BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata is the most common cause of localized, nonscarring alopecia. Unfortunately, there are few data regarding clinical features and epidemiology of alopecia areata in Korean patients, and its clinical course and treatment response rates are unpredictable. OBJECTIVE: This study strived to investigate the differences in clinical profiles according to disease severity and to determine risk factors for severe alopecia areata. METHODS: A total of 1,137 patients from 2006 to 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were subdivided into two groups: mild-to-moderate and severe alopecia areata. The groups were compared on the basis of age of onset, duration, sex, family history, comorbid disorders including autoimmune diseases, nail changes, and laboratory test results. RESULTS: Eight hundred eighty-three patients were in the mild-to-moderate alopecia areata group and 254 patients were in the severe group. Average onset age was 30.77±17.66 years and 30.60±16.75 years in the mild-to-moderate and severe groups, respectively. Disease duration was statistically longer in the severe group. Male sex, nail changes, and thyroid diseases were more common in the severe group. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, atopic dermatitis, and family history did not differ between groups. Of the serologic values, only alkaline phosphatase was considerably differing between groups. Male sex, presence of nail changes, and disease duration greater than one year were identified as significant risk factors for severe alopecia areata. CONCLUSION: This is the largest case analysis in Korean patients with alopecia areata. Clinical profiles stratified by disease severity warrant further study.
Age of Onset ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Diseases

No abstract available.

Congenital nasolacrimal duct cyst is an uncommon anomaly of nasolacrimal duct obstruction in the newborn. It is cystic dilation of the lower end of the unperforated nasolacrimal duct with intranasal extension. In such cases, the bluish-gray cyst arises beneath the inferior turbinate on nasal endoscopy. A large nasolacrimal duct cyst can fill the nasal cavity and lead to nasal obstruction. Neonates are obligate nasal breathers at birth and require several weeks to learn to breathe through the mouth. Consequently this nasal obstruction can cause significant respiratory distress. We experienced a case of bilateral nasolacrimal duct cyst presenting as neonatal respiratory distress. Diagnosis was confirmed by nasal endoscopy and CT scan. After endoscopic marsupialization of the cysts , symptom and sign of respiratory distress were rapidly resolved.
Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Mouth ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Parturition ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Turbinates

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, recurrent, debilitating inflammatory disease characterized by tender subcutaneous nodules, painful deep dermal abscesses, and sinus tracts. However, there are few data regarding the epidemiology of hidradenitis suppurativa in Asian patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, clinical stages, and associated diseases in Korean patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. METHODS: In all, 53 patients who had visited Chonnam National University Hospital from 2005 to 2014 were included. Their age of onset, distributions, Hurley stage, associated diseases, and conditions were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean onset age was 24.3±12.5 years, with male predominance (male 84.9%, female 15.1%). Lesions occurred most frequently in the buttock (75.5%), followed by the axilla, inguinal area, pubic area, and scalp. In total, 32.1% patients were at stage I, 45.3% at stage II, and 22.6% at stage III according to the Hurley staging system. Further, 58.5% patients were obese and 54.7% were current or ex-smokers. Acne conglobata (47.2%) was the most common associated disease. In addition, 9.4% patients had diabetes mellitus, 1.9% had hypertension, and 7.5% had dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: Male predominance has been observed for hidradenitis suppurativa in Korea, which is different from that reported in previous studies. Hidradenitis suppurativa is sometimes accompanied by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, and is more common in obese patients and smokers. Compared with non-smokers, smokers including ex-smokers show greater severity of hidradenitis suppurativa. To date, this is the first report on the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of hidradenitis suppurativa in Korea.
Abscess ; Acne Conglobata ; Age of Onset ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Axilla ; Buttocks ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Hidradenitis Suppurativa* ; Hidradenitis* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea* ; Male ; Scalp

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, recurrent, debilitating inflammatory disease characterized by tender subcutaneous nodules, painful deep dermal abscesses, and sinus tracts. However, there are few data regarding the epidemiology of hidradenitis suppurativa in Asian patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features, clinical stages, and associated diseases in Korean patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. METHODS: In all, 53 patients who had visited Chonnam National University Hospital from 2005 to 2014 were included. Their age of onset, distributions, Hurley stage, associated diseases, and conditions were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean onset age was 24.3±12.5 years, with male predominance (male 84.9%, female 15.1%). Lesions occurred most frequently in the buttock (75.5%), followed by the axilla, inguinal area, pubic area, and scalp. In total, 32.1% patients were at stage I, 45.3% at stage II, and 22.6% at stage III according to the Hurley staging system. Further, 58.5% patients were obese and 54.7% were current or ex-smokers. Acne conglobata (47.2%) was the most common associated disease. In addition, 9.4% patients had diabetes mellitus, 1.9% had hypertension, and 7.5% had dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: Male predominance has been observed for hidradenitis suppurativa in Korea, which is different from that reported in previous studies. Hidradenitis suppurativa is sometimes accompanied by hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, and is more common in obese patients and smokers. Compared with non-smokers, smokers including ex-smokers show greater severity of hidradenitis suppurativa. To date, this is the first report on the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of hidradenitis suppurativa in Korea.
Abscess ; Acne Conglobata ; Age of Onset ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Axilla ; Buttocks ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Hidradenitis Suppurativa* ; Hidradenitis* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Jeollanam-do ; Korea* ; Male ; Scalp

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare cyclic premenstrual reaction to progesterone produced during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The clinical symptoms of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis overlap with other forms of dermatosis such as erythema multiforme, eczema, fixed drug eruption, urticaria, and angioedema. We experienced 3 cases of autoimmune progesterone dermatitis. All patients had a recurrent history of monthly skin eruptions. Skin lesions normally began a few days before menstruation and resolved a few days later. Patients were confirmed to have autoimmune progesterone dermatitis by the results of the progesterone intradermal test. All three patients had different clinical findings such as erythema annulare centrifugum, urticaria, contact dermatitis, and rosacea. Because patients presented with variable clinical manifestations, they could have been easily misdiagnosed. The patients were treated with oral contraceptive, antihistamine and steroids for symptom control. We propose that dermatologists should consider autoimmune progesterone dermatitis in cases of recurrent cyclic skin eruptions in female patients. Further, if this condition is suspected, thorough history taking including that on menstrual cycle and intradermal progesterone test should be performed.
Angioedema ; Dermatitis* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Drug Eruptions ; Eczema ; Erythema ; Erythema Multiforme ; Female ; Humans ; Intradermal Tests ; Luteal Phase ; Menstrual Cycle ; Menstruation ; Progesterone* ; Rosacea ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Steroids ; Urticaria

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and lethal type of primary liver cancer, frequently arising from chronic liver injury and inflammation. Despite treatment advancements, HCC prognosis remains poor, emphasizing the need for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the hepatoprotective and anti-tumor effects of Hongjam, a steamed freeze-dried silkworm powder, in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HCC mouse model. Mice were administered DEN intraperitoneally for 8 weeks, followed by TAA in drinking water for 9 weeks, with Hongjam supplementation (0.01, 0.1, and 1 g/kg) provided daily through food. Hongjam markedly reduced the tumor incidence, the size, and the histological lesions compared to the DEN/TAA group. Serum biochemical analysis revealed reduction in liver damage markers, including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, with a notable decrease in total bilirubin surpassing. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that Hongjam downregulated expression of proliferation markers, including Ki67, phosphorylation of protein kinase B, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, while upregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein, indicating its dual role in suppressing proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, Hongjam inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of key markers, including interleukin 6, VEGF, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 subunit alpha, platelet-derived growth factor subunit beta, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and cluster of differentiation 31, thereby disrupting the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that Hongjam exerts multifaceted protective effects against HCC by targeting proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis pathways, while also mitigating liver damage. This study highlights the potential of Hongjam as a functional food or a complementary therapeutic agent for HCC prevention and management.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and lethal type of primary liver cancer, frequently arising from chronic liver injury and inflammation. Despite treatment advancements, HCC prognosis remains poor, emphasizing the need for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the hepatoprotective and anti-tumor effects of Hongjam, a steamed freeze-dried silkworm powder, in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HCC mouse model. Mice were administered DEN intraperitoneally for 8 weeks, followed by TAA in drinking water for 9 weeks, with Hongjam supplementation (0.01, 0.1, and 1 g/kg) provided daily through food. Hongjam markedly reduced the tumor incidence, the size, and the histological lesions compared to the DEN/TAA group. Serum biochemical analysis revealed reduction in liver damage markers, including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, with a notable decrease in total bilirubin surpassing. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that Hongjam downregulated expression of proliferation markers, including Ki67, phosphorylation of protein kinase B, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, while upregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein, indicating its dual role in suppressing proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, Hongjam inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of key markers, including interleukin 6, VEGF, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 subunit alpha, platelet-derived growth factor subunit beta, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and cluster of differentiation 31, thereby disrupting the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that Hongjam exerts multifaceted protective effects against HCC by targeting proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis pathways, while also mitigating liver damage. This study highlights the potential of Hongjam as a functional food or a complementary therapeutic agent for HCC prevention and management.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and lethal type of primary liver cancer, frequently arising from chronic liver injury and inflammation. Despite treatment advancements, HCC prognosis remains poor, emphasizing the need for effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. This study investigates the hepatoprotective and anti-tumor effects of Hongjam, a steamed freeze-dried silkworm powder, in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HCC mouse model. Mice were administered DEN intraperitoneally for 8 weeks, followed by TAA in drinking water for 9 weeks, with Hongjam supplementation (0.01, 0.1, and 1 g/kg) provided daily through food. Hongjam markedly reduced the tumor incidence, the size, and the histological lesions compared to the DEN/TAA group. Serum biochemical analysis revealed reduction in liver damage markers, including alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin, with a notable decrease in total bilirubin surpassing. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses demonstrated that Hongjam downregulated expression of proliferation markers, including Ki67, phosphorylation of protein kinase B, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, while upregulating the pro-apoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated X protein, indicating its dual role in suppressing proliferation and promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, Hongjam inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of key markers, including interleukin 6, VEGF, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 subunit alpha, platelet-derived growth factor subunit beta, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and cluster of differentiation 31, thereby disrupting the tumor microenvironment. These findings suggest that Hongjam exerts multifaceted protective effects against HCC by targeting proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis pathways, while also mitigating liver damage. This study highlights the potential of Hongjam as a functional food or a complementary therapeutic agent for HCC prevention and management.