British Association of Dermatologists National Clinical Audit on the Management of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the UK

BACKGROUND

The first UK guidelines for the management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) were published by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) in 2018. The guidelines contained a set of audit criteria.

AIM

To evaluate current HS management against the audit standards in the BAD guidelines.

METHODS

BAD members were invited to complete audit questionnaires between January and May 2020 for five consecutive patients with HS per department.

RESULTS

In total, 88 centres participated, providing data for 406 patients. Disease staging using the Hurley system and disease severity using a validated tool during follow-ups was documented in 75% and 56% of cases, respectively, while quality of life and pain were documented in 49% and 50% of cases, respectively. Screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors was as follows: smoking 75%, body mass index 27% and others such as lipids and diabetes 57%. Screening for depression and anxiety was performed in 40% and 25% of cases, respectively. Support for smokers or obese patients was documented in 35% and 23% of cases. In total, 182 patients were on adalimumab, of whom 68% had documentation of baseline disease severity, and 76% were reported as having inadequate response or contraindications to systemic treatments; 44% of patients continued on adalimumab despite having < 25% improvement in lesion count.

CONCLUSION

UK dermatologists performed well against several audit standards, including documenting disease staging at baseline and smoking status. However, improvements are needed, particularly with regard to screening and management of comorbidities that could reduce the long-term complications associated with HS. A re-audit is required to evaluate changes in practice in the future.

Inflammatory nail conditions. Part 2: nail changes in lichen planus and alopecia areata

Nail changes are frequently seen in patients with cutaneous lichen planus and alopecia areata. This manuscript provides an updated overview on the clinical features, management and prognosis of both conditions. Searches of electronic databases PubMed and EMBASE were conducted and eligible articles were accessed. Practical management principles relevant to these two conditions are also included.

Inflammatory nail conditions. Part 1: nail changes in psoriasis

Nail changes are visible in a variety of inflammatory dermatoses. The commonest dermatological condition with nail manifestations is chronic plaque psoriasis. This two-part article reviews the nail signs in psoriasis in Part 1, and the nail changes in cutaneous lichen planus and alopecia areata in Part 2. It provides a brief summary of the salient points in the clinical features, management and prognosis of these entities, with practical recommendations that may be beneficial to all dermatologists.

National audit on the management of bullous pemphigoid

BACKGROUND

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune, subepidermal, blistering condition that typically affects elderly people.

AIM

To undertake a national clinical audit based on standards derived from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) clinical guidelines on the management of BP.

METHODS

In 2018, BAD members were invited to submit data for five consecutive adults with BP per centre, who had been under hospital supervision for at least 12 months, in a national audit over an 11-week period.

RESULTS

In total, 123 responders from 120 hospitals provided data for 524 cases. Diagnosis was made either clinically (10.7%; 56 of 524) or through histology with direct immunofluorescence (41.6%; 218 of 524), indirect immunofluorescence (10.3%; 54 of 524) or both (37.4%; 196 of 524). Most patients had very mild baseline disease (63.9%; 225 of 352) with 21.9% (77 of 352) considered mild, 9.8% (31 of 352) moderate and 5.4% (19 of 352) severe. Documentation of diabetes, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), blood pressure and hypertension was available for 54.1% (283 of 523), 51% (267 of 524), 44.2% (231 of 522) and 61.5% (321 of 522) of cases, respectively. Oral corticosteroids were commenced in 85.5% (448 of 524) of patients, with 38.4% (172 of 448) of these having documented risk of osteoporosis; data regarding prescription of bone-protection therapies were available for 99.7% (447 of 448) of cases, with 75.6% (338 of 447) of these having a bone-protection prescription. Patient satisfaction was documented in 59.3% (310 of 523) of cases. Systemic treatment was commenced in 95.9% (502 of 524) of cases during the 12-month assessment period, with baseline blood test and follow-up data available for 96.6% (485 of 502) and 95.6% (480 of 502), respectively. Documentation of baseline blood tests was available for 87.4% (424 of 485) of cases, with follow-up tests recorded in 69.8% (335 of 480).

CONCLUSION

Overall, compliance with elements of documentation was moderate or low, whereas standards pertaining to direct care were high.

Compliance with national guidelines on isotretinoin: where are we 2 years since the last audit? Results of the National Isotretinoin Re-Audit 2014

BACKGROUND

In 2010, the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) published clinical guidelines for the safe introduction and continued use of isotretinoin in patients with acne in the UK. The BAD provides UK dermatologists with a facility for national audit, and it undertook an audit on compliance with these guidelines in 2012.

AIM

To determine current clinical practices relating to use of isotretinoin among dermatologists in the UK (including geographical variations) as measured against BAD standards, and to ascertain any improvement since the 2012 audit.

METHODS

The 2012 isotretinoin audit proforma was used, with additional questions on clinical setting, complaints and litigation. A web-based survey tool was used for data entry and submission, with email invitation to working, UK-based BAD members (n = 1226) in December 2013 and weekly reminders during the 8.5-week data collection period. Responders were requested to enter data for the three most recent consecutive patients (including one male and one female patient) who had completed treatment within the previous 6 months.

RESULTS

In total, 338 (27.6%) respondents provided data on 1013 patients. Serum lipids were checked in 93.4% of patients and documentation of mental health and/or mood state was recorded in 82.1%. Regarding the Pregnancy Prevention Programme (PPP), 91.6% of female patients of childbearing potential had signed the PPP information form, while 93.3% who had followed the PPP had taken pregnancy tests both before and during treatment, and 54.7% had taken a pregnancy test 5 weeks post-treatment.

CONCLUSION

Overall, there is currently good compliance with standards. Certain aspects of care that are less frequently preformed, such as pregnancy testing post-treatment, are highlighted.

Subungual corn: a tender pigmented subungual lesion in older people

BACKGROUND

Heloma durum occurs as a tender mass in the distal nail bed beneath the big toenail in older women.

OBJECTIVES

To define and report a variant of heloma durum not referenced in the literature.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study whereby records, including photographs, of all cases of subungual corn were reviewed. All patients were seen in an outpatient setting.

RESULTS

The records of 16 patients [15 women, one man, mean age 68 years (range 49-87)] were examined; history was between 6 and 30 months, none of the patients had received effective treatment. Mycology was negative. All reported discomfort under the big toe nail; 12 had associated subungual haemorrhage. The right big toenail was involved in 10 of 16 patients. Shared clinical features were of a subungual focus of hyperkeratosis (100%) with haemorrhage admixed in 75% of cases. The lesion was in the midline third of the nail in 11 of 16 patients (69%). The affected distal margin of nail was the uppermost point in the lateral profile of the toe (100%). Hyperextension at the distal interphalangeal joint of the affected toe was demonstrated with the patient standing. Local excision was performed when diagnosis was unclear (eight patients); simple clearance of the keratin plug was performed in the other eight patients. There was no relapse in patients who were followed up for > 6 months (n = 7).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical explanation and paring down should be attempted in order to avoid surgery at this poor healing site in the elderly.

Nail biology and nail science

The nail plate is the permanent product of the nail matrix. Its normal appearance and growth depend on the integrity of several components: the surrounding tissues or perionychium and the bony phalanx that are contributing to the nail apparatus or nail unit. The nail is inserted proximally in an invagination practically parallel to the upper surface of the skin and laterally in the lateral nail grooves. This pocket-like invagination has a roof, the proximal nail fold and a floor, the matrix from which the nail is derived. The germinal matrix forms the bulk of the nail plate. The proximal element forms the superficial third of the nail whereas the distal element provides its inferior two-thirds. The ventral surface of the proximal nail fold adheres closely to the nail for a short distance and forms a gradually desquamating tissue, the cuticle, made of the stratum corneum of both the dorsal and the ventral side of the proximal nail fold. The cuticle seals and therefore protects the ungual cul-de-sac. The nail plate is bordered by the proximal nail fold which is continuous with the similarly structured lateral nail fold on each side. The nail bed extends from the lunula to the hyponychium. It presents with parallel longitudinal rete ridges. This area, by contrast to the matrix has a firm attachment to the nail plate and nail avulsion produces a denudation of the nail bed. Colourless, but translucent, the highly vascular connective tissue containing glomus organs transmits a pink colour through the nail. Among its multiple functions, the nail provides counterpressure to the pulp that is essential to the tactile sensation involving the fingers and to the prevention of the hypertrophy of the distal wall tissue, produced after nail loss of the great toe nail.

Pili annulati: refinement of the locus on chromosome 12q24.33 to a 2.9-Mb interval and candidate gene analysis

BACKGROUND

Pili annulati is an autosomal dominant hair shaft disorder characterized by alternating light and dark bands in hairs of affected individuals. Recently, a locus for pili annulati was mapped to chromosome 12q24.32-24.33 and recombination events defined a critical region of 9.2 cM (3.9 Mb).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the current study was to narrow the size of the candidate region and to identify the pathogenic mutation for pili annulati by analysing the candidate genes.

METHODS

In three families with 90 individuals, including 40 affected subjects, linkage analysis was performed with 13 microsatellite markers in the candidate region on chromosome 12. Candidate genes were analysed for their expression in hair follicles and other tissues by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and mutation analysis.

RESULTS

Multipoint LOD score analysis for all three families confirmed the locus on the long arm of chromosome 12 with a maximum LOD score of 12.26 at marker D12S357. In two families, recombinations were identified which narrowed the region to 2.9 Mb containing 36 genes. We analysed the candidate genes in this region by RT-PCR and found that 24 were expressed in human hair follicles. Based on the result of the expression analysis, DNA sequencing of the coding region of the candidate genes was performed; this did not result in the discovery of a causal mutation.

CONCLUSION

We reduced the critical interval of pili annulati to 2.9 Mb and excluded mutations in the coding region of all 36 possible candidate genes by sequence analysis.

Multiple myxoid cysts secondary to occupation

We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented with eight digital myxoid cysts (DMCs) involving the fingers of both hands. They developed within 12 months of the patient starting a job that involved pushing a garment into an embroidery mould, thus exerting a downward force on the fingertips. The pressure exerted from this force could have potentially damaged the joint synovial capsule, leading to rupture and loss of synovial gel, thus inducing myxoid cysts. This case suggests that DMCs may be related to occupation, and to our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of occupationally induced DMCs.

Cytokeratin expression in pili annulati hair follicles

Pili annulati is a rare autosomal inherited hair shaft abnormality of unknown pathogenesis in which clinical examination reveals alternating light and dark bands leading to a shiny appearance of the hair due to cavities within the cortex of the hair shaft. This is the first investigation of the proposed cytokeratin defect in pili annulati hair follicles. Four cryopreserved pili annulati and four control scalp specimens were analysed using immunohistochemistry for different 'hard' trichocytic and 'soft' epithelial cytokeratins including K1, K6, K10, K14, K16, K17, K18, K19, Ha1 and Hb1. There was no difference in staining intensity and quality of staining pattern seen in pili annulati and control scalp specimens. These results suggest that pili annulati is not caused by a defect of the cytokeratins investigated in this study.

Update on detection, morphology and fragility in pili annulati in three kindreds

BACKGROUND

Pili annulati is an inherited hair shaft abnormality with a wide range of clinical expression.

OBJECTIVE

We have examined closely three kindreds to reveal levels and character of expression of the phenotype and supplement current literature on the threshold for detection and aspects of hair shaft fragility.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eleven cases of pili annulati from three families were included in a clinical and morphological study. All cases were assessed clinically and by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of hair shafts. In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (four patients) and amino acid analysis (three patients) were undertaken on clinically overt cases. Results Examination by light microscopy with a fluid mountant was more sensitive than clinical examination, increasing the detection rate by 120%. Microscopic examination revealed that the characteristic periodic bands become less frequent distally in the hair shaft. Microscopic features of weathering were found in two cases, adding pili annulati to the list of structural hair shaft dystrophies that may weaken hair and dispose to weathering. Amino acid analysis of the hair of three patients with pili annulati showed elevated lysine and decreased cystine content compared to 12 normal controls, consistent with the reduced threshold for weathering.

CONCLUSION

Careful light microscopy with fluid-mounted hair is needed to detect subjects mildly affected by pili annulati. Expression of the phenotype varies widely between individuals, between hairs and within hairs of the same individual, where ageing of the hair diminishes detectable features.

Alterations in the basement membrane zone in pili annulati hair follicles as demonstrated by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry

BACKGROUND

Pili annulati is a rare autosomal dominant inherited hair shaft abnormality in which clinical examination reveals alternating light and dark bands leading to a shiny appearance of the hair. The clinically light bands are the abnormal areas due to cavities within the cortex. The pathogenesis remains unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the expression of the basement membrane zone (BMZ) components in pili annulati hair follicles of the scalp.

METHODS

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was carried out on scalp sections of six individuals with pili annulati and six controls. Longitudinal sections of scalp tissues from four individuals with pili annulati and six normal controls were studied by immunohistochemistry with a panel of monoclonal antibodies to the following BMZ components: alpha(6)beta(4) integrin, laminin 5, LH39 antigen, laminin 1, collagen IV and collagen VII.

RESULTS

Using TEM, pili annulati scalp specimens exhibited a reduplicated lamina densa in the region of the root bulb in comparison with the single thin electron-dense band in controls. Using immunohistochemistry, there was a wavy BMZ in pili annulati follicles with antibodies to components of the lamina lucida, lamina densa and anchoring fibrils, whereas the BMZ in control hair follicles was as a smooth linear band. The expression of the hemidesmosome-associated alpha(6)beta(4) integrin was linear in both pili annulati and control hair follicles.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the genetic defect may be a mutation in proteins involved in signalling and regulation of formation and degradation of the lamina densa and sublamina densa region resulting in abnormal assembly or remodelling of the BMZ.

Twice-daily vs. once-daily inpatient dithranol for psoriasis

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of twice-daily vs. once-daily regimes of dithranol (anthralin) in Lassar's paste. Over a 4-year period, 61 inpatients with stable plaque psoriasis gave informed consent and entered a randomized controlled trial, having twice or once-daily application of dithranol in Lassar's paste as part of otherwise standard Ingram's regime. Primary outcome measurements were time required in hospital, nursing time, changes in total body surface area affected by psoriasis and thickness of a target plaque and in some patients, an assessment of the recurrence of psoriasis. Doctors were blinded as to the regime being used. At entry, mean patient age, lesional surface area and target plaque thickness were comparable in both groups and no patient had received systemic therapy in the preceding 3 months. Forty-two patients completed the study, two (11%) in the twice-daily group withdrawing due to skin irritation or 'burning'. Mean lesional surface area and target plaque thickness were similar in both groups at hospital discharge. Mean (+/- SD) time spent in hospital was not significantly different in each group, being 13.3 (+/- 6.2) days and 13.9 (+/- 4.5) days for the twice-daily and once-daily groups, respectively (P = 0.36). Duration of hospitalization did not correlate with surface area or plaque thickness on admission. Mean (+/- SD) nursing time spent on treatment was significantly greater in the twice-daily group, at 0.82 (+/- 0.33) hours per day compared with 0.51(+/- 0.25) hours per day in the once-daily group. Relapse rate at 6 months was not different between the two groups.