Leikjatölvur valda nýjum húðsjúkdómi

New skin disorder may be linked to gaming consoles, researchers say.

BBC News

(2/24) reported that "skin specialists" in Switzerland have identified a "new skin disorder caused by use of games consoles." In their paper appearing in the British Journal of Dermatology, investigators "outline the case of a 12-year-old girl who attended a Swiss hospital with intensely painful sores on the palms of her hands."
        Typically, the UK's

Press Association

(2/24) explained, "idiopathic eccrine hidradenitis," a skin disorder that produces red, sore lumps on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet," is "seen on the feet of children taking part in vigorous physical activity, such as jogging, and it is thought to be linked to intense sweating." So, initially, "doctors were puzzled" because the girl in question "had not been taking part in any sport or physical exercise." Her parents, however, "recalled that a few days before the sores appeared, she had started using her PlayStation gaming console for several hours a day."
        This led investigators to suspect "that tight and continuous grasping of the console's controls together with repeated pushing of the buttons caused the injuries to the girl's hands," the UK

Times

(2/25, Rose) notes. And, "stopping all console gaming for 10 days led to her making a full recovery."
        Offering further explanation, the UK's

Telegraph

(2/24, Smith) reported that lead author Behrooz Kasraee pointed out that while "most of the symptoms of this type of" video game "'addiction' are considered to be psychological...recently organic pathologies such as acute tendonitis, called Wiiitis, or video game-induced knuckle pads have been added to the list of video game-related pathologies." Now, their study adds one more to the list -- "PlayStation palmar hidradenitis."

Bandaríska lyfjastofnun sendir út viðvörun vegna Raptiva

FDA advises of serious adverse event with psoriasis biologic.

The

Wall Street Journal

(2/20, B3, Whalen, Dooren) reports that on Feb. 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) "warned that use of the" psoriasis drug Raptiva [efalizumab] "poses the risk of developing a rare and often fatal brain infection known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy" (PML).
        The

AP

(2/20, Perrone) points out that, according to the FDA, "three patients taking" Raptiva "are believed to have died of" PML, "a known risk with the skin-clearing treatment." On Thursday, the agency "confirmed three cases and a possible fourth of" PML, "which causes swelling of the brain and is usually fatal. All the cases were reported in the last six months." Notably, "the FDA

announcement

came the same day that" the European Medicines Agency "recommended a ban on marketing the drug," which is "marketed in Europe by Swiss drugmaker Merck Serono."
        "The FDA added a boxed warning, its strictest form of caution, to the prescribing information for Raptiva in October,"

Bloomberg News

(2/20, Olmos, Larkin) added. "The agency said it's reviewing the new information and 'will take appropriate steps to ensure that the risks of Raptiva do not outweigh its benefits.'" Meanwhile, "Genentech is 'working diligently with the FDA to put the right plans in place that will help protect patient safety,' said Tara Cooper, a spokeswoman for Genentech, in an email statement." Genentech "is 'evaluating all possible approaches to address the risk of PML with Raptiva use, including a risk minimization plan.'"
        Writing in the

Wall Street Journal

(2/19) Health Blog, Jacob Goldstein observed, "PML is the same disease that has been linked to the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri [natalizumab], sold by Biogen Idec and Elan." The condition is "caused by a typically harmless virus that almost everybody carries (often referred to as JC virus). In patients' whose immune system is weakened, the virus can attack the myelin, or white matter, that surrounds and protects brain cells. Both Tysabri and Raptiva affect the immune system."
        In the

Los Angeles Times

(2/19) Booster Shots blog, Melissa Healy wrote, "All four patients had been taking" Raptiva, "for more than three years." In its "presentation prepared for FDA in 2003, Genentech reported that 'ongoing therapy with Raptiva provides extended benefit, with no increase in adverse events as exposure is prolonged.' That is a claim that the FDA will likely explore, given that those patients who succumbed to" PML "had been on the medication for at least three years."
        According to the

San Francisco Business Times

(2/20, Leuty), "Raptiva was approved in October 2003 to treat chronic moderate to severe plaque psoriasis." At the time the drug was approved, "Raptiva treated 2,764 patients...but only 218 for more than one year." Among those patients, "there were no cases of PML at the time of its approval."
       

HealthDay

(2/19, Gardner) noted, "In its advisory, the FDA said it...'strongly recommends that healthcare professionals carefully monitor patients on Raptiva, as well as those who have discontinued the drug, for any signs or symptoms of neurologic disease, and that they periodically reassess the benefits of continued treatment.'" The advisory suggested that "patients should be aware of the symptoms of PML and contact their healthcare professionals immediately if they experience any such symptoms." Still, "outside experts" emphasized that, "though the news was serious, there was no reason to panic." Bruce Bebo, Jr., of the National Psoriasis Foundation, urged patients to consult with their physicians and "carefully weigh the risks and benefits of Raptiva."
       

WebMD

(2/19, Hitti) reports that symptoms of PML "may include unusual weakness, loss of coordination, changes in vision, difficulty speaking, and personality changes."
        "Last October, the FDA required Genentech to add boxed warning to highlight the risk of life-threatening infections, notably PML, but also including bacterial sepsis, viral meningitis, and invasive fungal disease,"

MedPage Today

(2/19, Fiore) explained. The

Irish Times

(2/20, Burke-Kennedy) and

Dermatology Times

/Modern Medicine (2/19) also covered the story.

Raptiva tekið af markaði vegna aukaverkana

PRESS RELEASE
European Medicines Agency recommends suspension of the marketing authorisation of Raptiva (efalizumab)

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended the suspension of the marketing authorisation for Raptiva (efalizumab), from Serono. The EMEA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has concluded that the benefits of Raptiva no longer outweigh its risks, because of safety concerns, including the occurrence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients taking the medicine.

Raptiva has been authorised in the European Union (EU) since September 2004 to treat adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis (a disease causing red, scaly patches on the skin), who have failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to other systemic therapies including ciclosporin, methotrexate and PUVA (psoralen ultravioletA).

The CHMP reviewed the medicine at the request of the European Commission, following reports of serious side effects, including three confirmed cases of PML in patients who had taken Raptiva for more than three years. PML is a rare brain infection that usually leads to severe disability or death. Two of the three confirmed cases of PML reported to the CHMP resulted in the patient’s death. The CHMP also received an additional report of a suspected case of PML, which could not be confirmed.

Following review of all available data on the medicine’s safety and effectiveness, the CHMP concluded that:

The CHMP was therefore of the opinion that the risks of Raptiva outweigh its benefits and that the marketing authorisation for this medicine should be suspended in the EU.

Prescribers should not issue any new prescriptions for Raptiva and should review the treatment of patients currently receiving the medicine to assess the most appropriate alternatives. They should make sure that patients who have been treated with Raptiva are closely monitored for neurological symptoms and symptoms of infection. Patients who are currently taking Raptiva should not stop treatment abruptly, but should make an appointment with their doctor to discuss the most appropriate replacement treatment.

The EMEA’s recommendation has been sent to the European Commission for the adoption of a legally binding decision.

-- ENDS --

Notes:

Media enquiries only to:
Martin Harvey Allchurch or Monika Benstetter
Tel. (44-20) 74 18 84 27, E-mail

press@emea.europa.eu

Tóbaksreykingar valda öldrun

Investigators say cigarette smoke may cause same cellular defect seen in people with premature aging disease.

Following a

WebMD

article,

UPI

(2/9) reported, "University of Iowa researchers have made a connection between a rare, hereditary premature aging disease and cell damage that comes from smoking." According to the study published in the

American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

, "a key protein that is lost in Werner syndrome is decreased in smokers with emphysema and this decrease harms lung cells that normally heal wounds." In fact, "smoking can accelerate the aging process and shorten the lifespan by an average of more than 10 years."

Húðlæknar gefa ráð hvernig á að verja húðina kulda

Dermatologists provide winter skin-care tips.

In the

New York Times

(2/5, E3) Skin Deep column, Camille Sweeney observes that the combination of Arctic air and "the arid heat of apartments and office buildings" results in what dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, M.D., Ph.D., "calls 'the perfect storm for dry and damaged skin conditions.'" Besides "daily moisturizing," Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas suggests "a weekly exfoliation" treatment. Dermatologist Robert Greenberg, M.D., recommends moisturizers that "help repair a damaged skin barrier." Products that contain "synthetic ceramides, chemical compounds that...mimic the naturally occurring fatty acids in the skin's outer layer, the stratum corneum," appear to "bind the stratum corneum and keep the barrier from breaking down," he explained. Meanwhile, dermatologist Neil Sadick, M.D., FAAD, said, "Using a product that contains a plant glycoprotein mixture...can make a significant difference, helping to keep cells humidified and keep the skin protected against environmental assault, such as cold, dry air."
        Virginia's

Bristol Herald Courier

/Media General News Service (2/5, Giovanelli) reports that in winter, low humidity and indoor heat make for "a recipe for dry, flaky skin." In addition to turning down the heat and using a humidifier, dermatologists recommend switching "from a strong soap...to something softer," and taking shorter showers with water that is not overly hot. Dermatologists also "suggest applying" a good-quality moisturizer "two or three times a day if" dry skin is bothersome, "and once if dry skin is an occasional nuisance." Applying a "moisturizer within a few minutes of toweling off from a shower" may help "trap moisture." In winter, "some skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis," can be exacerbated. Troublesome itching or skin that "is persistently cracked and red" may require a visit to the dermatologist. Using an "over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream" may help, but if "skin isn't improving," a prescription medication may be needed.

Rannsóknir benda til að skilnaður valdi öldrun húðarinnar

  

Research suggests divorce may make people look older.

In its Health Highlights section,

HealthDay

(2/4) reprised coverage of a

UPI

story that "divorce can add years to your face." In a study published online in the journal

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

, researchers from the University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, OH, "studied 186 pairs of identical twins," and found that those "who'd been divorced looked two years older than their siblings who were married, single, or even widowed." In addition, use of antidepressants and weight were factors that "also contributed to an older appearance."

Húðlæknar gefa ráð um hvernig á að koma í veg fyrir öldrun húðarinnar

Dermatologist provides advice on how to prevent premature skin aging.

In a column in the

Tampa Tribune

(2/4), Neil Alan Fenske, M.D., chair of the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at USF Health, observed, "How quickly your skin ages, independent of lifestyle changes, depends to a large extent on heredity. Some people at 65 have skin that looks 50, and, unfortunately, others have the reverse." Yet, Dr. Fenske advised readers that even though they "can't change how quickly" they "intrinsically age," they can still protect their "skin from excessive sun and avoid certain behaviors that increase the risk of premature skin aging." People should also "eat foods rich in antioxidants" and "make sunscreen application part of" their "daily routine," as well as "avoid repetitive squinting (wear sunglasses) and overzealous expressions that can contribute to facial wrinkles." Finally, Dr. Fenske recommended that readers "stop smoking," because "smoking accelerates wrinkles and can make you look old beyond your years."
     

Nýtt útvortis lyf gegn psoriasis skrá í Bandaríkjunum

FDA approves ointment for treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis.

WebMD

(2/3, DeNoon) reported that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Vectical (calcitriol), an "ointment containing...the active form of vitamin D3," for "use by adults 18 and older with mild-to-moderate psoriasis." In clinical trials, Vertical was demonstrated to be "safe during one year of continuous use." Side effects of the drug "include changes in the way the body uses calcium." Therefore, patients "with known or suspected disturbances in calcium metabolism are warned to use Vectical with caution," as well as those who take drugs, "such as thiazide diuretics, that affect calcium levels." In addition, "caution is...advised for patients taking calcium or vitamin D supplements." A "possible advantage" of calcitriol is "that it can be applied to sensitive skin-fold areas."

FDA News

(2/4) also reports the story.

Sólarlandaferðir í æsku auka líkurnar á sortuæxlum síðar á ævinni

Study indicates childhood vacations at the shore may increase melanoma risk later in life.

AFP

(2/4) reports, "Spending vacations at the beach during childhood may increase the risk of the deadly skin cancer melanoma later in life," according to a study published in the Feb. issue of the journal

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention

.
        For the study, researchers from the Colorado School of Public Health "evaluated 681 children born in 1998 in Colorado, asking their parents about childhood vacation destinations and then conducting skin exams when the children were age seven to look for nevi" that "are a risk factor for developing malignant melanoma,"

HealthDay

(2/3, Doheny) explained. The investigators discovered that the number of "moles went up five percent for every vacation" the children "took [beginning at age one year]." Notably, the authors also found that "the moles seemed to increase despite sunscreen use," and suggested that "parents...skip or curtail waterside vacations when their children are young."
        "Though the study focused on children in Colorado," the authors say "that its results apply to white children in regions with low to moderate sun exposure around the world," Canada's

Toronto Star

(2/3, Gordon) reported. The authors also pointed out that "black children have only one-twentieth the risk of melanoma that white children have," and "little is known about the impact of sun exposure on skin cancer rates in Asian populations." In addition, the study "revealed a 19 percent higher risk for boys than girls, presumably because they're more likely to stay outdoors longer, and a greater risk for kids from families with high incomes, since they were more likely to go on beach vacations."
        In its Health Beat segment,

WLS-TV

Chicago (2/3), an ABC affiliate, noted that "experts recommend children be covered with a high SPF sunblock." In addition, youngsters should "stay out of the sun between 10" a.m. and two p.m. "during the day."
       

KOLO-TV

Nevada (2/3, 12:07 p.m. MT, Johnson), an ABC affiliate, explained in a HealthBytes segment, "Melanoma rates are on the rise in the United States - more than 62,000 Americans are now diagnosed each year."

Vísindamenn prófa Botex sem meðferð gegn psoriasis

Researchers test Botox's efficacy against psoriasis.

The U.K.'s

Daily Mail

(2/3) reported, "Botox injections are being used to treat psoriasis." For instance, "a trial of Botox injections at the University of Minnesota follows the discovery that patients with dystonia -- a neurological movement disorder -- who also have psoriasis saw improvements in both conditions after treatment." Apparently, the "toxin may have a beneficial effect on nerve cells that are involved in psoriasis."

Stress kann að hafa áhrif á gang sortuæxla

Stress may accelerate progression of malignant melanoma, researchers say.

AHN

(2/2, Young) reported that researchers from Ohio State University "say that stress can accelerate the progression of malignant melanoma, a particularly aggressive form of skin cancer." In fact, "even hearing the diagnosis could induce enough stress to amplify the progression of malignant melanoma," according to the paper published in the February issue of

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity

. "About 48,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year and nearly 8,000 people die each year from the disease."
        For the study, investigators "exposed three melanoma cell lines to norepinephrine, a naturally occurring compound that functions as a stress hormone," New Zealand's

National Business Review

(2/3) added. They eventually found that "in the most aggressive and advanced form of the melanoma, there was a 2,000 percent increase in one protein, Interleukin-6, where in untreated samples IL-6 is usually undetectable." The team also "showed that once the norepinephrine molecule binds to receptors on the surface of cancer cells, it stimulates the release of the proteins that support angiogenesis and tumor growth." After confirming "that receptors were present in all three cell lines," the team began "testing what would happen when the receptors were blocked by common blood pressure medicine -- or so-called 'beta-blockers.'" During their tests of beta-blockers, researchers found that when the drug "bound to the receptors, production reduced significantly, indicating that using these types of medications in melanoma patients may slow the progression of the disease."