scholarly journals Urinary melatonin levels in children with atopic dermatitis and healthy controls

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwi Ratna Adisty ◽  
Iskandar Zulkarnain ◽  
Diah Mira Indramaya
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Allergic Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Pediatric Dermatology ◽  
Cross Sectional

Melatonin an important immunomodulatory molecule in allergic diseases. Melatonin also plays a role in several body systems including to regulate circadian rhythms because of its role to cause drowsiness. Research shows in the case of atopic dermatitis (AD) circadian production of melatonin is reduced compared to healthy controls. This study aimed to investigate the differences of urinary melatonin levels between children with AD and healthy controls, and its relationship with disease severity. A cross sectional study was conducted in pediatric dermatology division of our outpatient clinic. Severity of AD was determined by using the instruments Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD). Urinary melatonin levels were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The urinary melatonin levels in AD group were not significantly lower than in healthy controls (P =0.98 P<0.05) but the means show lower levels of urinary melatonin levels in AD group (486.73 ± 292.13 pg/ml , 611.51 ± 280.45 pg/ml, respectively). There were no significant association between urinary melatonin levels and disease severity (P > 0.05) but there’s a tendency of decreased urinary melatonin with increased the severity of AD.

scholarly journals Factors influencing quality of life in children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers: a cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaomeng Xu ◽  
Louise Sandra van Galen ◽  
Mark Jean Aan Koh ◽  
Ram Bajpai ◽  
Steven Thng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing

Abstract Better understanding of atopic dermatitis’ effect on quality of life could enhance current management and therapeutic strategies. Studies investigating factors related to the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers are limited. This cross-sectional study included 559 children (<16 years) with atopic dermatitis and their caregivers. Disease severity was associated with infants’ HRQOL (moderate: IRR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.20–1.67; severe: IRR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.32–2.24). Age and disease severity were associated with children’s HRQOL (age: IRR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–1.00; moderate: IRR: 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14). Quality of life subdomains itching/scratching, emotional distress and sleep disturbance were most reported and increased with higher disease severity. Both caregivers’ mental and physical health were negatively affected by children’s HRQOL (physical: IRR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.00; mental: IRR: 0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99). Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, ethnicity, educational attainment of carers, number of children) did not demonstrate significance in children’s HRQOL model. In conclusion, current atopic dermatitis diagnostics and treatment have to be extended to the factors influencing both children’ as their caregivers’ quality of life and adapting management accordingly. Itching/scratching, emotional distress and sleep disturbance deserve attention. Sociodemographic characteristics in children’s HRQOL models also merit attention in further research.

scholarly journals Serum calprotectin as new biomarker for disease severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a cross-sectional study in two independent cohorts

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Machahua ◽  
Sabina A. Guler ◽  
Michael P. Horn ◽  
Lurdes Planas-Cerezales ◽  
Ana Montes-Worboys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Validation Cohort ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Derivation Cohort

BackgroundNon-invasive biomarkers for the assessment of disease severity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are urgently needed. Calprotectin belongs to the S-100 proteins produced by neutrophils, which likely contribute to IPF pathogenesis. Calprotectin is a well-established biomarker in inflammatory bowel diseases. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to establish the potential role of calprotectin as a biomarker in IPF. Specifically, we hypothesised that patients with IPF have higher serum calprotectin levels compared with healthy controls, and that calprotectin levels are associated with disease severity.MethodsBlood samples were obtained from healthy volunteers (n=26) and from two independent IPF cohorts (derivation cohort n=26, validation cohort n=66). Serum calprotectin levels were measured with a commercial kit adapted for that purpose and compared between healthy controls and patients with IPF. Clinical parameters, including forced vital capacity, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the Composite Physiologic Index (CPI), were correlated with calprotectin serum levels.ResultsThe IPF derivation cohort showed increased serum calprotectin levels compared with healthy controls (2.47±1.67 vs 0.97±0.53 µg/mL, p<0.001). In addition, serum calprotectin levels correlated with DLCO% predicted (r=−0.53, p=0.007) and with CPI (r=0.66, p=0.007). These findings were confirmed in an independent IPF validation cohort.ConclusionSerum calprotectin levels are significantly increased in patients with IPF compared with healthy controls and correlate with DLCO and CPI. Calprotectin might be a potential new biomarker for disease severity in IPF.

scholarly journals Cow’s milk exposure and atopic dermatitis after six months of age

2017 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 325
Author(s):  
Surya Jayanti Kadek ◽  
Dewi Kumara Wati Ketut ◽  
Karyana Putu Gede
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Maternal Diet ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cow’S Milk ◽  
Milk Formula ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cow's Milk ◽  
Study Population

Background About 60% of individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) develop their first manifestation during infancy. Cow’s milk (CM) exposure is considered to be a risk factor for AD.Objective To evaluate for an association between cow’s milk exposure and atopic dermatitis in infants > 6 months of age.  Methods This cross-sectional study consisted of subjects from a previous study and new subjects recruited in order to meet the minimum required number of subjects. Our study population comprised 120 infants, born between 1 February and 30 November, 2012 in Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. Subjects were divided into CM and non-CM groups and analyzed for their risk of AD. Subjects were included to CM group if they were fed with cow’s milk/formula  and included to non-CM group if they were breastfeed exclusively in the first six months of life. Other possible risk factors were assessed by multivariate analysis. Results One hundred twenty subjects were enrolled and analyzed (59 in the CM and 61 in the non-CM groups). The prevalence of AD was 30%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between CM exposure and AD, with odds ratio (OR) 2.37 (95%CI 1.036 to 5.420; P=0.04). In addition, maternal diet including eggs and/or cow’s milk during the breastfeeding period was significantly associated with AD in infants (OR 3.18; 95%CI 1.073 to 9.427; P=0.04).Conclusion Cow’s milk exposure is significantly associated with atopic dermatitis in infants  > six months of age. 

Central neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis is associated with impaired innocuous thermal pathways and neuronal hyperexcitability

Pain Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Rivel ◽  
Anat Achiron ◽  
Mark Dolev ◽  
Yael Stern ◽  
Gaby Zeilig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Sensory Testing ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Central Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Body Regions ◽  
Thermal Grill Illusion

Abstract Objective About a third of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from chronic and excruciating central neuropathic pain (CNP). The mechanism underlying CNP in MS is not clear, since previous studies are scarce and their results are inconsistent. Our aim was to determine whether CNP in MS is associated with impairment of the spinothalamic-thalamocortical pathways (STTCs) and/or increased excitability of the pain system. Design Cross sectional study Setting General hospital Subjects 47 MS patients with CNP, 42 MS patients without CNP, and 32 healthy controls. Methods Sensory testing included the measurement of temperature, pain, and touch thresholds and the thermal grill illusion (TGI) for evaluating STTCs function, and hyperpathia and allodynia as indicators of hyperexcitability. CNP was characterized using interviews and questionnaires. Results The CNP group had higher cold and warm thresholds (p &lt; 0.01), as well as higher TGI perception thresholds (p &lt; 0.05), especially in painful body regions compared to controls, whereas touch and pain thresholds values were normal. The CNP group also had a significantly greater prevalence of hyperpathia and allodynia. Regression analysis revealed that whereas presence of CNP was associated with a higher cold threshold, CNP intensity, and the number of painful body regions were associated with allodynia and hyperpathia, respectively. Conclusions CNP in MS is characterized by a specific impairment of STTC function; the innocuous thermal pathways, and by pain hyperexcitability. Whereas CNP presence is associated with STTC impairment, its severity and extent are associated with pain hyperexcitability. Interventions that reduce excitability level may therefore mitigate CNP severity.

scholarly journals Sensorimotor and body perception assessments of nonspecific chronic low back pain: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Meier ◽  
C. Emch ◽  
C. Gross-Wolf ◽  
F. Pfeiffer ◽  
A. Meichtry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sensorimotor System ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Clinical Tests ◽  
Body Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract Background Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders, causing significant personal and social burden. Current research is focused on the processes of the central nervous system (particularly the sensorimotor system) and body perception, with a view to developing new and more efficient ways to treat chronic low back pain (CLBP). Several clinical tests have been suggested that might have the ability to detect alterations in the sensorimotor system. These include back-photo assessment (BPA), two-point discrimination (TPD), and the movement control tests (MCT). The aim of this study was to determine whether the simple clinical tests of BPA, TPD or MCT are able to discriminate between nonspecific CLBP subjects with altered body perception and healthy controls. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. At one point in time, 30 subjects with CLBP and 30 healthy controls were investigated through using BPA, TPD and MCT on the lower back. Correlations among the main covariates and odds ratios for group differences were calculated. Results MCT showed an odds ratio for the presence of CLBP of 1.92, with a statistically significant p-value (0.049) and 95%CI. The TPD and BPA tests were unable to determine significant differences between the groups. Conclusions Of the three tests investigated, MCT was found to be the only suitable assessment to discriminate between nonspecific CLBP subjects and healthy controls. The MCT can be recommended as a simple clinical tool to detect alterations in the sensorimotor system of nonspecific CLBP subjects. This could facilitate the development of tailored management strategies for this challenging LBP subgroup. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the potential of all the tests to detect alterations in the sensorimotor system of CLBP subjects. Trial registration No trial registration was needed as the study contains no intervention. The study was approved by the Swiss Ethics Commission of Northwest and Central Switzerland (EKNZ) reference number 2015–243.

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