BACKGROUND: Tinea manus is a common superficial dermatophyte infection that is usually coexistent with tinea pedis. Trichophytom rubrum is the most commonly isolated agent in tinea manus. Despite this condition, there have been only a few reports on the clinical and mycological features of tinea manus. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the variables related with tinea manus and to determine the correlation with other superficial dermatophyte infection. METHODS: Clinical and mycological features of 54 cases with tinea manus from the department of dermatology in Daegu Catholic University Hospital and the Catholic Skin Clinic from January 2011 to December 2012 were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 2:1. The age distribution ranged from 14 to 81 years old. The affected site was the palm in 31 cases (57.4%), the dorsum in 13 cases (24.1%), and both palm and sole in 10 cases (18.5%). Tinea manus was accompanied with other superficial dermatophyte infections, such as tinea pedis, tinea unguium, and tinea corporis in 42 cases (77.8%) and not in 12 cases (22.2%). Fungal culture result was positive in 8 cases of tinea manus only group and in 26 cases of tinea manus with other dermatophyte infection group. The most commonly isolated agent was Trichophyton rubrum in both groups. CONCLUSION: The patients with only tinea manus tend to predilect the dorsum of hand and were relatively more caused by other fungus than Trichophyton ruburum when compared with the patients with other dermatophytosis.
Age Distribution ; Arthrodermataceae ; Daegu ; Dermatology ; Female ; Fungi ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Methods ; Onychomycosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Tinea Pedis ; Tinea* ; Trichophyton

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA), a chronic, relapsing hair-loss disorder, is considered to be a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) belongs to a family of cold-shock proteins that respond to cold stress, and has been identified as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule that triggers the inflammatory response. Recent studies have shown that high-mobility group box 1, another DAMP molecule, is elevated in serum and scalp tissue of AA patients, suggesting a relationship between DAMP molecules and the pathogenesis of AA. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of serum CIRP levels in AA. METHODS: The serum levels of CIRP were compared between 68 patients with AA and 20 healthy controls. Additionally, the correlation between CIRP level and various clinical parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: The serum CIRP levels were significantly higher in AA patients compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, there was an association between the serum CIRP level and clinical characteristics, such as disease duration and disease activity. However, there was no significant difference in the serum CIRP level among the clinical types of AA (AA multiplex, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CIRP may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AA and could be a potential biologic marker for monitoring the disease activity of AA.
Alopecia Areata ; Alopecia ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biomarkers ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Inflammation ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; Scalp

Objective: Anosognosia is a common phenomenon in individuals with dementia. Anosognosia Questionnaire for dementia (AQ-D) is a well-known scale for evaluating anosognosia. This study aimed to establish a Korean version of the AQ-D (AQ-D-K) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the AQ-D-K in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Methods: We translated the original English version of AQ-D into Korean (AQ-D-K). Eighty-four subjects with very mild or mild AD dementia and their caregivers participated. Reliability of AQ-D-K was assessed by internal consistency and one-month test-retest reliability. Construct validity and concurrent validity were also evaluated. Results: Internal consistencies of the AQ-D-K patient form and caregiver form were high (Cronbach alpha 0.95 and 0.93, respectively). The test-retest reliability of AQ-D-K measured by intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.84. Three factors were identified: 1) anosognosia of instrumental activity of daily living; 2) anosognosia basic activity of daily living; and 3) anosognosia of depression and disinhibition. AQ-D-K score was significantly correlated with the clinician-rated anosognosia rating scale (ARS), center for epidemiological studies-depression scale (CES-D) and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Conclusion The findings suggest that the AQ-D-K is a reliable and valid scale for evaluating anosognosia for AD dementia patients using Korean language.

Objective: Anosognosia is a common phenomenon in individuals with dementia. Anosognosia Questionnaire for dementia (AQ-D) is a well-known scale for evaluating anosognosia. This study aimed to establish a Korean version of the AQ-D (AQ-D-K) and to evaluate the reliability and validity of the AQ-D-K in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. Methods: We translated the original English version of AQ-D into Korean (AQ-D-K). Eighty-four subjects with very mild or mild AD dementia and their caregivers participated. Reliability of AQ-D-K was assessed by internal consistency and one-month test-retest reliability. Construct validity and concurrent validity were also evaluated. Results: Internal consistencies of the AQ-D-K patient form and caregiver form were high (Cronbach alpha 0.95 and 0.93, respectively). The test-retest reliability of AQ-D-K measured by intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.84. Three factors were identified: 1) anosognosia of instrumental activity of daily living; 2) anosognosia basic activity of daily living; and 3) anosognosia of depression and disinhibition. AQ-D-K score was significantly correlated with the clinician-rated anosognosia rating scale (ARS), center for epidemiological studies-depression scale (CES-D) and state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Conclusion The findings suggest that the AQ-D-K is a reliable and valid scale for evaluating anosognosia for AD dementia patients using Korean language.