. It can appear at any age and occurs in 0.2% of the general population. Red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (NLR), and the ratio of platelets to lymphocytes (PLR) have all been reported as inflammatory markers in recent studies. However, these parameters have not been investigated in AA patients. Aim We investigated the haematological and inflammatory parameters of AA and considered their association with disease severity. Patients/Methods One hundred and five patients with AA and 108 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. RDW, MPV, PCT, NLR, PLR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) were studied retrospectively. Disease severity was evaluated by using the Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Results There were no statistically significant differences between RDW, MPV, PCT, NLR, and PLR levels in AA patients and in healthy controls. Only the CRP values were significantly higher in the AA group. Conclusion Complete blood count (CBC) parameters are low‐cost tests that can be used to define inflammation levels in inflammatory diseases. Our study shows that CRP can be used as a marker in diagnosing AA.
We conclude that there was no association between ABO blood group and AA, but the observed distribution of Rhesus blood group differed slightly but significantly from that of the healthy population. The result of the study shows a small but statistically significant difference in the Rh blood group between patients with AA and the healthy population blood groups. This result is important because it suggests that genetic factors may influence the development of AA. The role of blood groups in the development of AA remains to be determined. We believe that the studies which will be carried out in other centers with wider series will be more valuable to support this hypothesis.
Background/ Objectives Isotretinoin is a synthetic vitamin A agent that affects all of the pathogenic factors that suppress sebum production and play a role in the formation of acne. It is frequently used in the treatment of moderate‐severe acne vulgaris. However, there are some mucocutaneous and systemic side effects that limit the use of isotretinoin. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of isotretinoin on hair growth parameters. Material and Methods Isotretinoin treatment at 0.5 mg/kg per day dose was started to patients with moderate‐severe acne vulgaris, and hair growth parameters were evaluated before treatment and after 3 months of treatment. Parameters were measured by Fotofinder dermatoscopy device using the TrichoScan Professional program. Results In the TrichoScan analysis, the total hair count, hair density, percentage of anagen and telogen hair, density, count, and ratio of vellus and terminal hairs in the 0.73 area were calculated. As a result, there were differences in some values between the first analysis and the second analysis. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Our study was based on the mucocutaneous side effects of isotretinoin which are telogen effluvium and thinning hair. Our results support that the drug does not alter hair growth parameters in the short term and when very high doses are not used.
Background: Cicatricial alopecia (CA) is a group of disorder characterized by permanent destruction of the hair follicle. Shear wave elastography (SWE) and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) are noninvasive ultrasonic techniques which evaluate thickness, stiffness, and vascular index of tissues.Objectives: This study explored the ranges of cicatricial alopecia area and normal scalp with a combined modality of SMI and SWE and investigated the feasibility of their use in assessing these diseases.Methods: Seventeen patients diagnosed with CA and twenty healthy controls were included in the study. SWE and SMI were performed with an Aplio 500 ultrasound system. Results:The mean age of patient group was 37.00 ± 13.16, and the mean age of the healthy controls were 36.00 ± 11.79. SWE results as m/s in cicatricial plaques (x = 5191) were higher than non-alopecic scalp areas (x = 4460) in patient group (t (16) = 2260; P = 0.038 < 0.05). SMI values in patient group (cicatricial plaques) (x = 1200) were significantly higher than control group SMI values (x = 0.005) (t (35) = 3.075; P = 0.012 < 0.05). Conclusions:To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate SWE and SMI scores in cicatricial alopecia. We found higher stiffness and vascularity in patient group. We conclude that SWE and SMI can show fibrosis and inflammation like previous studies. Especially, SWE as m/s is more sensitive than as kPa for cicatricial alopecia. K E Y W O R D S alopecia, fibrosis, sclerosis, ultrasonography How to cite this article: Kaya İslamoğlu ZG, Uysal E. A preliminary study on ultrasound techniques applied to cicatricial alopecia. Skin Res Technol. 2019;25:810-814.
Background:Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting a large number of people in the world. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin condition characterized by relapsing eczematous lesions in a typical distribution. It was first described in 1933 but exists since antiquity.Aim and Objectives:To determine the relationship between AD and IBS.Materials and Methods:A total of 109 patients with AD and 100 healthy controls were included in the study. They were defined for diagnosis of IBS according to ROME-III diagnostic criteria. Supporting findings, Bristol stool scale, frequency of defecation and history of AD and IBS were also evaluated. AD severity was assessed using Severity Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis index.Results:A total of 62 patients (56.9%) in the AD group and 28 patients (28%) in the control group were diagnosed with IBS (P<0.001). Supportive findings excluding abnormal stool frequency and passage of mucus were more frequent in AD patients. There was no significant relationship between disease severity according to SCORAD index and variables in AD patients.Conclusions:This is a rather uncultivated area in the field of AD. We observed that IBS was more common in AD group. Also, supporting findings like abnormal stool form, abdominal distension, feeling of incomplete evacuation, and straining were found more frequently in AD patients. These results may indicate the association between AD and IBS. In our opinion, patients with atopic dermatitis should be questioned in terms of IBS.
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