0000000000154434
AUTHOR
Sergio Chimenti
The GENDER ATTENTION Observational Study: Gender and Hormonal Status Differences in the Incidence of Adverse Events During Cyclosporine Treatment in Psoriatic Patients
Introduction: Female sex has been shown to be a risk factor for the development of adverse drug reactions; however, this has not been studied for cyclosporine (CsA). The aim of this study was to investigate, in Italian dermatological practice, the influence of gender and menopause and related hormones on the incidence of adverse events (AEs) during CsA treatment in psoriatic patients. Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted from May 2011 to June 2013. Patients with plaque psoriasis, undergoing a new CsA administration course, or about to start it, were enrolled in the outpatient clinics of Italian dermatological centers. During the 2–6 months of study duration, pati…
Efficacy, safety and quality of life of calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Dovobet (R)) versus calcipotriol (Daivonex (R)) in the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris: A randomized, multicentre, clinical trial
Objective: A clinical trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy, speed of response, side effects and quality of life of patients treated with calcipotriol/betamethasone dipropionate (Dovobet (R)) for 4 weeks followed by maintenance with calcipotriol for 8 weeks (group A) versus calcipotriol (Daivonex (R)) alone for 12 weeks (group B) for the treatment of psoriasis. Materials and methods: A total of 150 patients were enrolled and randomized to groups A and B. PASI and Skindex-29 were considered the outcome measures. Results: Ninety-six patients completed the trial. At weeks 2 and 4, both groups showed a significant clinical improvement compared to baseline; group A demonstrated a higher c…
Prevalence and risk factors of actinic keratosis in patients attending Italian dermatology clinics
Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common keratinocyte intraepidermal neoplasia. Objective: To assess AK prevalence and potential risk factors in patients attending Italian general dermatology clinics. Materials & methods: This retrospective study was conducted on clinical data from consecutive white outpatients aged ≥30 years, attending 24 general dermatology clinics between December 2014 and February 2015. AK prevalence (entire population) and multivariate risk factor analysis (patients with current/previous AK and complete data) are presented. Results: AK prevalence in 7,284 patients was 27.4% (95% CI: 26.4-28.4%); 34.3% in men and 20.0% in women (p<0.001). Independent AK ris…
Efficacy of switching between tumor necrosis factor-alfa inhibitors in psoriasis: results from the Italian Psocare registry
Background: Some studies have shown that switching patients from one tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alfa inhibitor to another may be beneficial when they have an inadequate response or an adverse event. Objective: We sought to assess the variables predicting the efficacy of the second TNF-alfa inhibitor in patients discontinuing the first TNF-alfa inhibitor. Methods: Data from all 5423 consecutive patients starting TNF-alfa inhibitor therapy for psoriasis between September 2005 and September 2010 who were included in the Italian Psocare registry were analyzed. Results: In 105 patients who switched to a second TNF-alfa inhibitor who had complete follow-up data, 75% improvement in the Psoriasis …
Italian Euromelanoma Day Screening Campaign (2005-2007) and the planning of melanoma screening strategies.
Although no study has definitively shown that unfocused screening of skin cancer is effective, many campaigns have been organized with the aim of increasing awareness on melanoma risk factors. The objective of this study was to analyse the results of the Skin Cancer Screening Day in Italy during the period 2005-2007, to determine the priorities for melanoma control plans in a Mediterranean country. A total of 5002 patients were screened by dermatologists in 31 cities. Individuals who considered themselves to have many naevi and those with a family history of melanoma showed a higher number of common and atypical naevi. Ten melanomas, 20 basal cell carcinomas and two squamous cell carcinomas…