Arch Dermatol
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Comparative Study
Aquagenic wrinkling of the palms in cystic fibrosis: comparison with controls and genotype-phenotype correlations.
To determine the prevalence of aquagenic wrinkling of the palms (AWP) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) compared with control patients, and evaluate for genotype-phenotype correlations. Since its first description over 30 years ago, AWP has frequently been anecdotally associated with CF, but this association has not been confirmed in a rigorous prospective case-control study. ⋯ Our results confirm the association between AWP and CF. Among patients with CF, greater AWP occurs in those who are homozygous for the DeltaF508 mutation.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
The effects of epidural blockade on the acute pain in herpes zoster.
To evaluate the relief of acute pain and possible preventive effects on postherpetic neuralgia through the use of an epidural blockade in the acute stage of herpes zoster. ⋯ We believe that an epidural blockade combined with an antiviral agent is a very effective treatment modality for the pain of acute herpes zoster, and we recommend its use for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia, with a view to shortening the total duration of pain, especially late residual pain.
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To review recent literature pertaining to adverse outcomes and mortality associated with office-based surgery. ⋯ Office-based surgery is safe and cost-effective. We caution against attempts to prohibit or severely restrict this important aspect of medical care.
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Odds ratios are commonly presented in the medical literature, including dermatology journals. Even when used appropriately, odds ratios are often difficult to interpret. ⋯ The divergence of odds ratios from relative risks when events are common (occurring in > or =10% of a sample) is explained. Methods to convert odds ratios to relative risks (and the reasons why conversion should be considered) are discussed.
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OBJECTIVE To summarize and critically appraise the evidence on the measurement properties of clinician-, patient-, and observer-reported outcomes, measuring any construct of interest in patients with all types of vitiligo. DATA SOURCES Electronic databases including PubMed (1948 to July 2011), OVID EMBASE (1980 to July 2011), and CINAHL (EBSCOhost) (1982 to July 2011) were searched. STUDY SELECTION Two authors independently screened all records for eligibility. ⋯ For other instruments, the evidence of measurement properties was limited or unknown. CONCLUSIONS Recommendations on the use of specific outcome measures for vitiligo should be formulated with caution because current evidence is insufficient owing to a low number of studies with poor methodological quality and unclear clinical relevance. To recommend outcome measures for vitiligo, further research on measurement properties of clinical relevant outcome measures for vitiligo according to COSMIN quality criteria is needed.