Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Aug 2004
Case ReportsGemcitabine-associated scleroderma-like changes of the lower extremities.
Gemcitabine is a nucleosid analog approved for use in the treatment of metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. We describe an unusual case of scleroderma-like changes of the lower extremities after treatment by gemcitabine for metastatic carcinoma of the bladder. The patient developed initial inflammatory edema (3 kg) restricted to the lower extremities and subsequent scleroderma-like changes after 2 cycles of gemcitabine. ⋯ Discontinuation of gemcitabine resulted in dramatic removal of the edema, softening of the skin, and partial reversibility of the fibrotic process. This is the first case report of a scleroderma-like reaction associated with gemcitabine. This antineoplastic agent must be added to the very limited number of cytostatic agents capable of giving rise to scleroderma-like features.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Aug 2004
Case ReportsA complete and durable clinical response to high-dose dexamethasone in a patient with scleromyxedema.
We report a case of a patient with scleromyxedema limited to the skin with an associated IgG lambda monoclonal protein treated successfully with high-dose dexamethasone. We encourage the continued investigation of this complex relationship between the clinical presentation of scleromyxedema and its frequently associated paraproteinemia.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Aug 2004
Case ReportsAssociation of porphyria cutanea tarda with hereditary hemochromatosis.
An increased frequency of hereditary hemochromatosis gene mutations occurs in patients with porphyria cutanea tarda. Polymerase chain reaction analysis of peripheral blood for hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations is available for clinical use. Early detection and treatment of hereditary hemochromatosis limit disease progression and improve life expectancy. ⋯ Porphyria cutanea tarda can be an important cutaneous marker for patients with mutations of the HFE gene. HFE gene analysis should be done in patients who present with porphyria cutanea tarda. The dermatologist may play a key role in the early diagnosis of subclinical hereditary hemochromatosis in patients who present with porphyria cutanea tarda.
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J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. · Aug 2004
Statistical reviewing policies in dermatology journals: results of a questionnaire survey of editors.
Problems with statistical methods and reporting have been noted in articles published in dermatology journals. Conclusions presented in published reports may be misleading if based on inappropriate or misinterpreted statistical analysis. ⋯ Dermatology journals infrequently perform statistical reviews of submitted manuscripts. Dermatology journal editors' statistical review policies range from no general policy to (most frequently) requesting reviews on a case-by-case basis to reviewing all submitted manuscripts. Many editors favor more rigorous statistical reviewing policies for their journals. Increased use of statistical reviewing may increase the reliability of conclusions published in dermatology journals.