Clinical manifestation and genetic analysis of familial rare disease genodermatosis xeroderma pigmentosum

Translating patient needs into medical device development: co-design of a photoprotection visor for Xeroderma Pigmentosum using qualitative interviews

INTRODUCTION

People with Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) have a heightened sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and are advised to wear photoprotective clothing including a visor covering the face and neck. Photoprotective visors are homemade and predominately worn by children with decreasing frequency as age increases. To improve upon the current design and efficacy we were tasked with developing a prototype visor to meet patients' needs.

METHODS

Adopting a codesign methodology, patients' experiences of wearing a visor and patient and carer views of emerging prototypes were explored during interviews. A thematic analysis was conducted in parallel with data collection and themes were interpreted into design cues; desirable attributes of a visor that would counteract the negative user experiences and meet the requirements described by patients and carers. The design cues guided the iterative development of prototypes by academic engineers.

RESULTS

Twenty-four interviews were conducted with patients and carers. Thematic analysis resulted in the following five themes: Being safe from UVR exposure; self-consciousness; temperature effects; acoustic difficulties; and material properties. The following design cues were developed from the themes respectively; materials and design with high UVR protection; ability to customise with own headwear; ventilation to reduce steaming up; acoustic functionality to enable hearing and speech; foldable, portable, and easy to put on and take off.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to understand people's experiences of using medical devices to improve their safety, efficiency and user satisfaction. The user experience themes and design cues, informed the iterative development of low fidelity visor prototypes as part of a codesign process. These design cues and responses to the prototypes are guiding commercial manufacturing and regulatory approval. The visor can then be prescribed to patients, providing an equitable service of care.

Multiple Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma With Xeroderma Pigmentosum

Multiple basal cell carcinomas are rare in children and adolescents. Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary disease characterized by photosensitivity, changes in skin pigmentation, and early onset of skin cancer. XP is extremely rare in clinical practice, with only a few cases worldwide. XP is clinically incurable. The main goal of treating this disease is to diagnose as early as possible, educate patients to strictly avoid ultraviolet radiation for life, and follow up regularly to treat skin malignant tumors in time. The authors report a 15-year-old boy with facial multiple basal cell carcinoma with XP. Its medical history, clinical features, auxiliary examination, and surgical treatment process have great reference value for the in-depth understanding of the disease. The authors will discuss how to delay the progression of the disease and treat the existing lesions in different clinical stages of the disease in combination with the existing relevant literature.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum with Simultaneous Cutaneous and Ocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rare autosomal recessive disease that disrupts deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. XP is characterized by extreme sensitivity to sunlight, photophobia, cutaneous lesions in the form of freckle-like hyperpigmented macules, and neoplasia on the skin surface. Malignancy is a common complication found in areas exposed to UV light. Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) is the most common malignancy seen in patients with XP. This report illustrates a case of XP in a six-year-old girl with cutaneous and ocular SCC. The diagnosis of XP was established based on the patient’s history and the presence of typical clinical manifestations. Dermoscopy and histopathology examinations confirmed the presence of SCC on the face and eyes. The management of XP patients includes early diagnosis, lifelong UV protection, and early detection of cutaneous malignancy. Early detection and appropriate management are very important in preventing the occurrence of malignancy.