The British journal of dermatology
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The incidence and nature of cutaneous photosensitivity were studied in 10 patients suffering from dermatomyositis. Five reported an abnormality, which consisted of photoaggravation of preexisting cutaneous lesions in three, and abnormal transient erythemal responses in two. ⋯ Four other patients replied to a mailed questionnaire, and three of these reported aggravation of their rash and provocation of new lesions by sunlight. Photosensitivity may thus be an important cutaneous feature of dermatomyositis.
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Specimens of hypertrophic scar tissue (n = 9), non-hypertrophic, flat scar tissue (n = 5) and control skin (n = 3) were obtained from eight adult females (aged 22-56) and three adult males (aged 22-59). The specimens were studied histologically and immunohistochemically for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P, somatostatin, [Met]enkephalin, [Leu]enkephalin, and the enzyme dopamine beta-hydroxylase. The non-hypertrophic scar tissues were not dissimilar to the control tissue, but contained connective tissue in bundles with a greater number of collagen fibres. ⋯ Neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerves were found in the arrector pili muscle, and neuropeptide Y-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, calcitonin gene-related peptide-, [Met]enkephalin- and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-containing nerves were found within sweat glands. In patients with flat, non-hypertrophic scar tissue, neuropeptides and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-containing nerves were absent. In patients with hypertrophic scars, the density of neuropeptide Y-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-, substance P-, calcitonin gene-related peptide- and dopamine beta-hydroxylase-immunoreactive nerves was greater in the dermis when compared with controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Etretinate and its metabolite acitretin have been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of various disorders of keratinization, including lamellar ichthyosis. The aim of the present study was to provide further information on acitretin dosage regimens in the management of lamellar ichthyosis. Seven patients with classical manifestations of lamellar ichthyosis participated in the study. ⋯ Two patients improved following gradual incremental increase in dosage (> or = 35 mg/day). Four patients, including a patient with the erythrodermic variant, required low-dose acitretin treatment (< or = 25 mg/day), as higher doses resulted in a marked deterioration in their skin condition. The dichotomy with respect to the response to acitretin suggests that lamellar ichthyosis is a spectrum of at least two conditions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of narrow band phototherapy (TL-01) and photochemotherapy (PUVA) in the management of polymorphic light eruption.
Twenty-five patients suffering from severe polymorphic light eruption (PLE) were randomized to either photochemotherapy (PUVA) or narrow-band phototherapy (TL-01 UVB) treatment in early spring; patients receiving UVB were given placebo tablets to achieve a matching therapy procedure. During the 4 months following treatment, patient exposure to solar UVB was monitored with polysulphone badges. ⋯ Analysis of covariance on this data, using the logarithm of UVB exposure as the explanatory variable, showed no significant differences between the treatments. TL-01 UVB is an effective alternative to PUVA in the management of PLE.