BACKGROUND: Mutation in the gene encoding filaggrin (FLG) is a major predisposing factor for atopic dermatitis (AD), in association with distinct features such as increased allergic sensitization, higher severity, and frequent skin infections. Genetic diversity in FLG mutations exists across ethnicities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the clinical features of AD according to the presence of FLG mutation in Korean individuals. METHODS: We performed reverse blot hybridization assay to detect FLG mutation in Korean patients with AD. Classifying subjects into AD with or without FLG mutation, clinical features of AD and patch test results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Among a total of 281 subjects, 39 (13.9%) were found to have FLG mutation. AD with FLG mutation was associated with higher risk of impetigo and eczema herpeticum but lower risk of prurigo nodularis. In the patch test, there was no difference in positive reactions of major contact allergens between the groups. CONCLUSION: In Korean patients with AD, FLG mutation was associated with more frequent skin infections but not with personal or family history of atopic diseases, allergic sensitization, contact allergy, and protracted course. It is important to consider other skin-barrier-related genes, such as KLK7 and SPINK5, and immune response-related genes in conjunction.
Allergens ; Causality ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Impetigo ; Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption ; Patch Tests ; Prurigo ; Skin

No abstract available.
Eosinophilia* ; Eosinophils ; Prurigo*

No abstract available.
Nevus, Blue* ; Prurigo*

No abstract available.
Nevus, Blue* ; Prurigo*

No abstract available.
Deoxycholic Acid* ; Phosphatidylcholines* ; Prurigo*

BACKGROUND: Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) exhibit blisters and erosions since birth, causing pain, pruritus and various complications. RDEB affects quality of life (QoL) in physical, emotional and social aspects. Furthermore, interminable dressing changes and supportive therapies impose a significant economic burden on the patient's family. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the QoL and economic burden in patients with RDEB. METHODS: Sixteen patients with RDEB were surveyed to assess the QoL and economic burden. Patients answered questionnaires consisting of a visual analogue scale (VAS) on pain and pruritus, Skindex-29, Quality of Life in EB questionnaire (QOLEB), and the economic burden due to EB. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with RDEB completed the questionnaire. Female patients presented higher VAS, QOLEB and total Skindex-29 scores than male patients. Patients with RDEB showed severe levels of pruritus, which was more intolerable than pain. Mean VAS score on pain in RDEB was higher than in oral lichen planus and post-herpetic neuralgia. VAS score on pruritus was similar to those in chronic urticaria, atopic dermatitis, and prurigo nodularis. Compared with other dermatologic conditions, patients with RDEB were profoundly affected in all three scales of skindex-29. Mean "medical cost" in a month was $257.54 (USD) (+/-169.39) and mean "dressing cost" was $358.41 (USD) (+/-312.55), which was negatively related to patient age. CONCLUSION: RDEB had a profound impact on QoL and economic burden. Compared with other dermatologic diseases, RDEB showed severe symptoms and QoL was seriously impaired. Most patients sustained economic burdens, especially on preparing dressing materials. Younger patients experienced more economic burdens.
Bandages ; Blister ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Epidermolysis Bullosa Dystrophica* ; Female ; Humans ; Lichen Planus, Oral ; Male ; Neuralgia ; Parturition ; Prurigo ; Pruritus ; Quality of Life* ; Urticaria ; Weights and Measures

No abstract available.
Dermatitis, Contact* ; Prurigo*

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prurigo ; complications ; diagnosis ; Pruritus ; Sciatica

BACKGROUND: There are limited literatures regarding the clinical characteristics of the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, and their terminology has been confusing and misleading. A simplified classification is proposed with the new terminology 'atopic eruption of pregnancy', comprising several disease entities such as eczema of pregnancy, prurigo of pregnancy, and pruritic folliculitis of pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: A clinical study was performed to determine the exact nature of atopic eruption of pregnancy in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 75 patients who were diagnosed and reclassified as atopic eruption of pregnancy at Pusan National University Hospital. RESULTS: Among 121 patients with the specific dermatoses of pregnancy, 75 (62%) were diagnosed with atopic eruption of pregnancy. The most affected sites were the flexural surfaces of the neck and extremities, followed by the abdomen and back. The mean gestational age was 18.5 weeks. In 92% of cases, atopic eruption of pregnancy started during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. Major fetal problems were not seen. Atopic disease was observed in 26 (34.7%) patients. Total serum IgE levels were elevated in 10 (50%) patients among the 20 patients who were tested for IgE levels. Forty-four (58.5%) patients improved after delivery, and atopic eruption of pregnancy recurred after delivery in 6 (8%) patients. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of AEP in Korea were mostly similar to those of AEP in Western countries. However, AEP in Korea seems to show a poor prognosis and be refractory to treatment compared to that of Western countries.
Abdomen ; Busan ; Classification ; Eczema ; Extremities ; Folliculitis ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Pregnancy* ; Prognosis ; Prurigo ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: Prurigo pigmentosa (PP) is a chronic recurrent dermatosis that occurs in young adults and is characterized by pruritic erythematous macules and papules that leave reticular hyperpigmentation. Although there have been a few comprehensive studies, the clinical characteristics and recurrence rates have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical findings and recurrence rates according to the factors associated with PP. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records, photographs, and histopathological slides of 67 patients who were diagnosed with PP between March 2005 and March 2013. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the recurrence rates between the group without associated factors and the group with associated factors (contact, diet/weight loss, and sweat, respectively). RESULTS: PP associated with contact showed localized involvement and transverse direction of the lesions; however, the PP lesions associated with diet or weight loss showed diffuse involvement. PP associated with sweat showed a tendency to be distributed in the flexural area and depressed area with longitudinal direction of the lesions. The recurrence rate of the group with no associated factors was 45.7%, while that of the group with associated factors was 33.3%. Within this group, the recurrence rate was 23.1% (3/13) for the contact group, 27.3% (3/11) for the diet/weight loss group, and 50% (4/8) for the sweat group. However, the differences in recurrence rates were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: We suspect that there are differences in the clinical characteristics according to the factors associated with PP. Although the differences in recurrence rates according to the factors associated with PP were not statistically significant, we suspect that further research with a larger sample size will show that the differences are in fact present.
Diet ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Medical Records ; Prurigo* ; Recurrence* ; Sample Size ; Skin Diseases ; Sweat ; Weight Loss ; Young Adult