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Biomedical subjects

C Pelfini

Publications and source records attributed to C Pelfini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Clinical trial of the efficacy and safety of oral etretinate with calcipotriol cream compared with etretinate alone in moderate-severe psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and safety of calcipotriol cream associated with oral etretinate compared with etretinate alone in the treatment of moderate-severe psoriasis. METHODS: This controlled multicenter trial, within patients (hemiparts), enrolled 86 in- or out-patients (62 males, 24 females), mean (+/-SD) age 57.1 +/- 14.2 years, with psoriasis vulgaris on both sides of the body, and mean (+/-SE) baseline PASI score (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) 30.7 +/- 0.9. All patients took oral etretinate 50 mg/day and applied calcipotriol cream (50 microg/g) on one half of their body twice a day. Treatment was continued for 9 weeks, and patients were seen every 3 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of the first 3 weeks the PASI score indicated a significant clinical difference between the two sides of the body (P < 0.001, ANOVA), with a reduction of 50.7% in the score for the calcipotriol-treated half, compared with a 39% reduction for the untreated half. By the 9th week of treatment the PASI score was 81.4% lower on the treated half, and 70.3% on the untreated side (P < 0.001, ANOVA). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that patients with moderate-severe psoriasis might benefit from treatment with etretinate plus calcipotriol, with the aim of achieving a faster response and an overall smaller total dose of etretinate.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Morphometric computerized analysis as a method to assess skin atrophy caused by corticosteroids.

We have employed morphometric computerized analysis to quantify changes in atrophic skin. Atrophy was induced on volunteers by means of the Duhring chamber assay, using two commercial corticosteroids with a steroid-free base as control. After 20 days, atrophy was assessed by subjective examination and rated on a five-point scale. After 10 and 20 days, positive replicas of the areas under test were obtained. Photographic reproductions of these replicas were stored in the image memory of an interactive automatic computerized image analysis system, Kontron Zeiss Ibas 2, and processed with a suitable program. After selection of the measurement area by means of a circular measurement window, the 'continuous tone' image was converted to a 'binary' one by means of a dynamic discrimination function, in order to perform an automatic evaluation of the percentage area corresponding to the shadows cast by the surface markings. Morphometric computerized analysis proved to be a sensitive method for quantifying skin atrophy. A high degree of correspondence with subjective examination was shown. The method allows an objective differentiation between a mid-potency and a high-potency topical corticosteroid.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

[Flurbiprofen in gel: study of acceptability, tolerability and evaluation of its allergenic potential].

The study aimed to assess the allergenic capacity of gel-based flurbiprofen in healthy volunteers, and then evaluate its acceptance and tolerability in patients affected by various skin diseases. Twenty-five healthy volunteers of both sexes (age range: 19-35 years) were included in the first phase of the study. Allergenic capacity was evaluated using Kligman's maximization test in which 5 patch tests were carried out on the same site using a solution of 2.5% lauryl sulphate, followed by patch tests using gel-based flurbiprofen. Control tests were performed 15 days later. The second phase of the study comprised 15 hospitalised patients, with an age range of between 18 and 70 years, affected by psoriasis and eczema. All patients were treated with gel-based 5% flurbiprofen twice daily for 2 weeks. Patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire in order to assess the acceptance and tolerability of the drug. Only one subject in the first group showed an allergic response to the drug. Adverse effects were observed in two patients in the second group. Drug acceptance was excellent.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Insulin receptors in psoriasis.

We have demonstrated how in psoriasis, irrespective of any diabetic family history, there exists a state of hyperinsulinism with a decreased resistance to insulin, which is aggravated by obesity. Since reviewing the latest studies concerning diabetes at the receptor level, we have carried out a comparative study dealing with insulin receptors in lymphocytes in homogeneous groups of normal, obese, and psoriatics of normal weight and overweight. We have also made a comparison regarding the behaviour of the receptors in these various metabolic states.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1979

Insulinogenic indexes in psoriasis.

We have earlier demonstrated that in psoriasis there exists a reduced tolerance to carbohydrates in association with hyperinsulinism. To pursue this problem further, we felt it worthwhile to deal with the results of the oral glucose tolerance test performed on 78 subjects (divided into homogenous groups of normal, obese and psoriatic groups, both with and without diabetic genetic history and obesity) with determinations of both blood glucose and blood insulin levels. We have calculated the insulinogenic indexes by using the techniques elaborated by various authors (I/G, delta I/delta G, AI/AG) and we have then carried out a statistical evaluation both of these indexes and of the ratio between the various indexes employing not only the usual techniques but also that of correlation and simple and multiple regression. We have done this in order to evaluate which of these indexes is better suited to demonstrate the physiopathological mechanism concerning the relationship between insulin hypersecretion and reduced carbohydrate tolerance in the various pathological conditions which we have dealt with.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1977

Psoriasis and insulin secretion. Preliminary results.

We have studied psoriatic subjects with normal weight and with overweight without inherited diabetic familiarity. The results seem to indicate the existence in psoriasis of an endogenous insulin-resistence. In this prospective the hypothesis that psoriasis carries a diabetogen risk is suggested.

Blood Glucose↗