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Introduction: Documenting normal hair values through trichoscopy can provide a useful baseline when evaluating and treating hair loss in different populations. The aim of our study was to document normal values for measurable parameters of hair in adult Egyptian females. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 90 Egyptian females (age range 18-48 years), with no symptoms or signs of hair or scalp disease. Trichoscopy was performed in different scalp areas using FotoFinder Medicam 1000 videodermoscopy. Trichoscopy images were subjected to statistical processing using TrichoLAB system. Results: The frontal area demonstrated the highest number of hairs (190 ± 29/cm2), greatest average hair shaft thickness (63 ± 8 µm), greatest percentage of thick hairs (71% ± 12), highest mean cumulative hair thickness (12 ± 2 mm/cm2), and highest mean number of follicular units (82 ± 8/cm2). The temporal area showed the highest percentage of thin hairs (9% ± 5) and single-hair pilosebaceous units (23% ± 7), lowest mean number of hairs (154 ± 25/cm2), least average hair shaft thickness (60 ± 9 µm), least mean cumulative hair thickness (9 ± 2 mm/cm2), and least mean number of follicular units (70 ± 8/cm2). The occipital area showed the greatest percentage of triple-hair follicles (43% ± 12). Based on trichoscopy, the norms for hair parameters were calculated. Conclusion: Normal hair parameters in adult Egyptian females differ from those documented from other ethnicities. Evaluating and treating hair loss in clinical practice should be done in reference to documented normal values, which can be set through trichoscopy.
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BACKGROUND: Chronic venous leg ulcers drastically reduce the quality of life of affected patients. There is heightened interest in autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as one of the promising therapies for leg ulcers. AIM: Our aim was to compare the clinical efficacy of PRP in the management of chronic venous leg ulcers vs conventional treatment. PATIENTS/METHODS: In total, 40 patients with chronic venous leg ulcers were included in the study. Twenty patients were treated with autologous PRP weekly for 6 weeks (Group A), and 20 patients were treated with conventional treatment (compression and dressing) for 6 weeks (Group B). Treatment results were calculated by percentage of improvement in area of the ulcer. RESULTS: Compared to conventional therapy, a highly significant improvement in the ulcer size was observed post-PRP therapy (P-value = .0001). The mean change in the area of the ulcer post-PRP and conventional therapy was 4.92 ± 11.94 cm and 0.13 ± 0.27 cm, respectively, while the mean percentage improvement in the area of the ulcer post-PRP and conventional therapy was 67.6% ± 36.6% and 13.67% ± 28.06%, respectively. Subjective improvement in pain associated with the ulcer was noted by all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Platelet-rich plasma is a safe nonsurgical procedure for treating chronic venous leg ulcers. Additional studies with larger sample size and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm or refute our findings.
Asunto(s)
Plasma Rico en Plaquetas , Úlcera Varicosa/terapia , Adulto , Vendajes , Enfermedad Crónica , Desbridamiento , Femenino , Humanos , Pierna , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dolor/etiología , Dimensión del Dolor , Medias de Compresión , Resultado del Tratamiento , Úlcera Varicosa/complicaciones , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Angiogenesis and microvascular endothelial injury play a role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key regulator of angiogenesis, and nail fold capillaroscopy (NFC) have been investigated in few studies in SLE with no reports targeting SLE with cutaneous manifestations. To evaluate NFC changes and VEGF serum level in relation to disease activity in SLE patients with versus without cutaneous manifestations. Thirty SLE patients (15 with cutaneous manifestations [group I], 15 without [group II]) and 15 healthy controls were evaluated for VEGF serum levels, NFC changes and were related to disease activity. VEGF serum levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (median and interquartile range [IQR]: 2110.77, 471.09-4714.30 vs. 60.00, 14-366, respectively, P < 0.0001). VEGF cut-off value to predict SLE patients was more than 293 and to detect moderate and severe SLE activity was more than 422 pg/mL and more than 3800 pg/mL, respectively. Serum VEGF levels increased with increased disease activity (P < 0.05). It was significantly higher in group I than group II (median and IQR: 2624.74, 1801.39-4141.70 vs. 862.50, 180-2426.95, respectively, P < 0.05). Mean serum VEGF was significantly higher with NFC score 3 than 1 (P = 0.008). NFC score and SLE activity were significantly associated in patients (P < 0.05). Serum VEGF is significantly elevated in SLE patients with cutaneous manifestations and its cut-off values to detect different activity grades of SLE are identified. Abnormalities in NFC reflect the extent of microvascular involvement in SLE.