METHODS: A 10-year retrospective analysis of SCARs cases in Penang General Hospital was carried out from January 2006 to December 2015. Data collection is based on the Malaysian Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee registry and dermatology clinic records.
RESULTS: A total of 189 cases of SCARs were encountered (F:M ratio; 1.2:1.0; mean age of 45 year). The commonest manifestation was Stevens-Johnson Syndrome [SJS] (55.0%), followed by toxic epidermal necrolysis [TEN] (23.8%), drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS] (12.7%), acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis [AGEP] (4.8%), SJS/TEN overlap syndrome (2.6%) and generalised bullous fixed drug eruptions [GBFDE] (1.1%). Mean time to onset for TEN/SJS/Overlap syndrome was 10.5±13 days; AGEP, three days; GBFDE, 2.5±0.7 days, and DRESS, 29.4±5.7 days. The most common drugs implicated were antibiotics (33.3%), followed by allopurinol (18.9%) and anticonvulsant (18.4%). Out of 154 cases of SJS/TEN/overlap syndrome, allopurinol was the commonest causative agents (20.1%). In DRESS, allopurinol accounts for 45.8% of the cases. The mortality rate in SJS, TEN and DRESS were 1.9%, 13.3% and 12.5% respectively. No mortality was observed in AGEP and GBFDE.
CONCLUSION: The commonest manifestations of SCARs in our setting were SJS, TEN and DRESS. Allopurinol was the most common culprit. Thus, judicious allopurinol use is advocated and pre-emptive genetic screening for HLAB *5801 should be considered.
Objective: The Asian Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Expert Panel on Atopic Dermatitis developed this reference guide to provide a holistic and evidence-based approach in managing AD among Asians.
Methods: Electronic searches were performed to retrieve relevant systematic reviews and guidelines on AD. Recommendations were appraised for level of evidence and strength of recommendation based on the U.K. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidelines. These practice points were based on the consensus recommendations discussed during the Asia Pacific Meeting of Experts in Dermatology held in Bali, Indonesia in October 2016 and April 2017.
Results: The Expert Panel recommends an approach to treatment based on disease severity. The use of moisturizers is recommended across all levels of AD severity, while topical steroids are recommended only for flares not controlled by conventional skin care and moisturizers. Causes of waning efficacy must be explored before using topical corticosteroids of higher potency. Topical calcineurin inhibitors are recommended for patients who have become recalcitrant to steroid, in chronic uninterrupted use, and when there is steroid atrophy, or when there is a need to treat sensitive areas and pediatric patients. Systemic steroids have a limited role in AD treatment and should be avoided if possible. Educational programs that allow a patient-centered approach in AD management are recommended as an adjunct to conventional therapies. Recommendations on the use of phototherapy, systemic drugs, and emerging treatments are also included.
Conclusion: The management of AD among Asians requires a holistic approach, integrating evidence-based treatments while considering accessibility and cultural acceptability.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical spectrum and identify risk factors for chronicity of cutaneous vasculitis.
METHODS: Retrospective data analysis of 275 patients diagnosed with cutaneous vasculitis from January 2008 to December 2013.
RESULTS: The mean age was 33.7 (±17.89) years, with female predominance. The majority of patients were Malays (67.3%). Skin biopsy was performed in 110 (40%) patients. The commonest sign was palpable purpura (30.6%). The aetiology remained elusive in 51.3% of patients. Common identifiable causes include infection (19.7%) and connective tissue disease (10.2%). Extracutaneous features were noted in 46.5% of patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and antinuclear antibody were raised in 124 of 170 and 27 of 175 patients with documented results respectively. Cutaneous vasculitis was the presenting symptom in seven patients with newly diagnosed systemic lupus erythematosus. Anti Streptolysin O Titre was positive in 82 of 156 patients with documented results. Despite antibiotics, 31.7% of them had chronic lesions. Prednisolone alone was used in 20% of patients while 16.4% needed steroid-sparing agents. Most patients who needed systemic therapy (62%) had unidentifiable aetiology. Among the 155 patients who remained under follow up, 36.4% had chronic disease, one patient succumbed due to septicaemia, and the rest fully recovered within three months. The presence of ulcerative lesion was significantly associated with developing chronic vasculitis (p=0.003).
CONCLUSION: The clinical spectrum of cutaneous vasculitis in our population was similar to other studies. Ulcerative lesion predicts a chronic outcome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 5-year retrospective study of patients who developed positive reactions to fragrance allergens at the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between January 2017 and December 2021. Patch tests were performed with European Baseline Series and relevant extended series. Patch test readings were recorded according to the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group recommendation.
RESULTS: A total of 854 patients underwent patch test during the study period with 133 (15.6%) patients developing at least one positive reaction to fragrance allergens. The median age of patients at presentation was 40 years (range 16-79) old with 78.2% females. The most common initial presentation was hand eczema (55.6%). Other commonly involved sites include face (38.3%), leg (35.3%) and trunk (22.6%). The most frequent sensitising fragrance allergens were Fragrance Mix I (10.5%), Balsam of Peru (7.1%) and Fragrance Mix II (4.9%). Sixty patients (45%) developed positive reaction to more than one fragrance allergens. Twelve patients (9%) developed positive patch test reactions to their own products such as skincare, hair dye and hand wash. Current relevance was recorded in 96 patients (72.2 %).
CONCLUSION: Contact sensitisation to fragrance allergens was detected in about 15% of our patients who underwent patch test. The most common sensitising allergens were Fragrance Mix I and II and Balsam of Peru.
Materials and Methods: An unblinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken at the dermatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Consent from the patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were obtained, and they were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups, namely Gp-1 (C and P labeling) and Gp-2 (conventional labeling). Both groups were assessed at week 0, 6, and 12 (visit 1, 2, and 3) using knowledge assessment list and psoriasis severity assessment score. For visit 2 (week 6), reinforcement of their understanding of topical treatment was performed.
Results: A total of 101 patients were recruited. Only 91 of them completed the study. The mean ages were 44.52 (±16.61) and 45.49 (±15.84) years, with 70.3% males and approximately half Malay ethnics. The changes of knowledge and comparison of Topical Application Assessment Score between the groups showed an incremental raise of significance with every visit (P = 0.006 [week 1], 0.004 [week 6], and 0.002 [week 12]). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 could not draw any conclusion as patients who achieved >75% improvement were inadequate.
Conclusion: C and P labeling was effective in improving the understanding and knowledge of patients with psoriasis. Both groups showed improvement in body surface area and Dermatology Life Quality Index for every visit; however, it was statistically insignificant.