Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a debilitating complication of herpes zoster (HZ), yet reliable biomarkers for early prediction remain elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum Galectin-3, Galectin-9, and IL-6 levels for PHN development. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 76 participants were enrolled in this prospective cohort study, including 56 patients with acute herpes zoster (HZ) and 20 healthy controls. Based on 3-month follow-up outcomes, the HZ patients were further divided into two groups: those who developed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN group, n = 18) and those who did not (non-PHN group, n = 38). The patients were followed up to evaluate the development of PHN. Serum levels of Galectin-3, Galectin-9, and IL-6 were quantified via ELISA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and multivariate Cox regression analyses were employed to assess biomarker performance and independent predictors of PHN. Baseline serum levels of all three biomarkers were significantly elevated in patients who subsequently developed PHN compared with both non-PHN patients and healthy controls (all P < 0.01) and were strongly correlated with pain severity (NRS scores; ρ = 0.68–0.75, P < 0.001). ROC analysis identified Galectin-9 as the strongest predictor of PHN (AUC = 0.85, sensitivity = 94.4
This study aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of the 1064-nm Nd: YAG picosecond laser in the treatment of xanthelasma palpebrarum. Patients with xanthelasma palpebrarum were enrolled and scheduled to undergo at least three sessions of 1064 nm Nd: YAG picosecond laser treatment with a 4-week interval. Clinical efficacy was independently assessed by two dermatologists using a six-grade scale(0–5). Patients were asked to rate the degree of pain related to treatment on a visual analog scale (VAS), with scores ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain ever). We enrolled 13 patients (12 female and one male) with 36 lesions between March and December 2022. The mean clearing grade after one treatment session was 1.7, which increased to 2.2 after two treatment sessions. After three treatment sessions, the mean clearing grade was 3. In four patients who received four treatment sessions, the mean clearing grade further increased to 3.7. The mean VAS score for pain was 4.28. Purpura and bleeding resolved within one week. Dyschromia or scarring was not observed. The 1064-nm Nd: YAG picosecond laser is effective and safe for the treatment of Xanthelasma palpebrarum. Trial Registration: chictr.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR2200063203.
Acne-induced macular dyspigmentation, is a common and distressing sequela of acne. These marks can be long-lasting and disproportionately affect individuals with darker skin types. Explore the lived experience of acne-induced macular dyspigmentation, including its effects on mental health, social functioning, and treatment experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted among individuals aged 12–45 with acne-induced macular dyspigmentation, recruited from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. Transcripts were reviewed and coded by two independent reviewers. Eighteen individuals with a mean age of 25.9 (SD 8.9, range 14–43) participated, of whom 14 (78
Dermatological diseases (DD) are common and frequently accompanied by sleep and psychological impairments. The contribution of circadian variability to these outcomes remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the individual and combined relationships of dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo with sleep, chronotype, and psychosocial health using data from the 4th São Paulo Epidemiologic Sleep Study (EPISONO-2018). Of 769 participants aged 20–80 years, 721 had complete dermatological and sleep-timing data, including 83 individuals with DD and 638 without DD. Propensity score matching (PSM) balanced sociodemographic variables, yielding 83 individuals with DD and 84 matched controls. Sleep timing, chronotype (mid-sleep on free days corrected for sleep debt on workdays [MSFsc] and diurnal preference assessed by the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire self-assessment [MEQ-SA]), social jetlag, and psychosocial measures (perceived stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and quality of life) were evaluated. In the unmatched sample, DD participants had lower MEQ-SA scores, fewer morning types, higher perceived stress, and poorer quality of life in the psychological domain than the non-DD group. Intermediate and evening preferences presented approximately 2-fold higher odds of DD, particularly dermatitis, whereas morning preference corresponded to nearly 50
