Assessment of Predictors of Sun Sensitivity as Defined by Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype in an Ecuadorian Population and Its Correlation with Skin Damage

Factors associated with the quality of life of women undergoing radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the skin characteristics and quality of life of patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study conducted with 60 women. The classification scales of skin changes resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation (RTOG) and the validated versions in Portuguese of those that classified skin types (Fitzpatrick), symptoms (RISRAS) and quality of life (DLQI) were applied. in the period between December 2021 and October 2022. For data analysis, Fisher's Exact Test, Chi-Square and Asymptotic General Independence Test were used.

RESULTS

100% of patients had skin irritation. As the treatment progressed and the radiodermatitis appeared or worsened, there was a tendency for the intensity of signs and symptoms to increase, such as: sensitivity, discomfort or pain, itching, burning and heat, dry and wet desquamation, which may have impacted the quality of life and reflected in other aspects, such as: shopping activities or outings (p=0.0020), social activities or leisure activities (p=0.0420).

CONCLUSION

Radiodermatitis is a common condition that affects women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy, skin characteristics and quality of life of patients affected during this treatment.

Effects of treatment methods on cutaneous melanoma related mortality and all-cause mortality in Texas: TCR-Medicare 2007-2017 database

PURPOSE

The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is rising, and Melanoma related deaths are highest among people aged 65-74. Herein, we aim to understand the impact of novel and established melanoma treatment methods on CM related mortality and all-cause mortality. We further compared these effects among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Whites (NHW).

METHODS

The data was extracted from the Texas Cancer Registry from 2007 to 2017. A Cox Proportional Hazard regression analysis was performed to assess treatment effect on melanoma mortality and all-cause mortality, with race-ethnicity as an effect modifier.

RESULTS

A higher percentage of Hispanic patients presented with CM-related mortality (22.11%) compared to NHW patients (14.39%). In both the Hispanic and NHW, post-diagnosis radiation (HR = 1.610, 95% CI 0.984-2.634, HR = 2.348, 95% CI 2.082-2.648, respectively), post-diagnosis chemotherapy (HR = 1.899, 95% CI 1.085-3.322, HR = 2.035, 95% CI 1.664-2.489, respectively), and post-diagnosis immunotherapy (HR = 2.100, 95% CI 1.338-3.296, HR = 2.402, 95% CI 2.100-2.748) are each associated with an increased risk in CM-related mortality. Similar results were seen with post-diagnosis radiation (Hispanic HR = 1.640, 95% CI 1.121-2.400, NHW HR = 1.800, 95% CI 1.644-1.971), post-diagnostic chemotherapy (Hispanic HR = 1.457, 95% CI 0.898-2.364, NHW HR = 1.592, 95% CI 1.356-1.869), and post-diagnosis immunotherapy (Hispanic HR = 2.140, 95% CI 1.494-3.065, NHW HR = 2.190, 95% CI 1.969-2.435) with respect to all-cause mortality. Post-diagnosis surgery (HR = 0.581, 95% CI 0.395-0.856, HR = 0.622, 95% CI 0.571-0.678) had the opposite effect in CM-related mortality for Hispanics and NHWs respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our results propose differences in all-cause and CM-only related mortality with separate treatment modalities, particularly with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. In addition, this retrospective cohort study showed that health disparities exist in the Hispanic Medicare population of Texas with CM.

Risk of Migraine in Europeans with Low Melanin Levels—A Population Based Case-Control Study

Populations with a relatively low concentration of melanin, e.g., inhabitants of Europe, North America, and Australia, are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV radiation. Individuals with fair phototype are at greatest risk of developing skin cancer. Several neurological studies present that light skin may modify the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. However, the relationship between migraine and skin pigmentation has not been investigated yet. The objective of this study is to provide evidence of the relationship between skin pigmentation and migraine prevalence in adults. We examined a group of 148 adults (33 men, 115 women) with migraine and a control group of 107 adults (43 men, 64 women). Parameters of skin pigmentation (melanin index, erythema index, CIElab, and RGB scales) were measured using a DSM II Cortex Technology dermospectrophotometer. Risk of migraine in lightly pigmented adults was elevated. Individuals with a low melanin index had over 3-fold increased risk of migraine (women: OR 3.53, men: OR 3.73). Fair phototype, which results from lightly pigmented skin, was associated with migraine prevalence. Migraineurs should take extra care to protect their skin from the negative effects of solar radiation.

Validity of the Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification in Ecuador

BACKGROUND

The Fitzpatrick Skin Phototype Classification (FSPC) is the most common tool used to assess skin phototype in White populations according to the amount of pigment the skin has and its reaction to sun exposure. Scientific evidence about the use of this scale for persons with darker skin is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity of the FSPC for Ecuadorians.

METHODS

This observational cross-sectional study recruited participants of both sexes between 40 and 90 years of age living in a rural area of Quito, Ecuador. Cronbach α values were used to assess the internal consistency of the scale. Construct validity was assessed with confirmatory factor analysis.

RESULTS

The internal consistency coefficients indicated that the reliability of the responses to the scale was fair. Total α value was .515, whereas the α values of the two factors were .42 and .67. Most item-to-factor correlations had a low to moderate magnitude, ranging from r = 0.30 to 0.37. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor solution and achieved good overall fit as indicated by root mean square error of approximation = 0.08, and nonnormed fit index = 0.88 was mediocre. Goodness-of-fit χ² = 177.10, P < .001. The factor loads were greater than 0.30, ranging from 0.30 to 0.99.

CONCLUSIONS

The FSPC showed an acceptable construct validity and a fair internal consistency. The five-item scale could potentially be used as an effective instrument for assessing skin phototype in non-White people.

Fluorescence biomarkers of malignant melanoma detectable in urine

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a cancerous transformation of melanocytes. It is a disease with the worst response to therapy and, compared to other malignancies, presents much earlier with metastases. MM still belongs to relatively late-detected malignant diseases. Even so, the MM mortality rate is up to 96% for a relatively small incidence (5%). The gold standard for MM diagnosis is a histopathological examination that requires invasive surgery. An invasive sampling method of a biological material can be a stressful factor for the patient, which is often the reason why patients do not seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Our goal was to find a link between metabolites in urine and the stage of MM. Two excitation peaks at 360–370 nm and 450 nm were characterised in spectra of urine samples. The emission spectra have shown one significant peak at 410–460 nm. After addition of glutathione reductase to the samples, fluorescence dropped down only in patient samples and hidden fluorophores appeared. Malignant diseases are associated with the presence of specific metabolites that can be detected fluorescently in biological material such as urine, which can be a suitable alternative for an early detection of cancer or for tracking changes during and after treatment.