Ozge Mine Orenay’s research while affiliated with Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital and other places

Introduction: Acne vulgaris (AV) is one of the most common skin disorders, particularly affecting young people and adolescents, who are also widespread users of social media. Objectives: The objectives of this study are to understand why patients seek information about their acne from social media, their perspectives on dermatologists and social media influencers, and how social media sharing affects their views on dermatologists. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 AV patients aged 18-45 who visited the dermatology outpatient clinic of Ankara Training and Research Hospital. Patients were asked to complete a 30-item survey titled "Examination of Acne Patients’ Trust Levels in Social Media Influencers and Dermatologists". The survey was structured to collect data on patients’ social media usage patterns, their sources of information regarding acne (including both dermatologists and social media), and the levels of trust they place in these sources. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Chi-square tests were used for analysis, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Most participants (95%) used social media for information. Eighty-one percent of the participants had a high level of trust in their dermatologist, and 97% of participants said that they would trust the dermatologist if the information from the dermatologists and social media influencers were contradictory, and 67% sought acne information from social media influencers. Instagram was the most preferred platform for this purpose (63%). The most common reason for consulting social media was to get information about cosmetic products (36%). Conclusion: This study found that patients trust dermatologists more than influencers. This makes it important for dermatologists to make informative social media posts on acne. Dermatologists should also reach out to social media influencers and encourage them to share posts by consulting with experts on the topic.

Background Isotretinoin is frequently used for treating severe, treatment-resistant, and scarring acne. A wide range of musculoskeletal side effects are reported due to isotretinoin, and one of them is enthesopathy. Objectives In this study, we used ultrasound to evaluate tendon thickness and the presence of enthesophytes, erosions, calcifications, and bursitis. Overall, the main objective was to determine the effects of isotretinoin on enthesopathy. Methods The study included 30 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris (AV) and on isotretinoin treatment for ≥3 months. Thirty patients with AV without treatment or on topical treatments were included as the control group. In both groups, 5 areas in the lower limb were examined bilaterally for tendon thickness, erosion, calcifications, enthesophytes, and bursitis and compared among themselves. Moreover, the Glasgow Ultrasonographic Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS) scores were also calculated and compared between the 2 groups. Results The quadriceps tendon, distal patellar ligament, and right Achilles tendon thicknesses were statistically higher in the isotretinoin group than in the control group ( P = .02, P = .03, P = .04). The GUESS score was also statistically higher in the isotretinoin group ( P = .02). Conclusion This study showed that isotretinoin has certain effects on tendon thickness. Clinicians should be alert that patients under isotretinoin treatment may develop enthesopathy even with no clinical signs.

Background: Isotretinoin is frequently used for treating severe, treatment-resistant, and scarring acne. A wide range of musculoskeletal side effects are reported due to isotretinoin, and one of them is enthesopathy. Objectives: In this study, we used ultrasound to evaluate tendon thickness and the presence of enthesophytes, erosions, calcifications, and bursitis. Overall, the main objective was to determine the effects of isotretinoin on enthesopathy. Methods: The study included 30 patients diagnosed with acne vulgaris (AV) and on isotretinoin treatment for ≥3 months. Thirty patients with AV without treatment or on topical treatments were included as the control group. In both groups, 5 areas in the lower limb were examined bilaterally for tendon thickness, erosion, calcifications, enthesophytes, and bursitis and compared among themselves. Moreover, the Glasgow Ultrasonographic Enthesitis Scoring System (GUESS) scores were also calculated and compared between the 2 groups. Results: The quadriceps tendon, distal patellar ligament, and right Achilles tendon thicknesses were statistically higher in the isotretinoin group than in the control group (P = .02, P = .03, P = .04). The GUESS score was also statistically higher in the isotretinoin group (P = .02). Conclusion: This study showed that isotretinoin has certain effects on tendon thickness. Clinicians should be alert that patients under isotretinoin treatment may develop enthesopathy even with no clinical signs.

Current evidence indicates that obesity may initiate psoriasis or worsen existing disease. Various factors contribute to the development of obesity, including eating disorders (EDs). The aim of this study was to screen for and identify factors associated with EDs in patients with psoriasis and their impact on the development of obesity in this population. Demographic information including body mass index (BMI), Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition (ASHN), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) scores were statistically analyzed for 82 participants with psoriasis at a tertiary dermatology clinic. It is important to manage obesity and other comorbidities of psoriasis in addition to treating its cutaneous manifestations, which may require a biopsychosocial approach.

Background: Isotretinoin is used to treat severe acne, treatment-resistant moderate acne, and acne that leads to scarring or psychological distress. It has many side effects and is also associated with depression, sleep apnea, and sleep disturbances. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of isotretinoin on depression, sleep apnea, and sleep quality. Methods: A total of 42 patients diagnosed with acne and started isotretinoin treatment were included in the study. In order to compare the effects of isotretinoin, patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire containing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline and third months of treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in BDI, BQ, and PSQI scores between the 1st and 3rd months of treatment (p = .53, p = .5, p = .35). Conclusion: This study showed that isotretinoin had no significant effects on depression and sleep quality.

Introduction Melanocyte dysfunction in vitiligo is considered to be due to genetics, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Research has shown that oxidative stress plays a significant role in triggering these conditions. Currently, there are several markers indicating hematological inflammation and oxidative stress. This study aimed to investigate the status of inflammation and oxidative stress markers in vitiligo. Methods This study included patients with vitiligo and age-gender-matched healthy controls. C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and extent of vitiligo were calculated and compared. Results The study included 138 participants (69 vitiligo and 69 controls). The mean was 41.46 years with a female predominance (55.1%). The patient group demonstrated higher levels of platelets, neutrophils, CRP, NLR, MLR, PLR, and HDL and lower levels of lymphocytes and HDL compared to the control group (p>0,05). The only significantly different value between the groups was MHR (p=0.03). The generalized vitiligo group demonstrated higher levels of platelets, neutrophils, monocytes, CRP, NLR, PLR, and MLR, and lower levels of lymphocytes and HDL compared to the localized group. The only significantly different values between the groups were MHR and MLR (p=0.02, p=0.03). Conclusion This study found that MHR and CRP values were higher in vitiligo patients. Additionally, MHR and MLR values were higher in patients with generalized vitiligo. These results suggest that MHR is a reliable indicator marker for systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in vitiligo

Background: Genital dermatoses contain a group of diseases that affect the skin of the genital area. Genital dermatoses are classified as venereal and nonvenereal. They can affect a patient’s life quality and can cause depression, anxiety and stress. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of life index, depression, stress and anxiety in patients with genital dermatoses. Materials and Methods: Patients admitted to the dermatology outpatient clinic with genital skin complaints between October 2020 and March 2021 were included. A questionnaire including demographic information, a 10-item dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and a 21-item depression anxiety stress score (DASS-21) was filled out by the patients and was calculated. Results: A total of 103 patients were included in this study. Seventy-seven (74.8%) were male and 26 (25.2%) were female. A total of 48.5% (n = 50) patients had venereal genital dermatoses, and 51.5% (n = 53) of the patients had nonvenereal genital dermatoses. In the venereal diseases, syphilis had the highest DLQI, depression, anxiety and stress score while in the nonvenereal diseases, scabies had the highest DLQI, depression, anxiety and stress score. In the nonvenereal group, the mean DLQI score, depression, anxiety and stress scores were statistically significantly higher than the venereal genital dermatoses group (P < 0.01, P = 0.04, P = 0.03 and P = 0.02). Conclusion: The quality of life of patients with genital dermatoses is often poor, with significant levels of depression, anxiety and stress. We believe that screening these patients with DLQI and DASS-21 scores at their first admission and follow-up will benefit dermatologists and patients.

Background Isotretinoin is used to treat severe acne, treatment-resistant moderate acne and acne that leads to scarring or psychological distress. It has many side effects and is also associated with depression, sleep apnea and sleep disturbances. Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of isotretinoin on depression, sleep apnea and sleep quality. Methods A total of 42 patients diagnosed with acne and started isotretinoin treatment were included in the study. At baseline and after three months of treatment, patients filled out a questionnaire containing the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in order to compare the effects of isotretinoin. Results There was no statistically significant difference in BDI, BQ and PSQI scores between week 0 and week 12 of treatment (p = 0.53, p = 0.5, p = 0.035). Conclusion This study showed no association between the use of isotretinoin and depression and sleep quality.

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by recurrent episodes of erythema, telangiectasia and papulopustular lesions. Although the pathogenesis is not well established, growing knowledge suggests that multiple etiological factors play a role resulting in inflammation. The aim of the present study is to investigate inflammatory status of patients with rosacea by evaluating CBC parameters and systemic immune inflammation (SII) index and compare these parameters with control group. Thus, it is aimed to understand the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of the disease. This retrospective, case–control study included 100 patients with rosacea and 58 sex- and age-matched controls. Laboratory examinations including CBC, ESR, CRP, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels were recorded and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and SII index were calculated. Monocyte and platelet count, SII index, ESR and CRP were significantly higher in patients with rosacea than in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found in other parameters. There was no significant correlation between disease severity and ESR, CRP, and SII index. The findings of this study suggest that apart from the inflammatory pathways at the level of skin, there is an inflammatory state in the blood of patients. Rosacea is a skin disease, but it may have systemic implications and/or associations that need to be clarified completely.

Introduction: Due to the increase in COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, the workload of emergency departments has increased. The profile of patients seeking non-COVID medical care has changed significantly because of the pandemic; this includes dermatological emergencies. Objective: The aim was to evaluate and compare adult dermatological emergency consultations during the COVID-19 period with the pre-pandemic period. Methods: Consulted patients from ED to dermatology between March 11, 2019, and March 11, 2021 were included (Pre-pandemic and pandemic). Age, gender, zone of triage, consultation hour, consultation date, consultation response time, ICD-10 codes were recorded. Results: The total number of consultations was 639. The mean age of the patients was 44.4 in the pre-pandemic period and 46.1 in the pandemic period. The mean consultation response time was 44.4 minutes in the pre-pandemic period and 60.3 minutes in the pandemic. In the pre-pandemic period, the most common consulted diseases were herpes zoster, urticaria, and allergic contact dermatitis. During the pandemic, the most common consulted diseases were herpes zoster, other dermatitis, and urticaria. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of other dermatitis, impetigo/folliculitis, cutaneous vasculitis, and pruritus (p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: Emergency departments are the busiest and fastest areas of the hospital. Pandemics such as COVID-19 may also occur in the coming years. Informing society about dermatological emergencies and adding adequate dermatology training to the training of emergency physicians will facilitate appropriate patient management in emergency departments.