Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J P Callen.
Collagen vascular diseases are multisystem disorders that frequently affect the skin. At times, cutaneous disease is the initial manifestation. This article focuses on lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, and sclerodermoid syndromes.
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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic hepatitis and is frequently associated with extrahepatic disease. Recently, cutaneous disorders have been a presenting manifestation of HCV infection. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is one of the cutaneous diseases associated with hepatitis C. PCT manifests in an acute form with tense bullae and erosions and in a chronic form with milia, scarring, and sclerodermatous changes. HCV has also been implicated as a cause of vasculitis through immune complex deposition. We report a patient in whom HCV was associated with sclerodermoid PCT and a medium vessel vasculitis. This case underscores the importance of HCV and its potential cutaneous manifestations, as well as the importance of recognizing cutaneous manifestations of internal disease that may be the first clue to diagnosis of HCV.
BACKGROUND: A new class of topical receptor-selective acetylenic retinoids, the first of which is tazarotene, has been developed. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the safety, efficacy, and duration of therapeutic effect of 12 weeks of once-daily tazarotene 0.1% and 0.05% gel with that of twice-daily fluocinonide 0.05% cream in the treatment of patients with plaque psoriasis. METHODS: Three hundred forty-eight patients with plaque psoriasis were enrolled and 275 patients completed a multicenter, investigator-masked, randomized, parallel-group clinical trial. RESULTS: Both tazarotene gels were as effective as fluocinonide in reducing plaque elevation after 1 week of treatment, and tazarotene 0.1% gel was similar to fluocinonide in reducing scaling of trunk/limb lesions at all study weeks except week 4. Tazarotene 0. 1% gel was similar to fluocinonide in reducing scaling of knee/elbow lesions at weeks 8 and 12. Fluocinonide had a significantly greater effect on erythema than tazarotene at weeks 2 through 8. However, treatments were not significantly different at week 12, and tazarotene demonstrated significantly better maintenance of therapeutic effect after cessation of therapy. CONCLUSION: Tazarotene 0.1% and 0.05% gels were safe and effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis.
BACKGROUND: Superficial fungal infections of the skin are among the most common infections encountered in medicine. The diagnosis is easily confirmed with simple office-based procedures. In certain clinical situations, the diagnosis can be elusive. METHODS: We analyzed clinical data on five patients who came in referral for treatment of a recalcitrant dermatosis. RESULTS: All patients had their diagnosis confirmed by a positive potassium hydroxide preparation from skin scrapings or by a skin biopsy positive for fungal elements. All showed clinical improvement and ultimate resolution of their skin lesions with topical and/or systemic antifungal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis can be complicated by previous use of corticosteroid-containing topical and/or systemic agents, a clinical history closely resembling that of a photosensitive disorder, and a lack of clinical-histopathologic correlation. Laboratory procedures and skin biopsy of an ambiguous appearing lesion can be diagnostic, but an accurate diagnosis is dependent on communication between the clinician and the pathologist. We recommend that office-based procedures be done early in treatment so that subsequent efforts can be directed toward providing appropriate therapies.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND: The cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis can be the most prominent finding and are often difficult to treat. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether low-dose methotrexate administered weekly in combination with other systemic therapies or as a sole systemic agent is effective in the treatment of the cutaneous disease in patients with dermatomyositis. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 13 patients who received oral methotrexate in doses ranging from 2.5 to 30 mg weekly. Their skin lesions had not been completely responsive to sunscreens, topical corticosteroids, oral prednisone, oral antimalarial therapy, and, in one patient each, chlorambucil and azathioprine. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, 4 of these 13 patients were free of all cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis, and another four had almost complete clearing. In the remaining five patients, methotrexate induced moderate clearing of their cutaneous lesions. In all patients, the addition of methotrexate allowed reduction or discontinuation of other therapies such as prednisone. All patients tolerated the methotrexate with minimal toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose oral methotrexate administered weekly is effective in treatment of the cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis and frequently enables a reduction or discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy.
Lupus erythematosus is a multisystem disorder. One of its defining features is oral ulceration. In addition to oral ulcers, cheilitis may occur. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder of exocrine glands that causes a decrease in salivary gland function. This results in symptoms of xerostomia, which can be complicated by caries. Scleroderma has rare oral manifestations, which include a decrease in the maximal oral aperture and mat-like telangiectasias.
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In summary, patients with cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus should be treated with sunscreens, topical and intralesional corticosteroids, and anti-malarials as standard therapy. The choice of alternative therapy is personal, and discussions of the risks and benefits should be carefully documented. Successful therapy for cutaneous LE is possible in almost all well-motivated, cooperative patients.
The antiphospholipid antibody (APS) syndrome is characterized by antiphospholipid antibodies (lupus anticoagulant [LA] or anticardiolipin [aCL], a recurrent arterial and venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, and thrombocytopenia. Pulmonary hemorrhage is an unusual complication. We describe a 32-year-old woman with a history of recurrent pulmonary hemorrhage and transient renal dysfunction. Her original diagnosis was Goodpasture's syndrome, and she was treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Necrosing livedo reticularis of the legs subsequently developed. The presence of aCL and LA in the patient's serum, the finding of noninflammatory microthrombi in the dermal capillaries, and the lack of laboratory or pathologic features of Goodpasture's syndrome, confirmed a diagnosis of APS in this patient.
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BACKGROUND: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) may fail to respond to corticosteroids. Immunosuppressive and cytotoxic agents are useful in patients with recalcitrant disease. We describe our experiences with chlorambucil for PG. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral chlorambucil in patients with PG recalcitrant to treatment with prednisone, immunosuppressive therapy, or both. METHODS: Six patients with recalcitrant PG were given oral chlorambucil 2 to 4 mg/day. Four patients were treated with a combination of prednisone and chlorambucil, and two received chlorambucil alone. Response was based on (1) a diminution in the size of the ulcers, or their complete healing, or (2) a decrease in the dose of corticosteroid therapy. RESULTS: Beneficial effects were noted within 6 to 8 weeks in all six patients, and corticosteroids were eventually discontinued in all patients. Currently only two patients are still receiving chlorambucil; the other four stopped chlorambucil after 6 to 24 months of treatment. Their disease has remained in remission for 4 to 9 years. Relapse of disease occurred within 1 to 4 months after stopping therapy in one of the two remaining patients or reducing the dose in the other. In both patients, the disease is again responding to treatment. Minimal chlorambucil toxicity has been noted, consisting of leukopenia in one patient. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that chlorambucil is an effective corticosteroid-sparing agent for the control of PG.
Urticaria and angioedema are common processes that are experienced by 15% to 25% of the population at least once during a lifetime. This article presents an overview of urticaria and angioedema with emphasis on these processes as they relate to rheumatic disease. Discussion includes classification of urticaria and angioedema and recommended evaluation and treatment of patients presenting with such problems.