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BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune, T-cell mediated, and chronic inflammatory disorder. The pathological mechanisms of disease are unclear, but oxidative stress may be involved. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the oxidative stress levels or biomarkers within the lesional area and skin surface in patients with AA. Similarly, adenosine deaminase (ADA) has not been characterized in AA. AIMS: Therefore, we aimed to define ADA levels and the factors involved in oxidative stress from scalp-scrapes of patients with AA. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHOD: A total of 60 patients (30 diagnosed AA patients and 30 healthy controls) were included in the study. ADA as well as oxidative stress factors, including malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were analyzed from scalp-scrapes in both groups and quantified by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Activities of SOD (p=0.000), CAT (p=0.033), and ADA (p=0.004) as well as levels of GSH (p=0.000) and MDA (p=0.032) in patients with AA were higher than the controls statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, factors associated with oxidative stress were elevated in AA patient scalp-scrapes compared to controls and may have a defined role the disease pathogenesis. Alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes from AA patient scraping samples may be a local effect of elevated oxidative stress levels. In this disease, oxidative stress may affect not only hair follicle but also any layers of the skin.

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BACKGROUND: Tinea pedis (TP) is an infection of the feet caused by fungi. The infectious diseases caused by dermatophytes are mainly related to the enzymes produced by these fungi. Up to the now, the local 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), concentration as oxidative stress biomarker and trace elements status have not been published in patients with TP. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between oxidative stress and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Se), and to evaluate the ratios of Cu/Zn and Cu/Se in this disorder. METHODS: Forty-three consecutive patients with a diagnosis of unilateral interdigital TP were enrolled in this study. The samples were obtained by scraping the skin surface. 8-iso-PGF2α concentrations in scraping samples were determined by ELISA. In addition, the levels of Se, Zn and Cu in scraping samples were determined on flame and furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer using Zeeman background correction. RESULTS: Oxidative stress was confirmed by the significant elevation in 8-iso-PGF2α concentrations (p < 0.05). When compared to non-lesional area, Zn and Se levels were significantly lower on lesional area, whereas Cu levels was higher on the lesional area than the non-lesional area (p < 0.05). In addition, the correlation results of this study were firstly shown that there were significant and positive correlations between Cu and 8-iso-PGF2α parameters, but negative correlations between Se-Cu; Se-8-iso-PGF2α parameters in lesional area. Furthermore, the ratios of Cu/Zn and Cu/Se were significantly higher on the lesional area than the non-lesional area (p < 0.05). According to sex and fungal subtypes, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of 8-iso-PGF2α and trace elements in patients with TP (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that there is a possible link between oxidative stress (increased 8-iso-PGF2α concentrations) and imbalanced of trace elements status in lesional area of TP patients. The use of antifungal agents together with both Zn and Se drugs could be helpful in the both regression of disease and in shortening the duration of disease.

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Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease that has a severe impact on quality of life. There is lack of data regarding epidemiological and clinical features of psoriasis patients in Turkey, a country with a population of 76 million. The aim of this study was to define the demographic and clinical characteristics, quality of life and treatment patterns of psoriasis patients in Turkey. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at 40 centers, chosen from geographically diverse locations in Turkey. Patients diagnosed with psoriasis were assessed by investigators who were specialists of dermatology using standardized study questionnaire forms. Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) forms were also filled out by each patient. 3971 psoriasis patients were included in this study. 24.2% of plaque psoriasis patients had moderate to severe psoriasis (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, ≥10). Mean DLQI was 7.03 ± 6.02; quality of life was moderately, severely or very severely affected in 49.2% of patients. The most severely affected component of EQ-5D was anxiety/depression. Among all patients, 22.9% were not receiving any treatment, 39.8% were receiving only topical treatment, 11.5% were on phototherapy, 26.1%, were taking conventional systemic agents and 4.1% were on a biologic treatment. 31.3% of psoriasis patients with moderate to severe disease were treated with only topical agents and only 30.5% of moderate to severe psoriasis patients were receiving systemic therapy. Moderate to severe psoriasis has a considerable impact on quality of life. Treatment in Turkey of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis is insufficient.

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BACKGROUND: To assess the prevalence and severity of RLS in psoriasis patients and to investigate its effects on sleep and quality of life. METHODS: Seventy patients with psoriasis in Trakya University Medical Faculty Dermatology Department and also applied to Neurology Department in the same center and 70 volunteer controls were enrolled in the study. Severity of the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was determined using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria among the patients who have been diagnosed with RLS based on IRLSSG criteria. The presence of insomnia in patients was detected using International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-II) criteria. Additionally, to evaluate the severity of the disease and quality of life, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) tests were applied to the patients with psoriasis. RESULTS: RLS frequency in patients with psoriasis was 28 (40%) compared to the control group 10 (14.2%), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). IRLSSG severity scores were higher in patients with psoriasis who had insomnia secondary to RLS compared to those who did not have insomnia (p<0.001). The mean values of PASI were 7.54 +/- 6.52 in the presence of insomnia and 3.27 +/- 2.69 in the absence of insomnia. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). No significant difference was found in DLQI scores between patients with RLS and without RLS or between patients with and without insomnia (p>0.05). DISCUSSIONS: RLS frequency in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher than in the control group. In addition, we found that RLS is more common but RLS severity was mildly high in patients with psoriasis relative to controls. However, there was a correlation between the increase in severity of RLS with secondary insomnia patients who were diagnosed with RLS. It may be beneficial to consider RLS and insomnia for each patient diagnosed with psoriasis.

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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with haematological malignancies at our centre who were diagnosed with leukaemia cutis (LC). In addition, we describe the spectrum of other skin lesions, including, secondary skin malignancies and nonspecific benign skin lesions in haematological malignancy patients. METHODS: We defined 58 skin lesions that developed in 54 inpatients hospitalised in the Department of Haematology, Trakya University Medical Faculty, Turkey. All skin lesions that developed in inpatients between 2006 and 2012 had been evaluated by a dermatologist. The patients' clinical features, skin biopsy results and therapies were obtained from hospital files. The diagnosis of LC was based on clinical features and histopathological examinations of the skin biopsy. RESULTS: There were 11 patients with LC. Six (54.5%) had acute myeloblastic leukaemia. In nine patients (82%), LC was present at the initial presentation. Secondary skin malignancy was detected in 11 patients (five basal cell carcinoma, four Kaposi's sarcoma, one squamous cell carcinoma, one malignant melanoma); and malignancy was present in two patients (18%) at the initial presentation. Nonspecific benign skin lesions, the most frequent of which were drug eruptions, were determined in 32 of our patients. LC had a significantly higher likelihood of being present at initial presentation than other skin lesions (P < 0.01). The median survival in LC patients was quite short (4.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: LC was usually diagnosed at the initial presentation of the patient or during the early course of the disease. Having LC was a poor prognostic factor.

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Neuropathological and molecular basis of pruritus has not been clarified and the presence of certain specific neural circuits have been proposed. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the role of Aδ fibers in the neural circuits of pruritus by cutaneous silent period (CSP). Thirty-six patients with chronic idiopathic generalized pruritus and 32 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. CSP and nerve conduction studies of upper and lower extremities were performed in both groups. Latencies of CSP in the upper and lower extremities were observed to be prolonged in the patient group compared with the controls while durations were shortened (all P < 0.001). However, these values were not correlated with sex, age, duration or severity of the disease (all P > 0.05). Our data suggest that pruritus may be developed by a nerve conduction abnormality in the afferent fibers of Aδ, or cortical hypersensitivity, abnormality of the cortical inhibitory mechanisms or lack of inhibition in the intermediate spinal inhibitory neurons generating CSP. This topic needs to be evaluated thoroughly in larger series with more detailed studies.

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Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the scalp. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in scraping samples of patients with scalp SD. Thirty consecutive patients with a diagnosis of scalp SD and thirty-one healthy volunteers were enrolled. The samples were obtained by scraping the skin surface of the scalp. SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels were measured in scraping samples by spectrophotometric method. SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (p<0.001 all). There was a positive correlation between the severity of the disease and itching scores (contingency coefficient = 0.671, p<0.001). Except for this correlation, there was no significant correlation among age, sex, duration and severity of the disease, itching scores, antioxidant enzymes and MDA levels in the patient group (p>0.05). Cutaneous oxidative stress in patients with SD may play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Further clinical and laboratory evaluation of the oxidant/antioxidant system in patients with SD is warranted.

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Several skin diseases are believed to be associated with oxidative stress. Tinea pedis is an infection of the feet caused by fungi. The infectious diseases caused by dermatophytes are mainly related to the enzymes produced by these fungi. The cutaneous oxidative stress status of tinea pedis has not been demonstrated in the published work up to now. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress in affected skin areas in a group of patients with interdigital tinea pedis. Thirty-one consecutive patients with a diagnosis of unilateral interdigital tinea pedis were enrolled. The samples were obtained by scraping the skin surface. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde levels were measured spectrophotometrically. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and the levels of malondialdehyde were significantly higher on the lesional area than the non-lesional area (P < 0.001). According to sex and fungal subtypes, there was no significant difference in the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with tinea pedis (P > 0.05). Our results suggested that antioxidant defense of lesional skin surface was higher compared to non-lesional skin. This is possibly due to a compensatory response to various fungal infections and thereby protects the cells against oxidative damage.

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BACKGROUND: Pruritus affects the quality of life (QoL) in the patients. However, little is known of the impacts of itching on the QoL in the literature. OBJECTIVE: In this study, a questionnaire eliciting specific responses about pruritus was used to determine the effect of itching and its severity on QoL in chronic pruritic patients. METHODS: One hundred ten adult patients with chronic pruritus were surveyed. Once itch severity had been self-reported by patients, together with Skindex-29, they have been given the 18-item Pruritus-related Life Quality Index (PLQI) questionnaire, which was used to generated the new index. RESULTS: Significant correlations have been found between the pruritus severity score of participants and their total Skindex-29 (p<0.001) with its function, emotion and symptom subscale scores (p<0.001 for each). Also, significant correlations were evident between total PLQI (p<0.001) and its psychosocial negativities, difficulties in everyday activities and social live subscale scores (p<0.001 for each). In particular, the emotion subscale of Skindex-29 (p=0.02) and psychosocial negativity subscale of PLQI (p=0.02) were significantly high in psychopathologic patients. A highly positive statistical correlation between Skindex-29 and PLQI scales was evident (r=0.845, p<0.001). For reliability, Cronbach's coefficient a coefficients were 0.931 for the Skindex-29 scale and 0.918 for the PLQI scale. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that chronic pruritus appreciably reduces the QoL. PLQI could be used in the development of new questionnaires for determining the QoL of patients with chronic itch.

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We evaluated platelet and endothelial activation parameters in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a disease reported to be associated with the development of endothelial dysfunction and increased atherosclerotic complications. Twenty patients with PsA, eight psoriasis and 20 healthy controls were included into the study. The patients' clinical features and acute phase parameters were assessed. In all patients and controls, platelet-monocyte complexes (PMC), platelet-neutrophil complexes (PNC), and basal and ADP-stimulated P-selectin expression were determined with flow cytometry; soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) and soluble CD40L (sCD40L) were determined with ELISA. Patterns of joint involvement and degrees of skin involvement in PsA patients were assessed. PMC in PsA patients were significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.02). PNC were not significantly different among the three groups (p values > 0.05). sE-selectin levels in both PsA and psoriasis groups were significantly higher than in healthy controls (p values, respectively, <0.001 and 0.023). Basal and ADP-stimulated CD62P expression and sCD40L level were similar in all groups (p values > 0.05). Polyarticular PsA patients had significantly higher sCD40L than oligoarticular plus spondylitic PsA groups (p = 0.04). sCD40L level was higher in active PsA group than in inactive PsA group (p = 0.03). Groups with limited and extensive skin involvement did not differ significantly in the evaluated parameters. C-reactive protein (CRP) level in PsA patients correlated with sCD40L (r = 0.69, p = 0.012), basal CD62P expression (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) and ADP-stimulated CD62P expression (r = 0.73, p = 0.001). Endothelial activation might be have a role in the pathogenesis of both psoriasis and PsA. Among parameters of platelet activation, only PMC might play a role in the pathogenesis of PsA.

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OBJECTIVES: Vitiligo is an acquired skin disease characterized by white areas on the skin. The pathogenesis of the disease is still unclear. Some findings show that oxidative stress could be an important phenomenon in the pathophysiology of vitiligo. METHODS: We evaluated 16 consecutive localized vitiligo patients and 16 healthy controls of a similar age and sex distribution. We measured their indicators of oxidative stress such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in erythrocytes, and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: SOD activities and MDA levels of patients were significantly higher than controls (p < 0.001). CAT and G6PD activities of patients were significantly lower than controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results confirmed that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Melanocyte damage in vitiligo might be linked to generalized oxidative stress. This study is the first report on some antioxidant parameters of localized-type vitiligo patients.

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OBJECTIVE: The Internet is currently used as a tool to obtain information, make conversation, and find sexual partners. The aim of this study was to investigate Turkish Internet users's awareness of and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by using a standard web-based questionnaire. METHOD: Our study was performed using a standard web-based questionnaire form open to all Internet users consisting of questions and statements about HIV/AIDS and other STDs. The study included 898 participants. RESULTS: The most common sources from which respondents obtained STD-related information were stated as primarily print sources, followed by the Internet. Although men and women had similar educational levels, women were more informed about HIV/AIDS (p = 0.001). People with better awareness of HIV/AIDS had more information and also had different attitudes (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that Turkish Internet users lack HIV/AIDS and other STD- related awareness and have mistaken opinions. Because it is the best and the fastest communication tool of our age, the Internet should have correct orientations and should be developed in order to give people access to reliable information. Because young people increasingly use the Internet on a daily basis, this medium might be a good educational tool for HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

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Today, it is very easy to access information for both doctors and patients thanks to the Internet. The number of websites including health information is increasing day by day. This study was targeted to retrospectively investigate the dermatological questions received by the free consultation page of the health site for IsNet customers. The patients were assessed on the aspects of age and sex. The diseases were classified by the subject of the questions emailed and on what the patient would like to learn. It was also assessed whether the patient had seen a doctor before sending the email. The responses of the dermatologist were also classified as information on the disease and the treatment. A total of 607 questions were examined. One hundred and thirteen male and 69 female patients disclosed their sexes. Also, only 208 patients stated their age and the mean age was 29.3 years. Four hundred and sixty questions were related to the emailer. The questions usually asked were about treatment and requests for comprehensive information about the disease. The diseases most frequently asked about were: acne, hair diseases, pruritus, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, superficial mycoses and vitiligo. Most responses were related to general information on diagnosis and treatment options. The Internet is frequently preferred for its speed; therefore, users do not give detailed information because it is not required. These results show there are differences in the intentions of our Internet users and the aims of our health website. In order to conduct these kinds of services more efficiently, preparing special forms would be useful. These data can be beneficial in the development of e-medicine programs.

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Studies about the role of cytokines on the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) are generally based on in vitro observations and this role has not been completely clarified yet. Serum levels of total IgE, IL-18, IL-12, IFN-gamma and the relationship between these parameters and disease severity, determined using the SCORAD index, in a group of atopic patients were investigated in this study. Serum levels of total IgE were measured by the nephelometric method and serum levels of IL-18, IL-12/p40 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA method. Serum levels of total IgE and IL-18 were found significantly higher in study group than in controls (P<.001). There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls in respect of serum levels of IL-12/p40 (P = .227). A statistically significant relationship between SCORAD values and serum levels of total IgE (P < .001), IL-18 (P < .001), and IL-12/p40 (P < .001) was determined. These results show that serum levels of IL-18 can be a sensitive parameter that importantly correlates with clinical severity of AD, can play a role in the immunopathogenesis of AD, and furthermore may be used in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease in addition to other parameters.

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BACKGROUND: Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is caused by a poxvirus which produces cutaneous lesions appearing as small, firm, umbilicated papules. Lesions of MC are most commonly seen in young children. Transmission is through viral particles, which remain on surfaces, autoinoculation, or from contact with open lesions. There are many options for treatment of MC and these may be broadly subdivided into destructive, immunological and antiviral therapies. An alternative treatment would be desirable in pediatric patients. Imiquimod (IQ) is a member of immune response modifiers. METHODS: Here, the results of 12 Turkish pediatric patients with MC who used IQ 5% cream (aged between 3-13 years; six boys, six girls) are given. The cream was applied by the mothers in the evening, three times per week every other day up to 16 weeks. RESULTS: One of the patients gave up the treatment because of Influenza-like symptoms, and two of them because of the progress in the lesions continued. In seven of the remaining nine patients, total recovery was achieved. Local side-effects in patients were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: When all the patients affected with MC who exclusively used IQ 5% cream as mentioned in the literature were studied, 35 of 83 patients (42.2%) had complete clearance. These have differences in the form and duration of application. IQ 5% cream can be preferred in the treatment of children with MC because of its applicability at home, easy application and good tolerability. However, different application methods and suitable treatment methods should be determined.

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Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a relatively unusual, locally aggressive cutaneous tumor of intermediate malignancy. Fibrosarcomatous DFSP (FS-DFSP), a rare variant of DFSP, has a higher tendency for recurrence and metastasis. Recently, a small number of cases of another variant of FSDFSB characterized by areas of myoid differentiation have been reported. We present here a 35 yearold female patient with myoid differentiation in FS-DFSP. The tumor on the left scapular region had slowly grown over six years. Examination revealed a domeshaped, firm, nontender, violaceous dermal nodule. Histologically, it was composed of a monotonous spindle cell population arranged predominantly in a storiform pattern and to a lesser extent in a fascicular fibrosarcomatous pattern with a parallel arrangement of the cells. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed diffuse expression for vimentin and CD34. In the center of the tumor areas with frequent mitosis, hypercellular and negative reactive for CD34 were seen. In addition, approximately 10% of the cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen. Myoid differentiation was found around the blood vessels. The myoid areas were positive for smooth muscle actin and negative for desmin. It is possible that the presence of hyperplastic myofibroblasts is a reactive phenomenon to the proliferation of tumor cells. We believe that this finding around blood vessels may be present in DFSP or FS-DFSP. However, when myoid areas, myoid fascicles and myoid nodules are seen in the stroma, it may be a new morphological variant of DFSP and/or FS-DFSP.

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Pilomatricoma is a rare skin neoplasm, most commonly seen in the head and neck region, and occurring in the first two decades of life. It is usually solitary and varies from 0.5 to 2 cm in diameter. Its etiology is unknown. Perforating pilomatricoma is a rare clinical variant that presents as a draining, crusted nodule or ulcer, and is reported to arise faster than the classic pilomatricoma. Herein, we report a case of 35-year-old female, who had a 4-month history of a growing mass on her leg. On physical examination, a 4-cm diameter, asymptomatic, erythematous, ulcerated mass was noted on the left anterio-lateral upper leg. The first histopathological analysis of a punch biopsy from the lesion was reported as basal cell carcinoma. Therefore, the lesion was totally excised. There were shadow cells, squamoid cells, and basaloid aggregations more prominently in the one area in the tumor. In addition, calcification, foreign body giant cells and inflammatory cells were present. Punch or excisional biopsies are preferred as a method of diagnosis for the majority of cutaneous neoplasms. If total excision is not the method of choice, multiple punch biopsies should be made from different areas in large skin tumors for correct diagnosis.

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