Hatice Kaya Özden

This multicenter study aimed to evaluate treatment adherence and satisfaction among patients with acne vulgaris. A total of 2,349 patients from 18 dermatology centers across Türkiye completed structured questionnaires. The participants were predominantly female (79.4%) with a mean age of 21.6 years. Overall, 48% reported consistent adherence to therapy, with significantly lower adherence among males (p < 0.001). The most frequent reasons for nonadherence were forgetfulness (28.7%), dislike of the treatment (26.4%), and reluctance to maintain long-term therapy (21.5%). Treatment adherence was positively associated with higher educational levels (p = 0.006) and greater acne severity (p < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that systemic oral therapy (OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 3.147-6.086; p < 0.001) and oral isotretinoin (OR = 4.81, 95% CI: 3.379-6.869; p < 0.001) significantly increased adherence compared to topical therapy. Oral treatment was also independently associated with greater satisfaction (OR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.767-3.095; p < 0.001). Moreover, mild acne severity (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.216-2.297; p = 0.002) and older age (per year; OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.020-1.088; p = 0.001) predicted higher satisfaction. Systemic therapies-particularly oral isotretinoin-were associated with improved adherence and satisfaction.

Purpose: After the emergence of the pandemic caused by the COVID‐19 virus, vaccination with various vaccines has started to be implemented across the world. To identify dermatological reactions developing after the COVID‐19 vaccines administered in Turkey and determine their clinical features and risk factors that may play a role in their development.Materials and Methods: The study included patients aged ≥18 years, who presented to 13 different dermatology clinics in Turkey between July 2021 and September 2021 after developing dermatological reactions following the administration of the COVID‐19 vaccine. After providing written consent, the patients were asked to complete a standard survey including questions related to age, gender, occupation, comorbidities, the regular medication used, the onset of cutaneous reactions after vaccination, and localization of reactions. Dermatological reactions were categorized according to whether they developed after the first or second dose of the vaccine or whether they occurred after the inactivated or messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine. The relationship between dermatological reactions and some variables such as gender and comorbidities was also evaluated.Results: A total of 269 patients [116 women (43.1%), 153 men (56.9%)] were included in the study. It was observed that the dermatological diseases and reactions that most frequently developed after vaccination were urticaria (25.7%), herpes zoster (24.9%), maculopapular eruption (12.3%), and pityriasis rosea (4.5%). The rate of dermatological reactions was 60.6% after the administration of the mRNA vaccine and 39.4% after that of the inactivated vaccine. There was a statistically significantly higher number of reactions among the patients that received the mRNA vaccine (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The most common reactions in our sample were urticaria, herpes zoster, and maculopapular eruption. Physicians should know the dermatological side effects of COVID‐19 vaccines and their clinical features.

Background: A broad spectrum of skin diseases, including hair and nails, can be directly or indirectly triggered by COVID‐19. It is aimed to examine the type and frequency of hair and nail disorders after COVID‐19 infection.Methods: This is a multicenter study conducted on consecutive 2171 post‐COVID‐19 patients. Patients who developed hair and nail disorders and did not develop hair and nail disorders were recruited as subject and control groups. The type and frequency of hair and nail disorders were examined.Results: The rate of the previous admission in hospital due to COVID‐19 was statistically significantly more common in patients who developed hair loss after getting infected with COVID‐19 (P < 0.001). Telogen effluvium (85%) was the most common hair loss type followed by worsening of androgenetic alopecia (7%) after COVID‐19 infection. The mean stress scores during and after getting infected with COVID‐19 were 6.88 ± 2.77 and 3.64 ± 3.04, respectively, in the hair loss group and were 5.77 ± 3.18 and 2.81 ± 2.84, respectively, in the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). The frequency of recurrent COVID‐19 was statistically significantly higher in men with severe androgenetic alopecia (Grades 4–7 HNS) (P = 0.012; Odds ratio: 2.931 [1.222–7.027]).The most common nail disorders were leukonychia, onycholysis, Beau's lines, onychomadesis, and onychoschisis, respectively. The symptoms of COVID‐19 were statistically significantly more common in patients having nail disorders after getting infected with COVID‐19 when compared to the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The development of both nail and hair disorders after COVID‐19 seems to be related to a history of severe COVID‐19.

Background: Skincare products and cosmetic procedures are used as an adjunct or complementary to conventional drug therapy for acne vulgaris (AV).Objective: To evaluate the use of skincare products and the frequency of cosmetic procedures in AV treatment.Methods: A total of 1,755 patients with AV completed the survey prepared by the researchers and the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) questionnaire. The clinical findings and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) severity scores were recorded by the dermatologists.Results: For AV, 66.7% of the patients stated that they used skincare products and 26.7% had undergone cosmetic procedures. The use of skincare products was statistically significantly higher in women (female: 74.5%, male: 57.7%, p < 0.0001); older people (users: 22 ± 7.6years, non‐users: 21.2 ± 5.7 years, p < 0.0001); patients with a higher CADI score (users: 7 ± 3.7, non‐users: 6.9 ± 4.3, p = 0.010); FDA severity score 2 and 3 (FDA‐1: 58.1%; FDA‐2: 72.4%, FDA‐3: 73%, FDA‐4: 67%, p < 0.0001); long‐term disease (users: 57 ± 43 months; non‐users: 47.7 ± 42.3 months, p < 0.0001); facial involvement (present: 70.2%, absent: 51.4%, p = 0.017); high income levels (users: 73.5%; non‐users: 26.5%, p = 0.001); and graduate or post‐graduate degrees (undergraduate≤%62.8, graduate≥%76.8, p < 0.0001). The rate of cosmetic procedures was higher in those with higher CADI scores (users: 7.8 ± 3.8; non‐users: 7.1 ± 3.96, p < 0.0001); older patients (users: 22.7 ± 10.7 years; non‐users: 21.3 ± 5 years, p < 0.0001); high school (25.6%); and graduate (28.9%) education (p = 0.043), those with lower disease severity (FDA‐1: 31.1%; FDA‐2: 28.5%, FDA‐3: 27.1%, FDA‐4: 20.4%, p = 0.022); smokers (smokers: 32.5%; non‐smokers: 25.5%, p = 0.020), and those with AV in the family (present: 29.8%; absent: 24.2%, p = 0.009). The patients most frequently used cleansers (85.2%) as cosmetic products, and most commonly underwent skincare treatment (71%) as an interventional procedure. They mostly learned about such products and methods from the Internet, and 33.3% of the participants had undergone procedures performed by non‐physicians.Conclusion: The patients generally choose skincare products as a result of their Internet search and sometimes have these procedures performed by non‐physicians. Dermatologists should be aware of this situation and inform their patients about appropriate products and procedures.

Background The rate of cosmetic procedures and use of skincare products is considered to be affected during the pandemic period; however, this has not been investigated yet. Objective To determine whether the ongoing pandemic has changed people's habits related to skincare products and cosmetic procedures. Methods We conducted a multicenter survey study covering both private and public hospitals. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical diagnoses of the patients were noted by dermatologists. A survey was used to determine the type and application areas of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic, whether the patients were concerned about being infected, and any change in the make-up habits of female patients. Results Of the 1437 patients, 86.7% presented to the hospital due to dermatological complaints and 13.3% for cosmetic procedures. The rate of those that did not use skincare products was 0.05% before and 0.06% during the pandemic. Of the participants, 43.2% had undergone cosmetic procedures before and 38.1% during the pandemic. For both periods, the most frequent cosmetic procedure applied was laser epilation, followed by skincare treatment and chemical peeling. While undergoing these procedures, 34.9% of the patients were concerned about contracting coronavirus. Conclusion There was no significant difference in the use of skincare products and cosmetic procedures before and during the pandemic. The majority of the patients continued to undergo these procedures despite their fear of being infected. This shows that during the pandemic period, patients are concerned with their appearance and continue to undergo cosmetic procedures and pay attention to their skincare.

Background: Acne is one of the most common skin diseases in the adolescent period. Bisphenol A (BPA) is the most frequently observed endocrine‐disrupting chemicals that we are exposed to in daily life. BPA can affect acne pathogenesis with similar biological activity on androgenic receptors.Aims: To investigate whether BPA levels play a role in the development and severity of acne in adults.Methods: Fifty‐one adults with acne and 50 healthy controls, whose ages varied between 18 and 25 years and applied to our dermatology outpatient clinic, were evaluated. A questionnaire containing dietary and lifestyle habits for BPA exposure was filled. BPA and BPA glucuronides were analyzed in the LC‐MS/MS system in the first‐morning urine samples of the patients. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results: The median levels of total BPA were significantly higher in the acne group compared with the control group (7.94 (4.69–20.32) vs. 5.62 (1.52–21.05) µg/g creatinine, respectively; p = 0.04)). The acne severity was positively associated with the BPA values (p = 0.00 rs = 0.534). Higher BPA level was noticed in younger acne onset age (p = 0.012 r = −0.349) When the inquiry questions were evaluated, no difference was found between the study groups regarding BPA exposure risk (p > 0.05).Conclusion: BPA could be a factor in acne development and its severity. Therefore, it may be beneficial to prevent BPA exposure and raise awareness in the adolescence and post‐adolescence period, in which industrial products such as junk food and plastic bottled water are used more frequently.

Lichen planus follicularis tumidus (LPFT) is an extremely rare variant of lichen planus (LP). Clinically, it is characterized by white-to-yellow milia-like cysts and comedones, and reddish-to-violaceous plaques. Although it is usually asymptomatic, it may be slightly itchy.¹ Its most common location is the retroauricular region, but it has also been rarely described in the bilateral retroauricular area and on the cheeks and neck.^2-4 Histopathology of LPFT shows slightly hyperkeratotic or normal epidermis, which is accompanied by follicles and cysts, filled with orthokeratotic keratin, surrounded by dense lichenoid band-like lymphocytic infiltrate, wedge-shaped hypergranulosis, vacuolar degeneration of the basal zone, pigment incontinence and rare colloid bodies in the papillary dermis.⁴ This characteristic morphology and histopathology of LPFT clearly resembles lichen planopilaris. Here we report a rare case of LPFT concomitant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Introduction: Epidemiological studies have suggested that patients with psoriasis are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Chronic inflammation may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in psoriasis patients. Recent studies have evaluated the expression of plasma endocan and homocysteine levels. Endocan is a marker of vascular endothelial damage, and homocysteine plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Plasma endocan and homocysteine levels, as well as echocardiographic parameters, were evaluated in patients with psoriasis to assess cardiovascular disease risk. Material and methods: This was a prospective cohort analysis of 40 patients who were diagnosed with psoriasis and 40 healthy controls matched to the patient group according to demographic and biochemical parameters. Results: Serum endocan and homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in the psoriasis group than the control group (p < 0.001). Serum endocan concentrations correlated positively with disease duration (p < 0.001; r = 0.725). The Tei index (myocardial performance) was elevated in psoriasis patients (p < 0.001). Additionally, the E/A (mitral valve early diastolic peak flow velocity/mitral valve late diastolic peak flow velocity) and E/Em (early diastolic myocardial velocity) ratios were reduced in psoriasis patients (p < 0.001). Parameters indicative of left ventricular asynchrony were elevated significantly in the psoriasis group versus the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: We observed a substantial increase in serum endocan and homocysteine concentrations, and significant differences in key parameters of cardiac function, in psoriasis patients relative to controls. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that subclinical cardiac damage is increased in patients with psoriasis and that psoriasis itself may be a cardiovascular risk factor.