Background: As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues, wearing masks has become a daily routine. As the mask-wearing time increased, the mask-covered skin was more likely to be influenced. Objective: This study aimed to identify face mask-wearing behaviors and their effects on patients with facial skin diseases. Methods: Patients with facial skin disease were surveyed at two institutions. The patterns of mask use, mask-associated skin problems, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) were investigated. Results: A total of 174 participants were enrolled and the mean age was 42.2 years. Rosacea (35.6%) was the most common condition, followed by acne (25.3%) and contact dermatitis (17.2%). Ninety-four subjects (54.0%) reported that they wore masks for less than 6 hours a day, and 96 subjects (55.2%) wore masks to fit tightly against the face. Regarding the mask type, KF-99, 94, and 80 (62.6%) were the most common. Nearly three-quarters (n=128, 73.6%) of patients complained of mask-associated skin problems. Pimples were the most common symptom (59.4%), and the cheek was the most commonly affected area (67.2%). The mean DLQI score was 9.90. Conclusion We investigated the current patterns of mask use in patients with facial skin diseases. Moreover, it is necessary to recognize newly encountered relationships and seek strategies for relevant patients.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is common non-scarring hair loss disease. Sleep distrubance has been regarded as a triggering or aggravating factor for AA. However, objective evaluation of sleep disturbance and its clinical effect on AA has not been clearly demonstrated. Objective: This study investigated objective sleep evaluation tool for AA patients and their clinical correlation. Methods: Patients presenting with new-onset AA or recurrences of pre-existing AA were included, and those who reported sleep disturbance in the preliminary survey were designated as the sleep disturbance group (SD group). Sleep quality was investigated for them using three self-administered questionnaires: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS). Demographic information and clinical features of AA were analyzed according to sleep quality. Results: A total of 400 participants were enrolled, and 53 were categorized into the SD group. The incidence of stressful events was significantly higher in the SD group (54.7%) than in the non-SD group (25.1%) (p<0.001). Based on the PSQI, 77.3% of participants were objective poor sleepers (score of 5 or more), and they showed a significantly higher incidence of stressful events compared to good sleepers (p=0.019). The proportion of poor sleepers was significantly lower in patients with mild AA (S1) than in those with moderate to severe AA (S2~S5) (p=0.045). Conclusion This study demonstrated a positive correlation among stress, SD, and AA. The degree of SD was objectively represented by the PSQI score, showing different scores according to AA severity.

After anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) was first described by Stain in 1985, there have been several histological variants of ALCL reported. There are classified histological subtypes of ALCL, such as lymphohistiocytic, small cell, Hodgkin-like, composite pattern, and other less common variants including neutrophil-rich ALCL. A 63-year-old male patient presented with erythematous exophytic mass on the left lower leg. In the past, his condition had been diagnosed as abdominal primary cutaneous ALCL (pcALCL), which recurred as systemic ALCL (sALCL) in the left bronchus. After treatment, he achieved complete remission. Histopathologic examination showed large-sized pleomorphic, anaplastic mitotic tumor cells, several neutrophils, and a few lymphocytes. Neutrophil-rich ALCL is a rare histological variant of ALCL. It is characterized by the presence of CD30-positive anaplastic tumor cells with numerous neutrophil infiltrations. Neutrophil-rich ALCL responds well to treatment but tends to recur. There were four cases reported to have recurrent neutrophilrich ALCL. All cases were diagnosed with neutrophil-rich pcALCL prior to recurrence.Three cases had local recurrence, and only one case relapsed as sALCL. Herein, we present the first case of neutrophil-rich ALCL recurring as sALCL twice.

Purpose: We aimed to identify factors influencing smoking cessation success among cancer patients registered in an inpatient smoking cessation program at a single cancer center. Materials and Methods: The electronic medical records of enrolled patients with solid cancer were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated factors associated with 6-month smoking cessation. Results: A total of 458 patients with cancer were included in this study. Their mean age was 62.9±10.3 years, and 56.3% of the participants had lung cancer. 193 (42.1%) had not yet begun their main treatment. The mean number of counseling sessions for the participants was 8.4±3.5, and 46 (10.0%) patients were prescribed smoking cessation medications. The 6-month smoking cessation success rate was 48.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age (<65 years), cohabited status, early stage, and the number of counseling sessions were statistically significant factors affecting 6-month smoking cessation success (p<0.05). Initiation of a cessation program before cancer treatment was significantly associated with cessation success (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.70; p=0.040). Conclusion Smoking cessation intervention must be considered when establishing a treatment plan immediately after a cancer diagnosis among smokers.

Background/Aims: Postprocedural bleeding is known to be relatively low after argon plasma coagulation (APC) for gastric neoplasms; however, there are few studies proving the effect of antithrombotic agents. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of delayed bleeding (DB) based on antithrombotic agents administered and to identify the risk factors for DB in APC for gastric tumors. Methods: A total of 785 patients with 824 lesions underwent APC for single gastric neoplasm between January 2011 and January 2018. After exclusion, 719 and 102 lesions were classified as belonging to the non-antithrombotics (non-AT) and AT groups, respectively. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups, and we determined the risk factors for DB in gastric APC. Results: Of the total 821 cases, DB occurred in 20 cases (2.4%): 17 cases in the non-AT group and three cases in the AT group (2.4% vs 2.9%, p=0.728). Multivariate analysis of the risk factors for DB confirmed the following significant, independent risk factors: male sex (odds ratio, 7.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 57.69; p=0.048) and chronic kidney disease (odds ratio, 4.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 to 13.02; p=0.005). Thromboembolic events and perforation were not observed in all patients regardless of whether they took AT agents. Conclusions AT therapy is acceptably safe in gastric APC because it does not significantly increase the incidence of DB. However, patients with chronic kidney disease or male sex need to receive careful follow-up on the incidence of post-APC bleeding.

Background: Biologics-experienced patients are more likely to show a lower response to biologics than that of biologic-naïve patients. However, no consensus on switching biologics exists. Objective: We aimed to investigate the switching patterns and efficacy of the switched biologics in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in actual clinical practice. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 37 patients with a history of switching biologics. We analyzed the reasons for switching, the switching patterns, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) 75 response rates after switching biologics. We also analyzed the factors affecting the PASI75 response rate to the second biologic. Results: The reasons for switching baseline biologics were primary failure in five patients (13.5%), secondary failure in 28 patients (75.7%), and adverse events in four patients (10.8%). The second biologics prescribed mostly include interleukin (IL)-23 inhibitor in twenty-four patients (64.9%), IL-17 inhibitor in eight patients (21.6%), tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor in three patients (8.1%), and IL-12/23 inhibitor in two patients (5.4%). A total of 46% of patients (17/37) switched biologics from IL-12/23 inhibitors to IL-23 inhibitors. The PASI75 response rates at the primary endpoint of the second and third biologics were 89.2% and 88.8%, respectively. Our study found that female sex and obesity were associated with the primary failure of the second biologic. Conclusion Secondary failure was the most common reason for switching baseline biologics. Korean dermatologists prefer different classes of biologics while switching. The PASI75 response rates at the primary endpoints of the second and third biologics were relatively satisfactory.

Background: Patients with rosacea usually suffer from skin irritations, such as itching, stinging, burning, and pain.These symptoms may be related to the skin barrier function disruption. Objective: We investigated the skin barrier functions in patients with mild to moderate rosacea and the associated improvements based on the skin care habit modifications and treatment modalities. Methods: We analyzed the data on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration (SCH) of skin lesions in 27 patients with rosacea and healthy skin of 29 control subjects. We compared the results of TEWL and SCH based on sex, age, type of rosacea, skin care habits, and the treatment modalities. Results: The skin in the patients with rosacea exhibited increased TEWL and decreased SCH compared with that in control subjects. Male patients showed increased TEWL and decreased SCH compared to female patients. Combination therapy with systemic minocycline and topical metronidazole improved the skin barrier functions. Patients with better skin care habits presented better skin barrier functions and clinical improvement. Conclusion Patients with rosacea, especially those with poor skin care habits, showed reduced skin barrier functions. Appropriate skin care habits with cleansers and moisturizers are recommended for the management of rosacea.