PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Anna Wojas-Pelc

Publications and source records attributed to Anna Wojas-Pelc.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Eosinophilic fasciitis--current database].

For the first time eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) was described by Shulman. It occurs predominantly in young men, rarely in older women and sporadically in children. The illness was characterised by swelling of the extremities, skin changes, myalgia, and elevation of the peripheral blood eosinophils count and hypergammaglobulinemia. It is followed by rapidly progressive cutaneous and subcutaneous indurations. The histopathologic examination of affected skin shows thickening of the fascia, deep dermal fibrosis and infiltration mainly consists of lymphocytes, plasmocytes, eosinophils. It is suggested that the cells from infiltration induce fibrosis. The tryptophan disturbance has significant influence on development of EF in predisposed persons. Eosinophilic fasciitis is classified into wide spectrum of scleroderma disorders by many authors. The authors tried to show differences between EF, morphea and systemic scleroderma.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2003

[Comparison of basic knowledge of symptomatology and risk factors of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases among young males].

The so-called sexually transmitted diseases (STD) are the ones in which the transmission of pathogenic factors is mostly caused by sexual intercourse. Every year 333 million of documented new cases of STD occur all over the world. Due to an increase of incidence of STD, which was observed in the Province of Małopolska, the authors decided to check the knowledge of basic clinical symptoms and risk factors of transmission of venereal diseases. A group of 104 soldiers (quartered in military bases in Cracow) and a group of 41 medical students (the 1st and the 2nd year of medical studies at the CMUJ in Cracow) were included in the analysis. The investigated population was exclusively consisting of men, aged 19-25. The authors used their own questionnaire consisting of 25 multiple-choice questions. The result of the research revealed a very poor knowledge of basic clinical symptoms and risk factors of STD in both analysed groups. It implies the necessity of conducting educational activities on prophylaxis, risk factors and symptomatology of venereal diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Eosinophilic fasciitis--current knowledge].

First time eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) was described by Shulman. It occurrences predominantly in young men, rarely older women, sporadic in children. The illness was characterised by swelling of the extremities, skin changes, myalgia, and elevation of the peripheral blood eosinophil count and hypergammaglobulinemia. It is followed by rapidly progressive cutaneous and subcutaneous induration. The histopathologic examination in the region of affected skin shows thickening of the fascia, deep dermal fibrosis and infiltration mainly consists of lymphocytes, plasmocytes, eosinphils. It is suggested that the cells from infiltration induce fibrosis. The tryptophan disturbance has significant influence on development of EF in predisposed persons. Eosinophilic fasciitis is classified to wide spectrum of scleroderma disorders by many authors. The authors tried to show differences between EF, morphea and systemic scleroderma.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMed2003

[Nickel allergy in contact and atopic dermatitis].

The study is aimed to determine the importance of type I and type IV allergy in eczema caused by allergy to nickel. The study was performed at 55 patients (42 women, 13 men, aged 16-58 yrs) suffering from hand dermatitis (19 cases), disseminated eczema (22 cases) and atopic dermatitis (14 cases) with positive skin patch test to 2.5% nickel sulphate. In each patients history of illness was analyzed, total serum IgE level (tIgE) was estimated and specific IgE (sIgE) for nickel and also absolute blood eosinophils and basophils counts were estimated for the evaluation of the atopy features. In each patient patch skin test with different nickel sulphate dilutions were performed as well as skin prick tests with different dilutions of nickel sulphate. The following oral provocation tests were carried out with the nickel sulphate in doses 0.56 mg, 1.12 mg, 2.24 mg, 5.6 mg and 11.2 mg. The test was stopped at the dose provoking the symptoms of illness. Positive family history, the increased tIgE serum level as well as absolute counts of eosinophils and basophils were present in some patients with atopic and contact dermatitis and they were not useful in differential diagnosis of this forms of skin allergy. Skin patch test with different concentrations of nickel sulphate was helpful to establish the degree of contact sensitivity in all patients. The oral provocation test with different dose of nickel sulphate also provoked symptoms in some patients in each observed groups, but the reaction to the lowest dose was observed only in patients with atopic dermatitis. Specific IgE to nickel as well as skin prick testing also with different dilutions of nickel sulphate are not useful in the diagnosis of nickel allergy. In the all examined patients they were negative. It seems that both types of allergy (type I and IV) may take part in the patho-mechanism of atopic and contact skin allergy with alternate prevalence of one of its depending on patient condition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Dermatomyositis and polymyositis: the attempt to differentiate and literature review].

Dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) are diseases displaying the symptoms of the idiopathic muscle inflammation (IZM). The skin lesions are visible most often 3 months to 3 years prior to appearance of the muscle inflammatory process. A frequent coexistence of DM with internal organ neoplasms obliges doctors to diagnose their patients quickly. The knowledge of skin lesions allows to begin this diagnosis earlier and to initiate proper therapy. Based on the latest medical literature, the authors present: the actual classification of the idiopathic muscle inflammation, the attempt to differentiate between DM and PM regarding prognostic factors and therapy possibilities based on conducted world trials.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed2002

[Topical corticosteroids in dermatology--advantages and side effects].

In the article, the authors have presented the crucial stages of scientific research concerning topical steroids which contribute to reduce undesirable side effects and to improve the therapeutic index. Attention has been paid to the variety of factors which influence the absorption of steroids by the skin (kinds of drugs, their forms, types of dressing, regions of the skin, time of application). The mechanism of antiinflammatory, antipruritic and antiproliferation actions of steroids, conditioning their topical therapeutic effect, has been given. A four- and seven-graded classification, which takes into consideration the force of action of the topical steroids and is helpful in the daily medical practice, has been mentioned. There have been also listed most common systemic complications and especially the effects of chronic topical application of steroids on the skin.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2002

[Clinical types of acanthosis nigricans].

Acanthosis nigricans is a rare disease, occurring with the same frequency in females and males. Eight clinically practical types of this disease have been presented. Authors also observed a coexistence of this disease with neoplasms, which obligates doctors to perform more accurate diagnosis of the patient. The clinically practical scale of the intensification of skin lesions in acanthosis nigricans has been also presented. This scale is helpful in therapy monitoring.

Acanthosis Nigricans↗
PubMed2002

[Psoriasis and cardio-vascular disorders].

Psoriasis is one of the most frequent skin diseases. It occurs in adult people with a frequency 2-3%. Psoriasis is a systemic disease with immunologic and genetic determinants. Micro and macro vascular disorders are important for pathogenesis of psoriasis. Authors attempt to show a current scientific statement of pathogenetic mechanisms in psoriasis with special consideration of factors involving cardiovascular abnormalities. In consecutive steps described are associations between psoriasis and arterial hypertension from etiological, pathological and epidemiological point of view. In the same order are reviewed the junctions of psoriasis and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, as well as coagulative and heart valves abnormalities.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2002

[Presence of the antinuclear antibodies and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi among patients with morphea en plaque, deep linear scleroderma and atrophoderma Pasini-Pierini].

Circumscribed scleroderma belongs to the groups of the diseases characterized by fibrosis of the skin and the deeper tissue. According to the published data, 47% to 76% patients with circumscribed scleroderma present antinuclear antibodies (ANA) as well as antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi which is believed to be causative factor of the disease. The study was conducted in the group of 50 consecutive patients with circumscribed sclerosis (en plaque, deep linear, atrophoderma Pasini-Pierini). Antinuclear antibodies were detected in 18% of the patients in the titer of 1:40 to 1:320. There was statistically significant correlation between activity of the disease and extensiveness of the skin lesions as well as location on the lower extremities although there was no correlation to the clinical symptoms of the disease. In 28.5% of the patients we found antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi with any correlation to the type of localized scleroderma or its activity. The role of the ANA with no distinctive specificity and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in the localized scleroderma is still unclear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Familial Darier disease and mental retardation in mother and her two sons].

Darier disease (DD) is an uncommon genetic skin disorder, which begins in adolescence or early adult life. This disease is observed more often among men and where the disease course is more severe. Many dermatologists observe in patients with DD neuropsychiatric disorders: psychosis, depression and rare mental retardation. We present familial DD in a mother and her two sons. Men demonstrated a typical onset and course of the disease. The onset of the disease in the 52nd year of age and the skin lesions (more characteristic for the Lyell disease) which occurred suddenly in women, were atypical. Besides skin lesions, mental retardation with a various degree of intensity was observed in all three patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Cutaneous changes occurring after taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs--five-years' retrospective studies].

In the last years we can observe an increase incidence of dermatoses after drug administration, which later require specialistic help and hospitalization. It especially concerns with nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (considering their widespread application, possibility of purchasing them without prescription and large media advertising. The authors of this article wanted to present the significance of this problem analysing a group of patients at the Department of Dermatology in Cracow in the years 1997-2001. Attention was paid to a variety of cutaneous changes after they had been treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). The dermatoses which are not commonly considered as drug related, have also been presented. In general, medical documentation of 193 patients being suspected of having symptoms of drug related character of cutaneous changes were presented. The given drug was recognized as being the cause of disease development based on the method recommended by the French Surveillance Network. In 31 patients a connection of the cutaneous changes with NSAID administration was proved. In the analysed group of patients, women dominated (61.3%), the mean age of the examined patients was 42 years. The increase in occurrence frequency of dermatoses after taking NSAID was observed in regard to all the hospitalized patients (from 0.48% in the year 1997 to 0.99% in the year 2001). From among the drugs responsible for causing cutaneous changes which required hospitalization, aspirin took the first place, pyralgin the second, and paracetamol the third one. Urticaria prevailed in cutaneous changes after having taken NSAID. More rarely other cutaneous changes, like erythema multiforme or drug induced exanthema, took place. The fact that various drugs often cause similar cutaneous changes and even the same drug can provoke different morphological reactions makes the diagnostic process of the described dermatoses extremely difficult.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed2002

[Esophageal scintigraphy in patients with systemic sclerosis: clinical symptoms correlated with the esophagus noted by the patients].

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix. About 90% of the patients with SSc have detectable gastrointestinal tract involvement, 50% of these patients have clinically important manifestations. The aim of the study was estimation of the connection between subjective symptoms from the esophagus and results of the esophageal scintigraphy. 30 patients with systemic sclerosis were comprised to the study. Esophageal scintigraphy was performed in each patients, as well as questionnaire about type, intensity and frequency of esophageal dysmotility. Also it estimated was stiffness of the skin according to modified Rodnan score. Independent of esophageal dysmotility symptoms which were noted by patients, esophageal scintigraphy registered changes in 97% of the patients. The most often esophageal dysmotility was observed in lower part of the esophagus. Statistically Dysmolity of the central portion of the esophagus was observed more often in patients with diagnosed ISSc.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Heart structure and function in systemic sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disorder characterised by connective tissue fibrosing with vascular abnormalities and autoimmune changes. Heart involvement is one of the main factors shortening the survival of SSc patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: (1) To assess structural and pathophysiological changes of the heart in SSc patients in standard echocardiographic examination. (2) To evaluate regional systolic and diastolic left ventricle disturbances in SSc patients by means of Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 19 SSc women aged 22-72 years and 16 control healthy women aged 19-57 years M-Mode, 2D, Continuous Doppler, Colour Doppler and Tissue Doppler examinations were performed. Tissue Doppler myocardial velocities in systole and early diastole were evaluated in 14 myocardial segments in parasternal and apical views. RESULTS: No significant differences between both groups in left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic diameter, LV wall thickness, valvular structure was observed. Mitral E/A ratio was significantly decreased in SSc women (p < 0.001), and pulmonary systolic pressure was significantly increased in this group (p < 0.001). In TDI examination no significant difference between the groups in systolic myocardial velocity was found. In SSc women early diastolic velocities were significantly lower than in controls (p < 0.00001). The detailed assessment of diastolic function in SSc group showed severe diastolic dysfunction of longitudinal myocardial fibers with normal function of circumflex myocardial fibers. CONCLUSIONS: In SSc patients significant left ventricle diastolic dysfunction was found. Diastolic dysfunction was observed only in longitudinal myocardial fibres and was not found in circumflex myocardial fibres. Thus, myocardial fibrosing and ischemia in SSc patients seem to be concentrated in the subendocardial region built by longitudinal muscle layer. Left ventricle diameter, walls thickness and systolic function in SSc patients are preserved.

Adult↗