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Biomedical subjects

J C Guillaume

Publications and source records attributed to J C Guillaume.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Corticosteroid-resistant pyoderma gangrenosum associated with Crohn's disease: rapid cure with infliximab.

A 41-year-old woman with Crohn's disease had a severe and rapidly extensive corticosteroid-resistant pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) of the leg. She had been treated 2 years previously with antibiotics and surgery for a similar lesion of the back of the hand which had been diagnosed as a fulminating infection. Infliximab 5 mg/kg was given at weeks 0, 5 and 9. A dramatic response was observed within 72 h with a favourable effect persisting for 4 weeks after each infliximab infusion. A complete healing was achieved at week 11. This case illustrates that (1). PG of the hand is frequently misdiagnosed as an infection and treated with inappropriate therapies; (2). infliximab may be an interesting alternative in corticosteroid-resistant PG associated with Crohn's disease.

Adult↗

[Intraepithelial capillary hemangioma?].

INTRODUCTION: Histological examination of a biopsy of a lesion of the glans penis revealed blood capillaries within the malpighian epithelium. CASE REPORT: A 66 year-old man exhibited two circumscribed red plaques of the glans penis following posthectomy. Their histological examination revealed blood capillaries within the epithelium without basal membrane and pericytes between the endothelial cells and keratinocytes. Further evolution was towards lichen planus of the genital mucous membranes. In spite of a verrucous carcinoma which had been surgically removed, the evolution within a follow-up time of 6 years was favorable. DISCUSSION: Blood capillaries ascending in the epithelium of the genital mucous membranes have been observed in a special variant of Zoon's balanitis, the lichenoid, telangiectatic and purpuric balanitis described by Jonquières in 1971. In our patient exhibiting a lichen planus of the glans penis, the occurrence of blood vessels in the malpighian layer of the epithelium may be interpreted as the consequence of an unusual epithelial and vascular regeneration of an erosive lichenoid lesion. It may also be interpreted as an original neoplasia, and could therefore be considered as a genital intraepithelial capillary hemangioma.

Aged↗

[Antiviral and non-antiviral general treatments for oro-facial and genital herpes (pregnancy and neonates excluded)].

General treatments for immunocompetent individuals with herpes simplex infections are based on the use of antiviral agents which constitute the only treatment with proven efficacy. Antivirals were developed in the 1980s with aciclovir (ACV) as the leading compound and have greatly changed management. However, once the virus has penetrated the organism, it cannot be eradicated, neither by the immune system nor by antiviral agents. This viral resistance is basically related to its capacity to maintain itself in a latent form in the sensorial ganglions. ACV is the first line treatment, used since the 1980s; other antiviral agents are also available.

Acyclovir↗

[Allergic contact dermatitis to the Comfeel hydrocolloid dressing].

INTRODUCTION: Allergic contact dermatitis is frequent in patients with chronic leg ulcers. However, it rarely occurs with modern wound dressings and is exceptional with hydrocolloids. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old woman was treated for a leg ulcer with the Comfeel plus(R) transparent hydrocolloid dressing for two months. She developed a pruriginous, erythematous and vesiculous dermatitis under the hydrocolloid plaques. Patch tests for the Comfeel plus(R) transparent hydrocolloid, the Comfeel plus(R) hydrocolloid, balsam of Peru and epoxy resin were positive. Only the positive test for the Comfeel plus(R) transparent hydrocolloid was clinically pertinent. The histological examination of the positive test was suggestive of eczema. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, allergic contact dermatitis to Comfeel plus(R) hydrocolloid dressings has not been reported. Most previous studies which included systematic patch-testings in patients with leg ulcers showed high sensitization rates for various allergens, but no allergy to hydrocolloids. Only isolated cases of allergic contact dermatitis to another hydrocolloid (Duoderm E(R)) have been reported. Our case report shows that allergic contact dermatitis is a possible side-effect of Comfeel plus(R) hydrocolloid dressings. However, it seems exceptional. Since the patch-tests failed to identify the constituent responsible for this allergy in our observation, comprehensive allergologic investigations should be repeated in further cases.

Aged↗

[Dermatological consultation behind bars: an analysis on a three-year period in a French prison].

BACKGROUND: Since 1994, health care in French prisons is managed by the public hospital system. The hospitals created ambulatory consultation units for prisons and detention centers. Skin problems rapidly became a frequent reason for consultation. This is the first systematic assessment of needs concerning dermatological consultation in prisons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A monthly dermatology consultation was established at the Colmar detention center in May 1996. We reviewed the files of all prisoners who attended between May 1996 and May 1999. Data collected concerned motivation for the consultation, drug use and serology for HIV and hepatitic C virus. RESULTS: There were 280 consultations for 180 prisoners. All were men, mean age 30 years, who represented 16% of the total prisoner population. Most consulted for one or more benign skin conditions. The two most frequent conditions were acne (29%) and mycoses (13%). Drug use was found in 36% of the consulting prisoners (64/180). One was HIV-positive. Hepatitis C virus serology was positive in 19% of those tested (28/149), and in 39% of the drug users and 2% of the non-drug users. Motivation for consultation did not differ between drug users and non users, neither between seropositive and seronegative patients for hepatitis C virus. DISCUSSION: This survey confirms the demand for dermatology consultation in the prison population and points out the frequency of hepatitis C virus in prisoners. A monthly specialized consultation was able to meet the basic demands concerning dermatology. Adapted management of hepatitis C virus in the prison population setting remains a difficult challenge.

Adolescent↗

[How many patients?].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

[Managing chronic wounds. Knowledge and practice of nurses].

BACKGROUND: Recommendations on chronic wound management have greatly evolved during the last years. Practice in the medical units of the Civil Hospital of Colmar (France) appears to controversy these recommendations. Since nurses have a central place in such cares, we conducted a management audit among those working in different departments, before organising an educational program. METHODS: One hundred and ten nurses (20 p. 100), randomly selected among the 546 concerned by chronic wounds working in the hospital were invited to participate in this audit composed of 23 questions. RESULTS: Participation rate was 72 p. 100. Response rates were higher than 80 p. 100 for 18 of 23 questions. The percentages below are those of the expressed answers. For 58 p. 100 of nurses executing the care after medical prescription, 31 p. 100 did so without medical advice and 11 p. 100 in collaboration with a doctor. Five and 14 p. 100 respectively knew all the classical clinical characteristics of venous and arterial leg ulcers. Some important risk factors for pressure sores were not well known, and only 15 p. 100 of nurses regularly used an evaluation scale of this risk. The massage-kneading of a stage I pressure ulcer was practiced by 49 p. 100 of nurses. Depending on the questions, 64 to 82 p. 100 of them routinely used antiseptics, and 82 p. 100 thought it was more important than compression for the healing of a venous leg ulcer. In more than one third of the answers, the dressing of a chronic wound was described as sterile. Finally, if an average knowledge of hydrocolloids was observed, there was little on alginates, foams and hydrogels, with a majority of nurses avoiding to answer these questions. COMMENTS: Although important is the management of chronic wounds, basic knowledge was insufficient to hope for the nurses' collaboration. Prevention policy of pressure sores was not optimal. There were discrepancies between local practices and actual knowledge. Knowledge of new dressings was inadequate, and there was a risk for limited clinical benefit. We believe the results would have been similar if the audit had conducted among the doctors. Hense, a vast educational program has been initiated.

Chronic Disease↗

[Severe pruriginous acne in dialysed renal failure. Diagnostic difficulties and efficacy of isotretinoin].

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of acne in dialysed renal failure patients has rarely been reported and the clinical characteristics and therapeutic issues rarely studied in these patients. CASE REPORTS: Two men and two women, 33 to 56 years-old, with chronic renal failure and no past history of acne, developed severe acne under dialysis. The acne was excoriated in all cases and associated with prurigo-like lesions and intense pruritus, which made diagnosis difficult. Acne was profuse on the face and the trunk, but also on the neck (1 case) and the upper limbs (2 cases). No patient was taking acne-inducing substances. Various to therapies attempting to control pruritus were ineffective. However, anti-acne treatments (cyclines associated with local tretinoin in 1 case and oral isotreninoin in 3 cases) led to complete regression of the acne, pruritus and the prurigo-like lesions without relapse after a follow-up time of 4 months to 2 years. DISCUSSION: Pruritus is frequent during renal failure. However, the occurrence of unexplained acne has only rarely been reported. Our patients' clinical picture was original, characterized by the late development, under dialysis, of severe and pruriginous acne, the pathogenesis of which is unknown. Because of the clinical and therapeutic implications (impaired quality of life, pigmentation or scarring and remarkable efficacy of oral isotretinoin) this clinical picture merits more attention, and the modalities for the prescription of isotretinoin in this context should be defined.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Delays in diagnosis and melanoma prognosis (II): the role of doctors.

A prospective survey was conducted to assess physician responsibility in melanoma prognosis. Consecutive patients with primary melanoma were interviewed and examined using a standardized questionnaire. Main outcome measures were medical components of the delay before tumor resection and tumor thickness. Of 590 melanomas, 29.1% were coincidentally detected by physicians and their tumor depth was lower than in melanomas detected by patients (p < 0.001). Physician sensitivity for melanoma diagnosis was evaluated at 86%. Median time intervals to propose resection and to perform removal of melanoma were short: 0 (mean 103) and 7 (mean 68) days, respectively. Melanomas were managed in an inappropriate way in 14.2% of cases. Location on acral areas and absence of pigmentation were associated with longer medical delays and more frequent inappropriate medical attitudes. Melanomas located on hardly visible areas were less frequently detected by physicians than those on visible areas. Medical delays were shorter, doctor's attitude was more frequently appropriate, and melanoma thickness was lower (p < 0.001) when the patient visited a dermatologist (54.7%) than when he or she visited a general practitioner (33.4%). Our study shows that doctor responsibility accounts for only a small part of the total delay before melanoma removal. However, systematic total examination and better training of doctors, especially about unusual forms of melanoma, could still improve melanoma detection.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Delays in diagnosis and melanoma prognosis (I): the role of patients.

A prospective survey was conducted to assess the role of patients in the melanoma prognosis. Consecutive patients with primary melanoma were interviewed and examined using a comprehensive questionnaire including a psychological instrument. Main outcome measures were the delay before medical intervention and the tumor thickness. Of 590 melanomas, 70.8% were detected by patients and this proportion was higher in females. Relatives were involved in the detection of half of the cases. Median delays before the patient realized he had a suspicious lesion, before this lesion was seen by a doctor, and before the melanoma was removed were 4 months, 2 months, and 1 week, respectively. Delays up to several years were observed in some cases. The rate of self-detection tended to be lower, the delays before seeking medical advice to be longer, and the tumor thickness to be higher in old people, in males, in lower-educated individuals, in those living out of towns, and in people with a low awareness about melanocytic tumors than in other cases. Conversely, individuals with a high number of atypical nevi, those who were aware to be at risk, and those who regularly visited a dermatologist tended to detect their melanoma more rapidly. No specific psychological traits were associated with a late reaction, although negligence and anxiety tended to prolong the delays. Knowledge about melanoma was poor in many patients, especially in males, and wrong beliefs were widespread. This study provides the targets of future education programs.

Adolescent↗

Risk factors for erysipelas of the leg (cellulitis): case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for erysipelas of the leg (cellulitis). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: 7 hospital centres in France. SUBJECTS: 167 patients admitted to hospital for erysipelas of the leg and 294 controls. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, a disruption of the cutaneous barrier (leg ulcer, wound, fissurated toe-web intertrigo, pressure ulcer, or leg dermatosis) (odds ratio 23.8, 95% confidence interval 10.7 to 52.5), lymphoedema (71.2, 5.6 to 908), venous insufficiency (2.9, 1.0 to 8.7), leg oedema (2.5, 1.2 to 5.1) and being overweight (2.0, 1.1 to 3.7) were independently associated with erysipelas of the leg. No association was observed with diabetes, alcohol, or smoking. Population attributable risk for toe-web intertrigo was 61%. CONCLUSION: This first case-control study highlights the major role of local risk factors (mainly lymphoedema and site of entry) in erysipelas of the leg. From a public health perspective, detecting and treating toe-web intertrigo should be evaluated in the secondary prevention of erysipelas of the leg.

Analysis of Variance↗

Melanoma and tumor thickness: challenges of early diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To test the basic assumption of campaigns for early diagnosis of melanoma, ie, prognosis is correlated with the delay in the diagnosis. DESIGN: Prospective study of the correlation between delays to diagnosis, assessed using a questionnaire, and the Breslow thickness as a prognosis marker. SETTING: Dermatology departments in France. PATIENTS: Five hundred ninety consecutive patients, referred within 12 weeks after resection of cutaneous melanoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessment of 5 successive time intervals from the first time the patients realized that they had a lesion until the resection of the melanoma, and results of the correlation between each time interval and tumor thickness (Breslow). RESULTS: There is a positive but weak correlation between tumor thickness and the delay to identify a lesion as suspicious (r = 0.17; P = .009). However, this delay tends to be short for the thickest tumors. There is a negative correlation between tumor thickness and the delay to seek medical attention (r = -0.20; P<.001). This delay was shorter for nodular melanoma. No correlation is found between melanoma thickness and physicians' delays. CONCLUSIONS: Poor prognosis can be accounted for by aggressive rapidly growing tumors rather than by delays. In well-informed populations, campaigns for early diagnosis of melanoma may thus no longer have a major impact on prognosis, unless they are focused on subgroups less accessible to information and medical care.

Female↗

Melanoma prevention: evaluation of a health education campaign for primary schools.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational campaign aimed toward limiting children's sun exposure. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter trial with before-after comparison. A school-based campaign was presented as a game during a 4-week period (May 25 to June 1992) with primary school teachers as game hosts. Children were interviewed with a standardized questionnaire in September before (1991) and after (1992) the campaign. Comparisons between the children's answers before and after the campaign were made using paired chi2 tests and analysis of variance. SETTING: Five French primary schools. SUBJECTS: All children in their fourth year of primary school (228 children aged 9 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes after the campaign in children's answers concerning their knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward the sun during summer holidays. RESULTS: Compared with the precampaign answers, more children after the campaign claimed to protect themselves from the sun with a hat (33.7% vs 23.8%; P = .01) or sunscreen (34.8% vs 25.4%; P = .03), avoided going outside during the sunniest hours (76.8% vs 66.0%; P = .02), reapplied sunscreens (22.1% vs 10.6%; P<.001), considered that a T-shirt and shade provided better protection than sunscreen (82.7% vs 74.8%; P = .05), considered sunlight as a risk factor for skin cancer (74.9% vs 50.7%; P<.001), and spent significantly less time in the sun with their arms (P = .005), trunk, legs, and head uncovered (P<.001). Children with a fair complexion, who were the target of this campaign, showed the best improvement in their responses. CONCLUSION: Health education campaigns can be effective in terms of improving the knowledge, attitude, and behavior of young children.

Child↗