Increased risk of systemic and cardiac sarcoidosis in Black patients with cutaneous sarcoidosis

Cardiodermatology: the heart of the connection between the skin and cardiovascular disease

The skin and cardiovascular systems are connected in unique and meaningful ways, and many diseases conventionally considered as being limited to one organ system are more closely related than previously believed. Major cardiovascular diseases and phenomena such as infective endocarditis, congestive heart failure, Kawasaki disease and thromboembolism are associated with specific skin findings, and advances in genetics, immunology and clinical epidemiology show that inflammatory dermatological diseases, such as psoriasis, have serious cardiovascular and cardiometabolic consequences. Additionally, commonly used cardiovascular therapies, such as antihypertensive medications, are associated with important cutaneous adverse effects, including photosensitivity, photocarcinogenesis and eczematous skin reactions. Moreover, systemic dermatological therapies, including retinoids, Janus kinase inhibitors and biologics, can alter the risk of cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. In this Review on cardiodermatology, we provide interdisciplinary insights from dermatology and cardiology that will be of practical use to both cardiologists and generalists who manage cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases in patients with dermatological findings or histories. We discuss specific skin findings associated with cardiovascular diseases to aid in diagnosis; important cutaneous adverse effects of common cardiovascular therapies, for the purpose of treatment monitoring; and the effect of dermatological diseases and dermatological treatment on cardiovascular risk.

Sarcoidosis-Specific Cutaneous Lesion Distribution in Clinical Assessment for Cardiac Sarcoidosis

This case series explores the association between sarcoidosis-specific cutaneous lesions and cardiac sarcoidosis.

Dermatology in black skin

The vast majority of publications in dermatology refer to lightly pigmented skin, with few addressing the peculiarities of black skin. In addition there is no consensus on what it means to be black in different regions of the world. The lack of knowledge on the subject makes it difficult to recognize and manage dermatoses in this type of skin. This article aims to review the literature on intrinsic characteristics, as well as epidemiological and clinical aspects of the cutaneous manifestations of different dermatoses in black skin. It was found that there are sometimes striking differences, in the structural, biological, and functional aspects when comparing lightly pigmented and black skin. There are also physiological changes that need to be recognized to avoid unnecessary interventions. Some dermatoses have a higher incidence in black skin, such as acne, eczema, dyschromia and dermatophytosis. On the other hand, several dermatoses are more specific to black skin, such as pseudofolliculitis barbae, keloid, dermatosis papulosa nigra, ulcers caused by sickle-cell anemia, dactylolysis spontanea, confluent and reticulated papillomatosis of Gougerot and Carteaud, and some diseases of the hair and scalp (including fragile and brittle hair, traction alopecia, folliculitis keloidalis nuchae, folliculitis dissecans and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia). A spectrum of peculiar aspects of specific dermatoses, including sarcoidosis, lichen planus (with emphasis on the pigmentosus variant), psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, vitiligo, syphilis, pityriasis versicolor, and neoplasms are highlighted. In the latter, characteristics of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are compared, in addition to highlighting unusual aspects of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, endemic Kaposi sarcoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

The Evolving Landscape of Cutaneous Sarcoidosis: Pathogenic Insight, Clinical Challenges, and New Frontiers in Therapy

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder of unknown etiology characterized by accumulation of granulomas in affected tissue. Cutaneous manifestations are among the most common extrapulmonary manifestations in sarcoidosis and can lead to disfiguring disease requiring chronic therapy. In many patients, skin disease may be the first recognized manifestation of sarcoidosis, necessitating a thorough evaluation for systemic involvement. Although the precise etiology of sarcoidosis and the pathogenic mechanisms leading to granuloma formation, persistence, or resolution remain unclear, recent research has led to significant advances in our understanding of this disease. This article reviews recent advances in epidemiology, sarcoidosis clinical assessment with a focus on the dermatologist's role, disease pathogenesis, and new therapies in use and under investigation for cutaneous and systemic sarcoidosis.