Svefntruflanir algengari hjá sjúklingum með psoriasisgikt

Psoriatic arthritis may be strongly associated with sleep disturbance, study indicates.

MedWire

(1/30, McDermid) reports, "The presence of psoriatic arthritis is the factor most strongly associated with sleep disturbance in patients with psoriasis," according to a study published in the

Journal of the American College of Dermatology

. For the study, Kristina Callis Duffin, of the University of Utah, and colleagues, examined "the responses of 420 psoriasis patients to a questionnaire." They found that "about half of the patients said that psoriasis had interfered with their sleep during the past month, with 10.5 percent reporting more than 15 disturbed nights." Notably, "a history of psoriatic arthritis increased the likelihood of sleep disturbance 3.26 fold after accounting for confounders." Among other factors that were "significantly associated with sleep disturbance were itching, pain and soreness, and psoriasis having an emotional impact." The authors point out that their work is of note because "sleep deprivation is considered a public health threat, as daytime fatigue and sleepiness contribute to lost productivity, workplace and driving accidents, and risk of depression." Therefore, "physicians treating patients with psoriatic disease need to incorporate this life-altering comorbidity into their assessment of disease and selection of treatment."

Alvarleiki psoriais tengdur offitu

Study indicates obesity may be linked to severity of psoriasis symptoms.

MedWire

(1/23, McDermid) reported that the results of a study published in the

Journal of Dermatological Science

"strengthen the link between obesity and severity of psoriasis symptoms." In the study, patients' Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) "scores correlated positively with...three measures of obesity," body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and visceral adiposity. Notably, they found "the strongest correlation" in visceral adiposity. The researchers wrote that "increased visceral adiposity increases the secretion of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, which might play an important role on the induction and the maintenance of psoriasis."

Sjö gen tengd við psoriasis

Seven genes may play a role in psoriasis, study suggests.

AFP

(1/26) reports, "Scientists in the United States have pointed the finger at seven genes that appear to play a role in psoriasis," according to a study published online in the journal

Nature Genetics

. James Elder, professor of dermatology, University of Michigan, and colleagues, "cast a net through the genetic codes of 1,409 people with psoriasis and 1,436 healthy counterparts of European ancestry, looking for telltale variations in key genes." The researchers "then expanded the study to look at 21 of the most interesting DNA 'hotspots' among an additional 5,048 cases of psoriasis and 5,041 'controls.' Variations in at least seven genes point to the risk of an uncontrolled immune response that leads to psoriasis," the researchers said.
        "No single gene or gene variation is responsible for the disease,"

BBC News

(1/26) adds, "instead, scientists believe that a number of variations, working in concert, perhaps in combination with a triggering factor such as illness, could produce the condition." Patients "with a family history of psoriasis are much more prone to developing it themselves, and the genetic 'hotspots' identified by these research teams could eventually lead to ways to work out who is most likely to do this."
     

Óregluleg sólun kann að auka líkur húðkrabbameinum

ntermittent sun exposure may increase lifetime risks of certain skin cancers, research suggests.

In the

USA Today

(1/26) Your Health column, Kim Painter writes that "intermittent sun exposure" is what vacationers usually experience on holiday. Yet, a "history of such brief, intense sun blasts appears to raise lifetime risks of certain skin cancers, especially the most dangerous type, melanoma, says Marianne Berwick, an epidemiologist at the University of New Mexico." In fact, "those vacation sun soaks may be more dangerous than the constant, daily sun exposure that a farmer or construction worker gets." While the "relationship between skin cancers and sun exposure is complex and riddled with controversy," the "theory that a holiday sun blast carries special risk is gaining ground," and "one compelling recent study...found that young, white English women who had vacationed in hotter countries had more moles than women who had not." Furthermore, investigators "found excess moles were concentrated on the trunk and legs -- areas less likely to get the everyday English sun."

Lasermeðferð getur læknað psoriasisbletti sem önnur meðferð bítur ekki á

Article explains how laser therapy may help some patients with psoriasis.

The

Chicago Tribune

(1/22, Channick) reports that for patients with psoriasis who are tired of "slathering on ointments and taking powerful drugs," laser therapy can zap the condition "into submission." Dermatologist Giulio Leone, M.D., "whose practice has specialized in psoriasis for nearly four decades," says that he "has seen dramatic results in clearing the stubborn patches associated with the skin disorder," with the "majority of patients" getting "about 75...to 80 percent improvement." The treatment works by "concentrating UV light into a beam" to "target problem areas while avoiding overexposure." The device Dr. Leone uses is "manufactured by PhotoMedex" and "resembles a three-foot box on wheels with a wand attached to deliver the light energy." Still, according to Dr. Leone, "its precision makes it cumbersome for widespread psoriasis." This spring, "a more powerful model" is set "to debut," and "should help patients who have psoriasis on up to 20 percent of their body surfaces."

Lasermeðferð getur læknað psoriasisbletti sem önnur meðferð bítur ekki á

Article explains how laser therapy may help some patients with psoriasis.

The

Chicago Tribune

(1/22, Channick) reports that for patients with psoriasis who are tired of "slathering on ointments and taking powerful drugs," laser therapy can zap the condition "into submission." Dermatologist Giulio Leone, M.D., "whose practice has specialized in psoriasis for nearly four decades," says that he "has seen dramatic results in clearing the stubborn patches associated with the skin disorder," with the "majority of patients" getting "about 75...to 80 percent improvement." The treatment works by "concentrating UV light into a beam" to "target problem areas while avoiding overexposure." The device Dr. Leone uses is "manufactured by PhotoMedex" and "resembles a three-foot box on wheels with a wand attached to deliver the light energy." Still, according to Dr. Leone, "its precision makes it cumbersome for widespread psoriasis." This spring, "a more powerful model" is set "to debut," and "should help patients who have psoriasis on up to 20 percent of their body surfaces."

Psoriasissjúklingar leita í auknum mæli eftir upplýsingum á netinu

Research indicates online communities may provide education, support to some patients with psoriasis.

MedPage Today

(1/19, Neale) reported that, according to a study published in the Jan. issue of the

Archives of Dermatology

, "online communities" may provide patients with psoriasis "an important source of education and psychological and social support." For the study, researchers from the Center for Connected Health and Harvard University assessed "the usefulness of online support groups" by administering "a 29-item Web-based questionnaire to 260 patients who participated in one of five active online forums." The majority of the participants "(73.7 percent) reported having moderate-to-severe psoriasis." The investigators found that 86.5 percent of the participants "cited the Internet" as a source of "useful support." Among "key factors influencing the respondents' use of the online groups were availability of resources (95.3 percent), convenience (94 percent), access to good advice (91 percent), and the lack of embarrassment in dealing with personal issues (90.8 percent)." In addition, 73.9 percent cited "anonymity...as an important factor."

Von á lyfseðilsskyldu lyfi sem lengir augnahár

Allergan plans to introduce prescription eyelash enhancer

On its front page, the

New York Times

(1/14, A1, Singer) reports that, at the end of this month, Allergan "plans to introduce Latisse (bimatoprost), the first federally approved prescription drug for growing longer, lusher lashes." Latisse "has the same formula as Allergan's eye drops for glaucoma, called Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic)," which is a prostaglandin analog "meant to reduce dangerous pressure in the eyeball." One of bimatoprost's side effects is "to make the eyelashes of many patients longer and fuller." Now, "some medical experts say they worry that cosmetic customers may occasionally experience some of the glaucoma drug's other side effects, which can include red, itchy eyes and changes in eyelid pigmentation." Meanwhile, "some financial analysts...wonder how many people will want to spend $120 for a monthly dose of lash-lengthening Latisse." Nevertheless, "Allergan plans to introduce Latisse this month primarily to cosmetic doctors like dermatologists, but declined to discuss marketing plans."

Húðlæknar leggja áherslu á eftirlit hjá öllum sem hafa greinst með húðkrabbamein

Physician discusses importance of regular, thorough skin cancer checks.

In a syndicated column in the

Denver Post

(1/12), dermatologist Kenneth A. Arndt, M.D., of the Harvard Health Letter Editorial Board, wrote about the importance of regular, thorough skin cancer checks, particularly for people who have already had an incidence of skin cancer. According to National Cancer Institute guidelines, "basal cell patients should be examined every six months for five years and annually thereafter." During these examinations, which should take about 10 to 15 minutes, physicians "should be looking for signs of squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma, too." Dr. Arndt said that "the doctor should examine not just the sun-exposed areas, but the entire body, including the back, the scalp, and between the toes, because melanoma can first appear in areas not exposed to the sun." In addition, "the skin near the genitals and anus should...be inspected."

Húðlæknar leggja áherslu á notkun rakakrema

Dermatologists explain how skin is body's safety net.

On its website,

KABC-TV

(1/12, Dador) Los Angeles, an ABC affiliate, reported in its Healthy Living column that skin is the body's "safety net," and "when the barrier is functioning properly, skin cells are plump and hydrated, forming a tight seal" which "helps fight off allergens and prevents infection." But, should the barrier become "damaged in any way...cells will de-hydrate." Dermatologist Richard Fried, M.D., explained that when "skin begins to separate and shrink," gaps are created through which "irritants, allergens, and infectious material can freely penetrate," including "staph and herpes simplex. A damaged skin seal can also inflame existing conditions like psoriasis, acne, and eczema." Dermatologist Ranella Hirsch, M.D., suggested that patients not "use any products that strip the skin." Dr. Fried recommended using moisturizers with ceramides, which "are natural components...of our skin that allow the skin to stay hydrated or moisturized, and allow the skin to function well."

Fréttinni fylgir áhugavert myndband um hvernig rétt notkun rakakrema getur verndað húðina fyrir utanaðkomandi áreitum.

Ástralir setja reglur um sólbaðsstofur

South Australia to regulate tanning salons more stringently.

Australia's

The Advertiser

(1/9, Shepherd) reports that, according to a study published the Dec. issue of

Health Promotion Journal of Australia

, researchers found that nearly "all South Australian (SA) tanning salons breach their own standards by letting pale people use sunbeds."  For the study, investigators from the Cancer Council SA conducted "a secret shopper-style survey" in 2006, and found that "six out of 10" tanning "centers let underaged clients in," just "half asked clients to sign a consent form," and "more than nine out of 10 allowed access to fair-skinned clients."  In 2007, "voluntary standards dictating who should be able to use beds were made mandatory.  This year," however, "tougher regulation that requires solarium operators to be licensed will come into effect" in South Australia, in which licenses will be granted to tanning salons depending "on competence and knowledge of the dangers of" ultraviolet exposure.

Húðkrabbamein kunna að auka líkur á öðrum krabbameinum

Study indicates having skin cancer may double risk of developing other forms of cancer.

The U.K.'s

Telegraph

(1/7, Devlin) reports that, according to a study published in the

British Journal of Cancer

, "having skin cancer doubles the risk of being with diagnosed with some other forms of cancer," especially "another type of skin cancer or lung cancer." For the study, researchers from Queen's University in Northern Ireland examined data on "1,837 people treated for melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, and 20,823 treated for non-melanoma skin cancer between 1993 and 2002." Analysis revealed that, "compared with the general population, those with non-melanoma skin cancer were almost twice as likely to go on to develop melanoma," and "were also 57 percent more likely to go on to develop another type of cancer." Patients with "melanoma were also more than twice as likely to develop another form of cancer."
        According to the U.K.'s

Press Association

(1/7), "melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer." In the U.K. every year, "more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with it, and more than 2,000 people die." The U.K.'s

Mirror

(1/7, Cook) also covers the story.

Fleri rannsóknir staðfesta tengsl psoriasis við hjartasjúkdóma

Patients with psoriasis may face increased risk of CAD, research suggests.

Medscape

/HeartWire (1/5, Nainggolan) reported that research published in the Dec. 15 issue of the

American Journal of Cardiology

reiterates "the increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) observed in patients with the inflammatory skin disease psoriasis -- particularly those with severe forms," and stresses that "patients must be informed of this link and have their cardiovascular risk factors regularly assessed." According to Medscape, the "catalyst for this new report was a case-control study performed using the U.K.'s General Practice Research Database," conducted by dermatologist Joel M Gelfand, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues, that was published in the

Journal of the American Medical Association

. This study suggested that "patients with psoriasis have a significantly increased risk of" myocardial infarction "independent of traditional" cardiovascular "risk factors."

Hárlenging getur valdið varanlegum skalla

Using hair extensions may result in permanent bald patches, dermatologists say.

The U.K.'s

Daily Mail

(1/1, Hagan) reported that, according to research published in the

British Journal of Dermatology

, "women who use hair extensions risk developing permanent bald patches, skin experts have warned." In fact, "some women start to lose their hair within a week of having false strands fitted." Some dermatologist say that "the extensions, which are attached to a person's real hair by glue, weaving, or braiding, put such tension on follicles in the scalp that they can become inflamed, causing hair to fall out -- a condition known as traction alopecia." This can result in "permanent bald spots, because the damage to follicles is irreversible." In their study, dermatologists from the University of Miami and Italy's Bologna University found that "even women who had no visible signs of hair loss after wearing extensions had considerable underlying damage to the scalp when examined more closely."