The British journal of dermatology
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Comparative Study
Significant correlation between the CD63 assay and the histamine release assay in chronic urticaria.
Antibodies directed to the alpha subunit of the high affinity IgE receptor and the IgE molecule are proposed to be of pathogenetic relevance in a group of patients with chronic urticaria (CU). The diagnosis of autoimmune chronic urticaria (ACU) is difficult; the autologous serum skin test (ASST) seems to be a useful screening test, but reliable, additional confirmatory methods are needed. ⋯ The CD63 expression assay seems to be a reliable functional test in the diagnosis of ACU, particularly if highly sensitive donor basophils are used, but the determination of the sCD40L serum level was not sufficient to differentiate between the autoimmune and the nonautoimmune patient groups.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
CLinical experience acquired with the efalizumab (Raptiva) (CLEAR) trial in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results from a phase III international randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Efalizumab (anti-CD11a), a humanized monoclonal antibody, blocks multiple T-cell-dependent functions implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, including T-cell activation, migration to the skin, reactivation in psoriatic skin and interactions with keratinocytes. ⋯ The efficacy and safety of efalizumab therapy were comparable between high-need patients and the more general moderate-to-severe psoriasis patient population. In view of its demonstrated efficacy and safety profile, efalizumab represents a valuable option for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, including high-need patients.
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Dermatological problems are common, but in undergraduate medical courses time for learning dermatology and teaching dermatology is limited. The Delphi technique has been used in other specialties to define undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and to reach consensus on what is important. ⋯ A multidisciplinary panel identified dermatological learning outcomes that should be achieved by all medical graduates. Undergraduate medical curricula must provide sufficient resources for learning, teaching and assessment of dermatology so that graduates achieve these outcomes.
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Although itch is the predominant symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), it is poorly characterized and subjective. The objective assessment of itch intensity is important for treatment and follow-up in patients with AD. ⋯ Beta-endorphin and IgE are both useful biomarkers for itch and disease severity in patients with AD, while TEWL is a good biomarker for itch intensity. These biomarkers provide a way to assess the itch intensity in patients with AD.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Improvement in quality of life with infliximab induction and maintenance therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis: a randomized controlled trial.
Psoriasis has a well-documented, markedly negative effect on patient quality of life. ⋯ Infliximab induction and maintenance regimens resulted in rapid, substantial, sustained and clinically meaningful improvement in both dermatology-specific and general quality of life indices in patients with psoriasis, with total clearance resulting in maximum improvement.