Topical corticosteroids and risk of diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Contact Dermatitis in the United States: A Population-Based Study on Patient Visit Characteristics and Treatment Prescription Patterns

Background: Contact dermatitis (CD) affects ∼15% of the general population over a lifetime. However, there is a lack of epidemiological studies on treatment patterns for CD. Objective: We aim to analyze the patient characteristics and prescribing patterns among dermatologists and general practitioners (GPs) (internal medicine [IM] and family medicine [FM]) for CD in the United States. Methods: We conducted a population-based study using the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Results: We identified 178,017,680 weighted patient visits for CD from 2001 to 2016. Dermatologists saw more white and non-Hispanic patients than GPs. GPs were less likely to prescribe ultrahigh potency topical corticosteroids (FM OR 0.27; P < 0.001, IM OR 0.41; P < 0.001) and more likely to prescribe oral antihistamines (FM OR 3.71; P < 0.001, IM OR 3.56; P < 0.001), oral corticosteroids (FM OR 5.35; P < 0.001, IM OR 6.87; P < 0.001), and injectable corticosteroids (FM OR 3.42; P = 0.006, IM OR 5.68; P < 0.001) than dermatologists. Conclusions: Across CD visits, GPs were less likely than dermatologists to prescribe ultrahigh potency topical corticosteroids and more likely than dermatologists to prescribe oral antihistamines and systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Efficacy and safety of wet cupping in the treatment of neurodermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Neurodermatitis is a chronic skin condition characterized by intense itching and skin thickening due to neurological dysfunction. Its persistent nature poses a challenge to effective treatment, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Wet cupping therapy is increasingly being used in clinics to manage neurodermatitis, so it is imperative to assess the evidence regarding its effectiveness and safety.

Objective

This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of wet cupping therapy in patients with neurodermatitis.

Methods and analysis

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating wet cupping for neurodermatitis were identified through searches of eight electronic databases and three clinical trial registration platforms from inception to March 2024, using predefined search terms. Included studies underwent quality appraisal using the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Assessment tool. The quality of evidence was assessed independently by two reviewers using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation System (GRADE). Meta-analysis and publication bias assessment were conducted using ReviewManager 5.4 and STATA 17.0 software, respectively.

Results

This review encompassed 19 studies, comprising 6 types of comparisons and involving 1,505 participants. The findings revealed no significant difference in the total effective rate between wet cupping alone and high-potency steroids (n = 269, RR = 1.13, 95% CI [0.90, 1.41], p = 0.29, I2 = 83%). However, wet cupping combined with medication or moxibustion exhibited superior efficacy compared to medication alone (n = 272, RR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.16, 1.41], p < 0.00001, I2 = 43%) and (n = 534, RR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.14, 1.30], p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). Wet cupping groups demonstrated lower recurrence rates (n = 266, RR = 0.31, 95% CI [0.16, 0.60], p = 0.0005, I2 = 0%) and a reduced incidence of adverse events (n = 673, RR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.21, 0.90], p = 0.02, I2 = 36%). Furthermore, wet cupping alone or combined with moxibustion effectively lowered the levels of inflammatory factors compared to medication: TNF-α (n = 120, MD = -6.99, 95% CI [-8.13, -5.85], p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%), IL-1β (n = 120, MD = -5.28, 95% CI [-6.91, -3.65], p < 0.00001, I2 = 48%), and IL-6 (n = 180, MD = -8.61, 95% CI [-13.24, -3.99], p = 0.0003, I2 = 81%).

Conclusion

The efficacy of wet cupping therapy is comparable to that of high-potency steroids. Its combined use with medication or moxibustion appears to enhance effectiveness, reduce recurrence rates, and improve safety. However, due to the overall low grade of evidence for the identified outcomes and poor methodological quality, caution is advised when interpreting and applying these findings in clinical practice.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero, identifier: CRD42024524398.

Dry Eye in Diabetes: The Indian Diabetic and Endocrine Eye Diseases (INDEED) Review

Dry eye disease (DED) is an inadequately addressed condition in the diabetes management process and can significantly impact the quality of life and self-care. Therefore, it was imperative to review DED in the diabetic population. The aim of this article was to obtain insights into the correlation between dry eye and diabetes, with a focus on data published in the Indian population. A comprehensive literature review was performed using MEDLINE and Google Scholar, along with an internet-based search of publicly available information and peer-reviewed publications that may not have been indexed in these databases. The recommendations from several important societies for patients with DED have also been reviewed. Major aspects commonly associated with DED and diabetes have been addressed, and specific suggestions for screening, diagnosis and treatment have been described. Therefore, this review could be an invaluable resource for doctors managing patients with both conditions.

Clinical and Laboratory Differences between Steroid-associated and Non-steroid-associated Rosacea: A Retrospective Study

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

Adrenal Insufficiency after Long-term use of Topical Glucocorticoids in Patients with Advanced Cutaneous T-cell Lymphomas: A Case Series

Abstract is missing (Short communication)

Glucocorticoid-Induced Hyperglycemia: A Neglected Problem

Glucocorticoids provide a potent therapeutic response and are widely used to treat a variety of diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. However, the issue of glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia (GIH), which is observed in over one-third of patients treated with glucocorticoids, is often neglected. To improve the clinical course and prognosis of diseases that necessitate glucocorticoid therapy, proper management of GIH is essential. The key pathophysiology of GIH includes systemic insulin resistance, which exacerbates hepatic steatosis and visceral obesity, as well as proteolysis and lipolysis of muscle and adipose tissue, coupled with β-cell dysfunction. For patients on glucocorticoid therapy, risk stratification should be conducted through a detailed baseline evaluation, and frequent glucose monitoring is recommended to detect the onset of GIH, particularly in high-risk individuals. Patients with confirmed GIH who require treatment should follow an insulin-centered regimen that varies depending on whether they are inpatients or outpatients, as well as the type and dosage of glucocorticoid used. The ideal strategy to maintain normoglycemia while preventing hypoglycemia is to combine basal-bolus insulin and correction doses with a continuous glucose monitoring system. This review focuses on the current understanding and latest evidence concerning GIH, incorporating insights gained from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treating the Side Effects of Exogenous Glucocorticoids; Can We Separate the Good From the Bad?

It is estimated that 2% to 3% of the population are currently prescribed systemic or topical glucocorticoid treatment. The potent anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticoids to deliver therapeutic benefit is not in doubt. However, the side effects associated with their use, including central weight gain, hypertension, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and osteoporosis, often collectively termed iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome, are associated with a significant health and economic burden. The precise cellular mechanisms underpinning the differential action of glucocorticoids to drive the desirable and undesirable effects are still not completely understood. Faced with the unmet clinical need to limit glucocorticoid-induced adverse effects alongside ensuring the preservation of anti-inflammatory actions, several strategies have been pursued. The coprescription of existing licensed drugs to treat incident adverse effects can be effective, but data examining the prevention of adverse effects are limited. Novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists and selective glucocorticoid receptor modulators have been designed that aim to specifically and selectively activate anti-inflammatory responses based upon their interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor. Several of these compounds are currently in clinical trials to evaluate their efficacy. More recently, strategies exploiting tissue-specific glucocorticoid metabolism through the isoforms of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase has shown early potential, although data from clinical trials are limited. The aim of any treatment is to maximize benefit while minimizing risk, and within this review we define the adverse effect profile associated with glucocorticoid use and evaluate current and developing strategies that aim to limit side effects but preserve desirable therapeutic efficacy.

Evaluation of the healing potential of Nile tilapia skin collagen in traumatic oral ulcers in male rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the healing potential of Nile tilapia skin collagen using a rat model with experimentally induced traumatic oral ulcers.

DESIGN

Male Wistar rats were segregated into three experimental groups (n = 8/group/euthanasia day). Ulcers were induced using a dermatological punch on the left buccal mucosa. The rats were then euthanized on days 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 (ntotal=120 rats). Each group received topical treatment, 2x/day, with 1 % Nile tilapia skin collagen orabase (experimental group), only orabase (negative control), or Oncilom-A® orabase (positive control). Ulcer area, closure percentage, and body mass variation were measured. Slides were prepared for histological analysis, which included Picrosirius red staining (collagen analysis), and immunohistochemistry (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor-beta).

RESULTS

On day 15, the experimental and positive control groups displayed smaller ulcer areas, a higher percentage of closure, complete re-epithelialization, superior histological repair scores, and a reduced count of polymorphonuclear cells in comparison to the negative control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the experimental group exhibited an increased number of blood vessels, total collagen (types I and III) and expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and transforming growth factor-beta relative to the negative and positive control groups (p < 0.05). By day 20, the experimental group showed a more significant weight gain compared to the other groups (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Nile tilapia skin collagen orabase optimizes the healing of traumatic ulcers by stimulating re-epithelialization, angiogenesis, and collagenesis. Transforming growth factor-beta plays a significant role in this process.

Topical Glucocorticoid Use and the Risk of Posttransplant Diabetes

Systemically administered glucocorticoids constitute an essential part of the immunosuppressive regimen for transplant recipients, yet their known risks of causing hyperglycemia or posttransplant diabetes require close monitoring and minimisation of use, when possible, to prevent detrimental effects on patient morbidity and graft survival. Topical glucocorticoids, on the other hand, are rarely considered to affect glucose metabolism and therefore seldomly monitored, despite their wide and in some cases, long-term use. We report a case of a renal transplant recipient presenting with acute hyperosmolar hyperglycemia after treatment with topical glucocorticoids and present a mini review of the literature.

Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Antipruritic Drugs in the Control of the Most Frequent Pruritic Skin Diseases in Dogs

Pruritus is a common clinical sign in many skin disorders and is currently the main complaint in canine dermatology. Pruritic skin diseases can affect the quality of life of dogs and their owners. Several families of antipruritic drugs are available to help control pruritus in dogs. The aim of this review is to help practitioners select the most appropriate symptomatic treatment in the most frequent situations of dermatological pruritus in dogs. The molecules reviewed here are systemic and topical glucocorticoids, antihistamines, ciclosporin, oclacitinib and lokivetmab. A level of evidence (1, 2 or 3) has been established according to a detailed algorithm for each individual study in the literature published between 1990 and March 2021. The guidelines result from evidence grading using the strength of recommendation taxonomy (SoRT) and clinical recommendations using a thorough methodology.

Xenobiotic-Induced Aggravation of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), which is often linked to obesity, encompasses a large spectrum of hepatic lesions, including simple fatty liver, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Besides nutritional and genetic factors, different xenobiotics such as pharmaceuticals and environmental toxicants are suspected to aggravate MAFLD in obese individuals. More specifically, pre-existing fatty liver or steatohepatitis may worsen, or fatty liver may progress faster to steatohepatitis in treated patients, or exposed individuals. The mechanisms whereby xenobiotics can aggravate MAFLD are still poorly understood and are currently under deep investigations. Nevertheless, previous studies pointed to the role of different metabolic pathways and cellular events such as activation of de novo lipogenesis and mitochondrial dysfunction, mostly associated with reactive oxygen species overproduction. This review presents the available data gathered with some prototypic compounds with a focus on corticosteroids and rosiglitazone for pharmaceuticals as well as bisphenol A and perfluorooctanoic acid for endocrine disruptors. Although not typically considered as a xenobiotic, ethanol is also discussed because its abuse has dire consequences on obese liver.

The Role of Mohs Surgery in Cutaneous Head and Neck Cancer

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) represents an excellent means to address basal cell carcinoma and some squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) of the head and neck region, achieving excellent outcomes with respect to local recurrence rates and disease-specific survival. MMS by virtue of its technique maximally preserves uninvolved tissues of the head and neck, thereby maintaining form, cosmesis, and function to the greatest extent as dictated by the disease. However, the application of MMS for managing high-risk cSCC and melanoma requires additional investigation. MMS may also prove beneficial in treating rare cutaneous diseases such as Merkel cell carcinoma and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.

Management of chronic hand and foot eczema. An Australia/New Zealand Clinical narrative

Chronic hand/foot eczemas are common, but treatment is often challenging, with widespread dissatisfaction over current available options. Detailed history is important, particularly with regard to potential exposure to irritants and allergens. Patch testing should be regarded as a standard investigation. Individual treatment outcomes and targets, including systemic therapy, should be discussed early with patients, restoring function being the primary goal, with clearing the skin a secondary outcome. Each new treatment, where appropriate, should be considered additive or overlapping to any previous therapy. Management extends beyond mere pharmacological or physical treatment, and requires an encompassing approach including removal or avoidance of causative factors, behavioural changes and social support. To date, there is little evidence to guide sequences or combinations of therapies. Moderately symptomatic patients (e.g. DLQI ≥ 10) should be started on a potent/super-potent topical corticosteroid applied once or twice per day for 4 weeks, with tapering to twice weekly application. If response is inadequate, consider phototherapy, and then a 12-week trial of a retinoid (alitretinoin or acitretin). Second line systemic treatments include methotrexate, ciclosporin and azathioprine. For patients presenting with severe symptomatic disease (DLQI ≥ 15), consider predniso(lo)ne 0.5-1.0 mg/kg/day (or ciclosporin 3 - 5 mg/kg/day) for 4-6 weeks with tapering, and then treating as for moderate disease as above. In non-responders, botulinum toxin and/or iontophoresis, if associated with hyperhidrosis, may sometimes help. Some patients only respond to long-term systemic corticosteroids. The data on sequencing of newer agents, such as dupilumab or JAK inhibitors, are immature.

Reduced risk of suicidal behaviours associated with the treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa with tumour necrosis factor alpha antagonists: results from the US FDA Adverse Events Reporting System pharmacovigilance database

BACKGROUND

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, recurrent condition that presents as painful, suppurating lesions in the apocrine gland-bearing skin regions. HS has been associated with increased suicidal behaviours (SB), independent of any treatment. TNF-alpha antagonists are used to treat moderate-to-severe HS and have also been associated with SB, a factor that could confound the decision to use the TNF-α antagonists in the moderately to severely affected HS patients, who may already be experiencing increased SB risk.

OBJECTIVES

To determine presence or absence of a safety signal for SB when HS is treated with TNF-α antagonists.

METHODS

We calculated the reporting odds ratios (ROR) with 95% CI of SB associated with treatment for HS with TNF-α antagonists vs. the reference group of all other treatments for HS in the US Food and Drug Administration pharmacovigilance database from 1 January 2004 to 31 March 2019. A second analysis excluded isotretinoin (which has been used to treat HS and has also been associated with SB) from the reference group.

RESULTS

There was a signal for decreased risk of SB with TNF-α antagonists (ROR = 0.1959, 95% CI 0.1247-0.3079; z = 7.071, P < 0.0001] vs. all other HS treatments; the ROR did not change significantly after isotretinoin was excluded from the reference group.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of HS with TNF-α antagonists is associated with a decreased risk of SB.