Patients and Methods: Patients were included at 163 dermatological centers selleck compound if they either had been treated continuously with FAE for at least 24 months, or for 36 months with interruptions of no longer than 6 months. Data were reported from baseline, after 3,
6, 12, 24, and 36 or more months of therapy. Safety parameters were monitored and the severity of skin symptoms was assessed by “”Physician’s Global Assessment”" (PGA) and “”Psoriasis Area and Severity Index”" (PASI).
Results: 984 patients were included with a mean duration of 44 months of continuous treatment. The percentage of patients documented as markedly improved or clear was 67 % after six months, selleck kinase inhibitor 78 % after 24 months, and 82 % after 36 months of therapy. Improvement was similar in patients with moderate and severe disease. Changes of laboratory parameters were usually insignificant and did not require a modification of FAE treatment in more than 90 % of the cases.
Conclusions: In the long-term treatment of patients with moderate and severe psoriasis FAE show a good and sustained
clinical efficacy combined with a favorable safety profile.”
“Objectives: To report 4 cases of cocaine-related purpura and to review previously reported cases of levamisole, levamisole-contaminated cocaine, and cocaine-induced vasculopathy.
Methods: We describe 4 patients suspected of vasculopathy associated with levamisole-tainted cocaine use. A retrospective review of the literature was performed using the PubMed, PubJet, MD consult, and Cochrane review databases.
Results: Four cases (2 females and 2 males), 46 to 55 years of age, presented with cocaine-related purpura, mainly affecting the ears, neutropenia, and autoantibodies. Skin biopsies revealed a mixed pattern of leukocytoclastic vasculitis and microvascular thrombosis in 2 cases, and pure thrombosis in the third case. The mixed vasculopathic pattern in association with neutropenia, both known adverse effects of levamisole, and levamisole positivity in 2 cases point to this compound as the true
etiologic agent in our patients. Eleven cases of levamisole-contaminated cocaine-induced vasculopathy have Nepicastat price been described in the English literature. Among these, 10 were females. Age range was 22 to 57 years. Urine levamisole positivity was tested and confirmed in 3 of the 11 cases. The clinical characteristics, laboratory features, histology, treatment, and recovery rates were compared for the published cases of levamisole, levamisole-contaminated cocaine, and cocaine-induced vasculopathy.
Conclusions: Adulterated cocaine abuse is an increasingly recognized phenomenon in North America. Levamisole is among the many contaminants that have been detected in seized cocaine throughout North America and Europe.