Bruce, Alison J.

Background: The regenerative properties of platelet growth factors make platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) an attractive modality for treatment of aging skin. The main objective of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of PRP injections and microneedling compared with saline injections in women with aging skin of the face. Methods: In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 18 women with facial aging were randomized to receive either PRP injections to the unilateral face and saline injections to the contralateral side, or vice versa. Microneedling was performed after injections on the entire face. Physician assessment, photographs, and treatment satisfaction questionnaires were used for outcome assessment at baseline and 16- and 24-week follow-ups. Results: There was no evidence of improvement and suggestion of worsening in skin laxity and rhytides from baseline to weeks 4, 16, and 24 for PRP and saline (all P ≤ 0.004) and no notable difference in skin roughness between baseline and follow-up time points for PRP or saline (all P ≥ 0.19). The degree of change in skin laxity, rhytides, and skin roughness from baseline to follow-up time points was similar for PRP and saline. All patients experienced some degree of pain/discomfort and burning/stinging sensation at treatment weeks 4, 8, and 12 for both saline and PRP. Conclusions: PRP injections did not seem to be effective for treatment of aging skin of the face in women, with no notable macroscopic improvement in appearance when compared with baseline or saline injections. Advanced age of study participants (>45 years) and less-sensitive methods of evaluation may be potential contributing factors to the lack of detected response.

Background: The presence of various growth factors in platelets makes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) a powerful tool in the stimulation of collagen regeneration in aging skin. The main objective of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of PRP compared with saline solution in women with aging skin of the hands. Methods: In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, 18 women with hand aging received PRP injections every 4 weeks into the unilateral dorsal hand for 12 weeks total; with saline injections into the contralateral hand in a randomized, controlled, single-blind fashion. Physician assessment, photographs, and quality-of-life questionnaires were used for assessment at baseline and at 12-week and 24-week follow-up. Results: The majority of patients reported pain and discomfort along with a burning/stinging sensation in both PRP- and saline-treated hands, with no significant differences noted in any patient outcome measures between the 2 treatments (all P ≥ 0.25). No differences were reliably detected between the treatment hands by a blinded investigator comparing before-and-after clinical photographs of the hands. Conclusions: Three injections of PRP spaced 4 weeks apart did not appear to be effective for treatment of aging skin of the hands in women, with no noted difference as compared with baseline, or saline injection. Although age older than 45 years may be a factor accounting for nonresponse (ie, subtle skin changes are difficult to appreciate, and possible limited platelet regenerative capacity in advanced age), it appears that PRP is not a reliable cosmetic option for management of hand aging. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

BACKGROUNDAndrogenic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disorder. Studies have demonstrated successful treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in men, but studies in women are few.OBJECTIVETo evaluate PRP in the treatment of AGA in women, compared with topical minoxidil.MATERIALS AND METHODSTwenty women with AGA received topical minoxidil for 12 weeks and injectable PRP for 12 weeks in a randomized crossover design with an 8-week washout between treatments. Standardized TrichoScan analysis and quality-of-life questionnaires were assessed at baseline and 12-week follow-up for each treatment.RESULTSAfter PRP, significant increases from baseline to Week 12 in TrichoScan analysis hair count (p= .002) and vellus hair density (p= .009) occurred. However, minoxidil resulted in significant increases in hair count (p< .001), vellus hair density (p= .03), terminal hair density (p= .004), and cumulative thickness (p= .004). Several quality of life responses improved from baseline to Week 12 after PRP treatment, whereas no improvements were noted after minoxidil.CONCLUSIONPlatelet-rich plasma is an effective treatment for hair regrowth in female AGA, although not as effective as minoxidil. However, the improved quality of life responses after PRP, but not minoxidil, suggest a potential overall greater degree of satisfaction with PRP.LEVELS OF EVIDENCEI.CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATIONNCT03488108.

AbstractBackgroundBurning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a disorder characterized by chronic mouth pain in the absence of objective clinical abnormalities. Vitamin or mineral deficiencies may have a role in BMS, but data regarding the prevalence and relevance of hematinic deficiencies are conflicting. We aimed to determine the frequency of specific laboratory abnormalities in patients with BMS.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the results of screening blood tests in patients with BMS at our institution between January 2003 and December 2013.ResultsAmong 659 patients with BMS, the most common decreased values or deficiencies were vitamin D3 (15%), vitamin B2 (15%), vitamin B6 (5.7%), zinc (5.7%), vitamin B1 (5.3%), thyrotropin (TSH) (3.2%), vitamin B12 (0.8%), and folic acid (0.7%). Laboratory values for fasting blood glucose and TSH were increased in 23.7% and 5.2%, respectively.ConclusionsIn patients with symptoms of BMS, our results suggest it is reasonable to screen for fasting blood glucose, vitamin D (D2 and D3), vitamin B6, zinc, vitamin B1, and TSH. Deficiencies of vitamin B12 and folic acid were rare (<1% abnormal).

AbstractBackgroundThe pemphigus group is characterized by the presence of circulating immunoglobulins against desmosomes. IgG/IgA pemphigus is defined by the presence of IgG and IgA cell surface deposits upon direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and/or circulating IgG and IgA autoantibodies upon indirect immunofluorescence. Previous reports of patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus are sparse. Whether IgG/IgA pemphigus is best classified as a subtype of IgG (classic) pemphigus or IgA pemphigus, or as a distinct entity, has yet to be determined.ObjectivesWe compared the features of patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus to those of IgG pemphigus and IgA pemphigus.MethodsRetrospective clinicopathologic study of patients with IgG, IgG/IgA, and IgA pemphigus evaluated at our clinic (1993–2013).ResultsWe included 26, 13, and seven patients with IgG, IgG/IgA, and IgA pemphigus, respectively. Patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus did not differ significantly from patients with IgG pemphigus in terms of clinical and microscopic features, DIF findings, anti‐desmoglein antibody values, and treatments required. However, patients with IgG/IgA pemphigus were significantly different from patients with IgA pemphigus regarding intertriginous distribution (P = 0.038) and pustular lesions (P < 0.001), acantholysis (P = 0.043), and presence of intercellular C3 deposits on DIF (P < 0.001).ConclusionComparative clinicopathologic data imply that IgG/IgA pemphigus may best be regarded as a variant of IgG pemphigus and distinct from IgA pemphigus.

Background Patients with a sore or burning mouth associated with clinically normal oral mucosa present a difficult diagnostic challenge. Objective The objective of this study was to assess the value of patch testing in patients with burning mouth syndrome. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the results of patch testing to an oral series in patients with burning mouth syndrome seen at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, between January 2000 and April 2006. Results Of 195 consecutive patients with a burning or sore mouth, 75 had patch testing to an oral series, and 28 of these patients (37.3%) had allergic patch test reactions. The most common allergens were nickel sulfate hexahydrate 2.5%, balsam of Peru, and gold sodium thiosulfate 0.5%. On follow-up, 15 patients reported improvement, 4 removed or avoided the offending dental metal, and 6 avoided the dietary allergen. Thirteen patients did not improve; 6 avoided identified allergens, but without improvement; 1 removed dental metals without symptom change; and 5 avoided test-positive dietary allergens but without improvement. The remaining 7 nonresponders had nonrelevant patch test results or did not avoid allergens. Conclusions Patch testing can identify patients who may be allergic to dental metals or dietary additives and who may benefit from removal or avoidance of these.