Association between metabolic syndrome and prevalent skin diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies

Autologous adipose tissue injection in the treatment of alopecia: A mini-review

BACKGROUND

Alopecia may decrease patients' quality of life and self-confidence by limiting their social life. Therefore, the main goal of the treatment is to limit or halt the progression of inflammation, scarring, and hair loss. The promising effect of fat injection on hair regrowth, limited adverse effects, and subsiding inflammation can be proof of its efficacy and safety in treating alopecia.

AIMS

This review sought to assess the role of autologous fat tissue injection in scarring and non-scarring alopecia.

METHODS

Accordingly, a thorough search was performed on the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed/Medline databases, as well as the Google Scholar search engine, for studies published from inception until September 1st, 2023, using the related keywords.

RESULTS

Autologous fat grafting (AFG) is a novel and potentially effective modality for treating alopecia, particularly primary and secondary cicatricial alopecia. AFG can be an effective semi-invasive option for treating refractory lichen planopilaris because it induces angiogenesis, which supports hair regrowth. In addition to cicatricial alopecia, AFG held promise for treating non-scarring alopecia, including androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. The adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) in adipose tissue (AT) secrete different growth factors, further supporting hair regeneration. Moreover, different anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative agents are known in AT, preventing further damage to hair follicles.

CONCLUSIONS

AFG can significantly control inflammatory processes, improve signs and symptoms, and increase hair density and diameter.

Is seborrheic dermatitis associated with early-stage osteoarthritis?

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) and osteoarthritis involve similar factors in their pathogenesis. Both of these diseases are associated with an increased frequency of metabolic syndrome and underlying systemic inflammation. This study evaluated the thickness of the distal femoral cartilage using ultrasonography in patients with SD. The study enrolled 60 patients with SD (19 females and 41 males, mean age: 34.07 ± 12.56 years) and 60 controls matched for age and sex (20 females and 40 males, mean age: 35.08 ± 12.78 years). Ultrasonography was used to measure the distal femoral cartilage thickness (FCT) of the right medial condyle, right lateral condyle, right intercondylar area, left medial condyle, left lateral condyle, and left intercondylar area. FCT values at all points were significantly higher in patients with SD than in the controls (P < .05). Further, all FCT values were significantly higher in patients with moderate SD than in those with mild SD (P < .001). A strong positive correlation was observed between disease severity and FCT measured at right medial condyle (r = .7, P < .001), right lateral condyle (r = .749, P < .001), right intercondylar area (r = .79, P < .001), left medial condyle (r = .624, P < .001), and left intercondylar area (r = .703, P < .001). Further, a moderately positive correlation was observed between disease severity and FCT measured at left lateral condyle (r = .581, P < .001). Increased FCT in patients with SD might be an early indicator of osteoarthritis. However, further studies, especially those evaluating older patients with SD, are required to support our findings.

Evaluation surgical strategies in perianal fistulas treatment: Efficacy draining seton compared to other surgical approaches; a case-control study

Background and Aims

Perianal fistula is a prevalent anorectal condition originating from an infectious crypt extending to the external opening. Multiple surgical methods exist for treating perianal fistulas; however, selecting the appropriate options is still controversial. Our study aims to evaluate seton replacement versus other surgical methods in treating perianal fistula.

Methods

This study recruited 72 patients presenting with perianal discharge and diagnosed with perianal fistula through intra-sphincteric, trans-sphincteric, and supra-sphincteric examinations at Imam Reza and Besat Hospitals from July 2022 up to March 2023. Regarding case-control design, patients were divided into two groups: the first group (n = 36) underwent seton insertion, while the control group (n = 36) received alternative surgical methods. Follow-up was conducted for 1 month post-discharge, with monthly visits for 6 months. Patients were evaluated for fistula tract healing, seton loosening, and daily secretion rate (based on infected pads) during each visit. Finally, the two groups were compared in terms of improvement rates.

Results

In the seton group, approximately 94.4% of patients showed improvement. However, the difference between the groups was insignificant (p = 0.494). Seton replacement was performed in 52% of patients, with the majority requiring replacement twice (61%). Improvement rates were highest among cases with two seton replacements, although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.073). Following seton replacement, the most common treatment methods were endoanal flap and fistulotomy, with observed improvement in 10 cases for each procedure.

Conclusion

This study highlights that draining seton remains a primary choice for intermediate treatment due to its satisfactory improvement rate and lower requirement for replacement, especially up to two times.

A systematic review of Janus kinase inhibitors and spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitors for Hidradenitis suppurativa treatment

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a challenging skin disease with an underlying inflammatory process. Substantial progress has been made in our understanding of HS over the last few years, with the advancement of novel treatment approaches. The current systematic review aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitors in treating HS.

METHOD

A thorough systematic search was performed on PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Ovid Embase databases up to September 23th, 2023. Clinical studies published in English were included.

RESULTS

Our search yielded ten articles with a total of 165 patients treated with four types of JAK inhibitors (upadacitinib, povorcitinib, tofacitinib, and baricitinib) and one Syk inhibitor (fostamatinib). Upadacitinib, povorcitinib, and tofacitinib improved clinical outcomes, with a significant reduction in hidradenitis suppurativa clinical response (HiSCR) and abscess and inflammatory nodule count (AN count) during the treatment period. Also, these drugs are well tolerated in most HS patients with minimal adverse events (AEs). Moreover, baricitinib depicted an amelioration in signs and symptoms of HS in one case report. Also, fostamatinib exhibited favorable tolerability throughout a 12-week in moderate-to-severe HS patients. The remarkable clinical improvement, as assessed through HiSCR and hidradenitis suppurativa severity (IHS4), corresponded closely with serological indicators of inflammation following fostamatinib administration was achieved.

CONCLUSION

JAK and Syk inhibitors are potentially efficacious in managing moderate-to-severe HS since the proinflammatory cytokines are mediated by JAK and Syk signaling pathways. However, further research with a more rigorous examination is mandatory to evaluate such medication's long-term safety and efficacy.

Crossroads between Skin and Endocrine Glands: The Interplay of Lichen Planus with Thyroid Anomalies

In this narrative review, we aimed to overview the interplay between lichen planus (LP) and thyroid conditions (TCs) from a dual perspective (dermatologic and endocrine), since a current gap in understanding LP-TC connections is found so far and the topic is still a matter of debate. We searched PubMed from Inception to October 2023 by using the key terms "lichen planus" and "thyroid", (alternatively, "endocrine" or "hormone"). We included original clinical studies in humans according to three sections: LP and TC in terms of dysfunction, autoimmunity, and neoplasia. Six studies confirmed an association between the thyroid dysfunction (exclusively hypothyroidism) and LP/OL (oral LP); of note, only one study addressed cutaneous LP. The sample size of LP/OLP groups varied from 12-14 to 1500 individuals. Hypothyroidism prevalence in OLP was of 30-50%. A higher rate of levothyroxine replacement was identified among OLP patients, at 10% versus 2.5% in controls. The highest OR (odd ratio) of treated hypothyroidism amid OLP was of 2.99 (p < 0.005). Hypothyroidism was confirmed to be associated with a milder OLP phenotype in two studies. A single cohort revealed a similar prevalence of hypothyroidism in LP versus non-LP. Non-confirmatory studies (only on OLP, not cutaneous LP) included five cohorts: a similar prevalence of hypothyroidism among OLP versus controls, and a single cohort showed that the subjects with OLP actually had a lower prevalence of hypothyroidism versus controls (1% versus 4%). Positive autoimmunity in LP/OLP was confirmed in eight studies; the size of the cohorts varied, for instance, with 619 persons with LP and with 76, 92, 105, 108, 192, 247, and 585 patients (a total of 1405) with OLP, respectively; notably, the largest control group was of 10,441 individuals. Four clusters of approaches with respect to the autoimmunity in LP/OLP were found: an analysis of HT/ATD (Hashimoto's thyroiditis/autoimmune thyroid diseases) prevalence; considerations over the specific antibody levels; sex-related features since females are more prone to autoimmunity; and associations (if any) with the clinical aspects of LP/OLP. HT prevalence in OLP versus controls was statistically significantly higher, as follows: 19% versus 5%; 12% versus 6%; and 20% versus 9.8%. A single study addressing LP found a 12% rate of ATDs. One study did not confirm a correlation between OLP-associated clinical elements (and OLP severity) and antibody values against the thyroid, and another showed that positive TPOAb (anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies) was more often found in erosive than non-erosive OLP (68% versus 33%). Just the reverse, one cohort found that OLP subjects had a statistically significantly lower rate of positive TPOAb versus controls (9% versus 15%). Five case-control studies addressed the issue of levothyroxine replacement for prior hypothyroidism in patients that were diagnosed with OLP (no study on LP was identified); three of them confirmed a higher rate of this treatment in OLP (at 8.9%, 9.7%, and 10.6%) versus controls. In conclusion, with regard to LP/OLP-TC, we note several main aspects as practical points for multidisciplinary practitioners: OLP rather than LP requires thyroid awareness; when it comes to the type of thyroid dysfunction, mostly, hypothyroidism should be expected; female patients are more prone to be associated with ATDs; a potential higher ratio of OLP subjects taking levothyroxine was found, thus a good collaboration with an endocrinology team is mandatory; and so far, OLP individuals have not been confirmed to be associated with a higher risk of thyroid nodules/cancer.

Improvement in Cutaneous Conditions Can Benefit Some Health Conditions in the Elderly

As we are aging, a number of cutaneous and extracutaneous disorders will be developed. Although the pathogenesis of these aging-associated disorders is not clear yet, abnormalities in the skin are linked to some aging-associated disorders at least to some extent. Inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis predispose to the development of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and type 2 diabetes. In addition, both chronologically aged skin and individuals with some aging-associated systemic conditions display altered epidermal function, such as reduced stratum corneum hydration levels, which can provoke cutaneous inflammation. Because aged skin exhibits higher expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, which play a pathogenic role in a variety of aging-associated health condition, the association of the skin with some aging-associated disorders is likely mediated by inflammation. This postulation is supported by the evidence that improvement in either epidermal function or inflammatory dermatoses can mitigate some aging-associated disorders such as mild cognitive impairment and insulin sensitivity. This perspective discusses the association of the skin with aging-associated disorders and highlights the potential of improvement in cutaneous conditions in the management of some health conditions in the elderly.