Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

T F Anderson

Publications and source records attributed to T F Anderson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of fish oil and low-dose UVB in the treatment of psoriasis.

Since eicosanoids have been implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, less potent eicosanoid mediators derived from fish oil might improve psoriasis. Using a double-blind, randomized, parallel design, 18 patients with stable, plaque psoriasis received capsules of either fish oil or identical-appearing placebo olive oil for 15 weeks, with concomitant sub-erythemal UVB in weeks 3 to 11. At the conclusion of phototherapy, and 4 weeks later, patients in the fish oil group had a greater decrease in the total body surface area of psoriasis and more improvement compared to patients in the olive oil group. The improvement in the fish oil group was statistically significantly greater for all parameters compared to the change in the olive oil group. The apparent safety and general health-promoting features of fish oil could provide an ideal adjunctive therapy for psoriasis.

Adult

Meclofenomate inhibition of UV-induced erythema--a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Systemic intradermal and topical inhibitors of eicosanoid synthesis have been shown to decrease the intensity delay the onset of erythema produced with a single exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. We studied the effect of single and multiple doses of meclofenomate on erythema induced by single and multiple doses of UV light. Thirty Caucasian subjects took either meclofenomate 100 mg t.i.d. or matching placebo for 5 days, crossing over to the alternative for 5 more days after a 2-day washout period. A statistical analysis was made of erythema response immediately prior to the study and then on 8 successive days during the study. Analysis of single and multiple exposure data revealed a statistically significant inhibition of erythema from meclofenomate therapy as compared with placebo.

Adult

Cutaneous melanomas in patients treated with psoralens plus ultraviolet A. A case report and the experience of the PUVA Follow-up Study.

Psoralens plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy is widely used in the treatment of psoriasis and other cutaneous conditions. We present the case of a patient who developed a superficial spreading melanoma 3 years after first being treated with PUVA. The development of melanomas in patients receiving PUVA is reviewed. During 13,224 person-years of prospective follow-up of 1380 patients enrolled in the PUVA follow-up study, three melanomas were diagnosed, which does not differ significantly from the expected rate (relative risk = 1.5 with 90% confidence interval 0.3 to 7.3). However, considering the effects of PUVA on melanocytes and that the development of melanomas may have a long latent period, continued follow-up studies are indicated.

Adult

Psoralen photochemotherapy.

Psoralens and sunlight have been used by the Egyptians and Indians for hundreds of years for the treatment of vitiligo. The combination of oral psoralens and artificial ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy was approved for the management of severe psoriasis by the Food and Drug Administration in 1982. Since then PUVA therapy has been found to be an effective modality in the treatment of many cutaneous conditions. When properly administered, the major short-term side effects are minimal. The long-term side effects may include an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, atypical cutaneous pigmentation, accelerated skin aging, and ophthalmologic abnormalities. By careful patient selection and limiting the cumulative UVA dosage and frequency by using combinations or alternative therapies, these side effects may be reduced. Continued reporting of carefully carried out long-term prospective studies will provide us with more knowledge of the long-term side effects of PUVA. In the meantime, for each patient on PUVA therapy the risk/benefit ratio should be carefully considered.

Combined Modality Therapy

Effect of continued ultraviolet B phototherapy on the duration of remission of psoriasis: a randomized study.

Phototherapy using sunburn spectrum ultraviolet radiation (UVB) is now a frequently utilized treatment for psoriasis that is extensive or has not responded to topical preparations. Four university centers performed a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare remission times of patients with psoriasis who continued UVB phototherapy after initial clearing with this therapy and patients whose UVB phototherapy was discontinued within 3 weeks of clearing. As assessed by life table methods, the time to flare after initial clearing for patients on UVB maintenance therapy was significantly longer than for patients who discontinued UVB within 3 weeks after initial clearing. Our data suggest that continuing UVB phototherapy after initial clearing contributes to the duration of disease control and is justified for many patients.

Actuarial Analysis

Artificial light sources.

A wide variety of artificial light sources exists for use in the diagnosis and treatment of photosensitivity disorders. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these light sources (including gas discharge arcs, fluorescent lamps, and other apparatus) illustrates the importance of matching the emission spectrum of the light source, the spectral response of the radiometer, and the photobiologic action spectrum. Environmental and occupational exposure to artificial light sources may contribute to photosensitivity disorders.

Carbon

Plantar fibromatosis responds to intralesional steroids.

A case of plantar fibromatosis that responded to five monthly intralesional steroid injections is reported. Improvement was noted after 3 to 4 months of therapy. Intralesional steroid injections may represent an alternative to surgery in patients with plantar fibromatosis or Dupuytren's contractures.

Drug Therapy, Combination

Recurrent granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia. Wells' syndrome.

A 27-year-old woman developed a chronic, recurrent eruption of the face and upper extremities with the clinical and histopathologic features of recurrent granulomatous dermatitis with eosinophilia (Wells' syndrome). As described in 15 previously reported cases, this disorder is characterized by two clinical phases (eosinophilic cellulitis and granulomatous plaque phase) and three histopathologic stages. The latter are particularly remarkable for a diffuse dermal and subcutaneous eosinophilia in acute lesions and scattered flame figures in chronic lesions. Distinctive findings in this case were the predominance of facial involvement and the symptomatic response to topical corticosteroids. Although etiology and pathogenesis are unknown, we feel that Wells' syndrome is a unique yet rarely recognized clinicopathologic entity.

Adult

UV-B phototherapy. An overview.

The medical uses of nonionizing electromagnetic radiation have changed over time with light source technology and research in photobiology. Multiple UV light phototherapy protocols have been developed. A discussion of the relative importance of light sources with respect to the action spectrum for psoriasis phototherapy, as well as the need for tar and other adjuvants, is important to the understanding of a comparison between various regimens. A number of skin conditions other than psoriasis are also responsive to UV light phototherapy.

Administration, Topical

Subcutaneous alternariosis.

Alternaria species are common plant pathogens, but a rare cause of human infection. Previously reported cases of cutaneous alternariosis (Alternaria alternata) in both healthy and immunosuppressed hosts have been characterized by a chronic localized ulcerative eruption in exposed sites. Dermal granulomatous infiltration and variable epidermal changes, with hyphae in both the dermis and epidermis, are characteristic. We present a case with certain unique features. This is the first reported human infection with Alternaria dianthicola. In addition, our patient showed the unusual presentation of clinically noninflammatory subcutaneous nodules of the chest wall. The subcutaneous location of the granulomatous process may have been attributable to deep traumatic inoculation. The circumscribed nodular quality of the infection allowed a surgical therapeutic approach.

Alternaria

Decreased urinary polyamines in patients with psoriasis treated with etretinate.

Oral administration of the aromatic retinoid etretinate is effective therapy for psoriasis and other epidermal hyperproliferative disorders. Since polyamine metabolism is known to be important in cell growth and differentiation, we measured urinary levels of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine as a reflection of cutaneous polyamine metabolism in 19 psoriatic patients treated with etretinate for 16 weeks. Using thin-layer chromatography, polyamine determinations were performed on urine collected pretherapy, during therapy, and 8 weeks after therapy was concluded. Good to excellent clearing of psoriasis occurred in 18 of 19 patients. All urinary polyamines showed a downward trend in the first week of therapy, prior to significant clinical improvement. At week 16 of therapy, the greatest reduction in mean urinary polyamine content occurred. Mean putrescine levels decreased from pretherapy to week 16 by 27% (p less than 0.001), mean spermidine values fell by 34% (p less than 0.001), and mean spermine levels declined by 37% (p = 0.005). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that etretinate inhibits polyamine biosynthesis.

Adult

Pigmented purpuric lichenoid dermatitis of Gougerot-Blum mimicking Kaposi's sarcoma.

A case of pigmented purpuric lichenoid dermatitis of Gougerot-Blum is presented and the pertinent literature is reviewed. This case is unusual in that the lesions were unilateral and very limited in extent. The patient presented with a localized pigmented purpuric eruption of plaques on the dorsum of one foot which mimicked Kaposi's sarcoma. However, a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pigmented purpuric lichenoid dermatitis of Gougerot-Blum.

Adult

Psoriasis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Administration, Topical

Etretinate therapy stimulates deposition of mucus-like material in epidermis of patients with psoriasis.

During therapy for psoriasis with the oral aromatic retinoid etretinate, a finely granular material was detected by electron microscopic examination of the epidermis of ten patients. Since this amorphous substance has some of the ultrastructural characteristics of mucin, it is called mucus-like material (MLM). MLM occurs occasionally in untreated psoriatic lesions; however, its deposition is enhanced by etretinate therapy. While MLM has not been fully characterized, evidence exists for the possibilities that it represents either cell products (such as mucin, or carbohydrates associated with the cell surface) or an exudate infiltrating the epidermis.

Etretinate

Etretinate therapy causes increases in lipid levels in patients with psoriasis.

We investigated changes in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels during etretinate administration in 21 patients with psoriasis. Mean serum triglyceride and cholesterol values showed a statistically significant increase during etretinate therapy compared with placebo treatment; mean HDLC levels did not change. During etretinate therapy, elevations out of the normal range occurred in 77% of the patients for serum triglycerides and 25% for serum cholesterol. Eight weeks after discontinuation of the drug regimen, patients' mean serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were not statistically different from those found prior to therapy. Nevertheless, eight weeks after therapy had been stopped, six (32%) of 19 patients had cholesterol values that were still 20% or more above their baseline levels; the prolonged etretinate excretion time could have been responsible. The mechanisms for the etretinate-induced lipid elevations are unknown.

Adult