Biomedical subjects

Henry W Lim

Publications and source records attributed to Henry W Lim.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Narrow-band ultraviolet B treatment for vitiligo, pruritus, and inflammatory dermatoses.

BACKGROUND: Narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has been used successfully for the treatment of inflammatory and pigmentary skin disorders including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, mycosis fungoides, polymorphous light eruption, and vitiligo. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the treatment outcomes of 117 consecutive patients with vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses, excluding those with psoriasis and CTCL, who were treated with NB-UVB between 1998 and 2001 at our institution. RESULTS: Approximately 80% of all patients showed improvement in their condition. NB-UVB phototherapy was well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects. In patients with vitiligo, 6.4% had an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level and 6.5% had anemia. CONCLUSION: NB-UVB may be considered as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of vitiligo, pruritus, and other inflammatory dermatoses. Long-term adverse effects and cost-benefit analysis of NB-UVB therapy compared to other treatment modalities remain to be determined.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Classification and evaluation of photodermatoses.

Photodermatoses can be classified into five general categories: 1) idiopathic photodermatoses, including polymorphic light eruption (PMLE), actinic prurigo, hyroa vacciniforme, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria; 2) photodermatoses which are secondary to exogenous agents, including phototoxic and photoallergic reactions; 3) photodermatoses secondary to endogenous agents, mainly the porphyrias; 4) photoexacerbated dermatoses, including autoimmune disease, infectious conditions, and nutritional deficiencies; and 5) genodermatoses. The initial step in evaluating a photosensitive patient is based on a directed personal and family history. The morphology of the eruption, phototests, and in some patients, photopatch tests are essential in focusing the diagnosis. Skin biopsies and laboratory investigations, such as antinuclear antibody (ANA) panels and porphyrin profiles, may be required to further confirm the diagnosis.

Dermatitis, Photoallergic↗

PubMed2003

Sunscreens.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

PubMed2002

Analysis of phenotypic variation in psoriasis as a function of age at onset and family history.

To evaluate the relationship between psoriasis disease severity, age at onset, and family history, we analyzed 537 US psoriatics, most of whom were from Michigan. Total body surface area involvement (%TBSA), presence or absence of joint complaints, and nail involvement were measured. Analysis of familial psoriatics revealed that %TBSA was 15.1% when onset was early, but only 8.7% when onset was late ( P=0.00003). The opposite trend was seen when psoriasis was sporadic: %TBSA was 14.3% when onset was early (</=40 years of age) compared to 28.0% when onset was late ( P=0.0034). However, the sporadic group was small and ascertainment of the sporadic group was biased for severe involvement. As determined by log-linear analysis, joint complaints and age at onset were not significantly associated after controlling for age at examination, nor were joint complaints and familial status. Psoriatic nail changes were conditionally independent of familial status, given age at onset; nail changes were more frequently encountered in early-onset patients. There was no significant difference in the frequency of carriage of the MHC psoriasis risk determinant in the familial vs sporadic groups. Early-onset psoriatics did carry this determinant significantly more frequently, as expected. These results demonstrate increased severity of skin and nail disease in early-onset psoriasis, when psoriasis is familial. The lack of clinical differences between "familial" and "sporadic" psoriasis may reflect a similar genetic basis for both conditions, at least when onset is early.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Polymorphous light eruption in African Americans: pinpoint papular variant.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) is the most common chronic idiopathic photodermatosis usually manifesting as a papular eruption (3-6 mm), with several other morphological variants described. METHODS: Between June 1998 and August 2001, nine patients presented with complaints of a pruritic pinpoint papular eruption associated with sun exposure. A detailed history and complete skin examination were performed along with a skin biopsy if active lesions were present. Phototesting to ultraviolet-A (UV-A), ultraviolet-B (UV-B) and visible light was performed in four patients. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing was performed in three patients. The diagnosis of PMLE was made based on the history, morphology of the lesions, results of phototesting and skin biopsy if available. RESULTS: In all patients, pinpoint papules (1-2 mm) were observed on sun-exposed areas, sparring the face and flexural surfaces. All patients were African American women with skin type IV-VI and a mean age of 39.3 years (range 21-52 years). Phototest results were normal in three patients; one patient, who was on glyburide, had a decreased minimal erythema dose to UV-A. ANA testing was negative. Two histopathologic patterns were observed: (i) focal lichenoid and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with red blood cell extravasation in four specimens and (ii) superficial and deep interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate with papillary dermal edema in the remaining three specimens. All patients responded to topical corticosteroids, broad-spectrum sunscreens and antihistamines. CONCLUSION: Recognition of this pinpoint papular variant of PMLE in dark-skinned individuals is important in the evaluation and management of these patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Narrowband UVB phototherapy for early-stage mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy has been shown to be effective for the treatment of various dermatoses. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effect of NB-UVB in the treatment of early stage mycosis fungoides (MF). METHODS: The response of 24 patients (12 stage IA, 12 stage IB) with patch stage MF to thrice weekly NB-UVB was assessed. Twelve patients had skin phototypes I-III, and 12 had types IV-VI. Seven patients had hypopigmented MF. Mean follow-up period was 29.0 weeks. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (54.2%) had a complete response (CR), 7 (29.2%) had partial response (PR), and 4 (16.7%) had no response. Specimens from a repeat biopsy in 10 patients with CR showed histologic clearing in 9 of them. Upon discontinuation of treatment, 4 patients with CR relapsed, with a mean time to relapse of 12.5 weeks. CONCLUSION: NB-UVB is a viable, comparably safe, and easily administered alternative in the management of early stage MF.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation and management of the patient with photosensitivity.

Evaluation of patients with photosensitivity includes a detailed history, physical examination, phototests, photopatch tests, and other laboratory tests as appropriate. The epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of the more common idiopathic photodermatoses, namely, polymorphous light eruption, chronic actinic dermatitis, and solar urticaria will be reviewed. A brief overview of phototoxicity, photoallergy, and photoprotection is discussed with further elaboration upon the principles of phototherapy and its utility in treating idiopathic photodermatoses.

Humans↗