PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J S C English

Publications and source records attributed to J S C English.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Updates from the British Association of Dermatologists 85th annual meeting, 5-8 July 2005, Glasgow, U.K.

The conference highlighted the progress made in understanding recent biological, epidemiological and therapeutic advances in dermatology. Here we provide a synopsis of the main research and clinical findings presented at the meeting of the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) held during 5-8 July 2005, in Glasgow, U.K., drawing attention to the most important advances and summaries. The BAD meeting was held at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow (Fig. 1). The annual dinner was held in the wonderful setting of Stirling Castle, with Dr Robin Graham-Brown as host.

Dermatitis↗
PubMed2006

Intervention development in occupational research: an example from the printing industry.

BACKGROUND: Intervention development research is an essential prerequisite of any study that attempts to determine whether specific interventions work to prevent work related injury and illness. METHODS: Focus groups (n = 5) and direct observational studies (n = 21) of printers were used to elicit key issues that would aid the development of subsequent interventions. Transcripts from these were analysed by standard qualitative methods to identify common and related themes. RESULTS: The views of managers differed significantly from those of print workers in a number of areas, and working practices did not always follow policy. The majority of printers did not perceive dermatitis to be a major problem, although many complained of dry hands. Other key results included: the lack of skin care policy in most companies; poor understanding of the nature, causes, and treatment of dermatitis; low priority of dermatitis within health and safety concerns; little or no provision of occupational health services, particularly skin checks; variability in provision of and access to appropriate skin protection; and lack of accessible washing facilities. CONCLUSIONS: As a result it was decided to evaluate the implementation of four INTERVENTIONS: provision of (1) skin checks and treatment advice; (2) gloves of the correct type and size, and use of an after-work cream; (3) information on dermatitis within the printing industry; and (4) development of best practice skin care policy.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed2005

Updates from the British Association of Dermatologists 84th annual meeting, 6-9 July 2004, Belfast, U.K.

Herein is a synopsis of the main research and clinical findings presented at the British Association of Dermatologists meeting held during 6-9 July 2004, in Belfast, U.K. The conference highlighted the progress that has been made in understanding the increasing biological, epidemiological and therapeutic advances that have been made recently in the field of dermatology. The authors highlight the more important advances or summaries, but this is not meant as a substitute for reading the conference proceedings and related references quoted in this article.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The British standard series of contact dermatitis allergens: validation in clinical practice and value for clinical governance.

BACKGROUND: All centres use an empirically determined set of 'standard' test allergens for patch testing that contain the commoner environmental sensitizers. Objectives To assess the validity of the British standard series of 12 allergens used in addition to the 23 already in the European standard series. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Results for 3062 consecutive patients patch tested in seven centres across the United Kingdom during the year 2000 were analysed. RESULTS: The additional allergens from the British series and positive rates were: methyl dibromoglutaronitrile 2.4%, carba mix 1.6%, tixocortol pivalate 1.5%, ethylenediamine 1.3%, cetearyl alcohol 0.8%, 2-bromo-2-nitropane-1,3-diol 0.8%, diazolidinyl urea 0.7%, chlorocresol 0.6%, budesonide 0.6%, fusidic acid 0.5%, imidazolidinyl urea 0.5%, and chloroxylenol 0.4%. The allergens with the lowest positive rate in the European standard series were primin at 0.6% and isopropyl-phenyl-para-phenylenediamine at 0.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The 12 allergens in the British series should continue being tested as a standard addition to the European series within the U.K. The collection of data in this manner to allow comparisons between centres shows differences that reflect selection criteria and interpretation of results, and offers a useful tool for audit and clinical governance. Testing fewer than 1 : 2150 population may indicate underprovision of service. Similarly, rates of sensitization for nickel contact allergy above 26% and for fragrance mix above 16% (the upper 95% confidence intervals) should stimulate inquiry into the reasons behind this.

Allergens↗
PubMed2003

Environmental effects and skin disease.

The skin is the largest organ in the body and one of its main functions is to protect the body from noxious substances, whether they are ultraviolet radiation, toxic chemicals or prolonged/repeated exposure to water. It is the level of exposure that determines if damage to the organism will result. The harm that can occur to the skin with sufficient exposure will be considered. Contact dermatitis, halogen acne, chemical depigmentation, connective tissue diseases and skin cancer are the conditions that will be covered in this chapter, as environmental exposure is important in their aetiologies. Systemic absorption will not be dealt with. Most environmental exposure to harmful substances will occur at work, but exposure may occur at home or during normal day-to-day activities.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed2002

Clinical examinations to validate self-completion questionnaires: dermatitis in the UK printing industry.

A self-completion questionnaire sent to 2600 Nottinghamshire members of the Graphical Paper and Media Union elicited a 62% response. Forty one per cent of respondents reported suffering a skin complaint at some time and 11% had a current skin problem on the hand. This paper reports the validation stage of the study. Samples of 45 'cases' of self-reported dermatitis and 60 'controls', who reported they had never suffered a skin complaint, were clinically examined. All 45 self-reported cases were clinically confirmed as dermatitis. Occupationally related irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) was diagnosed in 20 (44%); 26 (58%) complaints were thought to be induced or exacerbated by occupation. Of the controls, 21 (35%) were also diagnosed with a skin complaint, the majority being mild, with an occupational association in 17, the majority (15) being ICD. Sixteen ICD cases were patch tested resulting in positive reactions to colophony, neomycin, nickel and potassium dichromate (2 of each). Two cases of basal cell carcinoma on the face were also identified, of which the participants were unaware. Although there was no false positive self-reporting there was a considerable number of false negatives, demonstrating the importance of clinical validation of questionnaires relating to industrial skin disease. This study has highlighted the need for improvement in skin care provision in the printing industry.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Cross-reactivity patterns to budesonide.

Allergic contact dermatitis from topical corticosteroids is not uncommon. Budesonide has been included in the European standard series as a marker for corticosteroid allergy, though little is known of its cross-reactivity with other corticosteroids. Twelve patients previously positive to budesonide on patch testing were given further patch and intradermal tests to a range of corticosteroids. Six patients previously negative to budesonide on patch testing were used as a control group. Budesonide cross-reacts with hydrocortisone-21-sodium phosphate and triamcinolone acetonide. Patients positive to budesonide should therefore avoid hydrocortisone and triamcinolone acetonide. Patch testing, unfortunately, is an inaccurate method of determining cross-reactivity patterns among corticosteroids.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed2002

Type IV hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber latex: results of a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Positive patch test reactions to natural rubber latex (NRL) have been interpreted as allergic or irritant by different groups. Additives to the NRL test solution have also caused positive reactions in previous studies. OBJECTIVES: Five centres of the British Contact Dermatitis Group conducted a prospective study on the prevalence of type IV hypersensitivity to NRL, using ammonia-preserved NRL solution for testing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2738 consecutive patients were patch tested. Where clinically indicated, specific IgE was measured or a prick test done. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (1%) had a positive patch test reaction to NRL, which was considered to be allergic and of current relevance in 19 (70%) patients. Fourteen of these also had a positive prick test or specific IgE. Thirteen patients (48%) were male, 19 (70%) atopic and 13 (48%) had eczema on their hands. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that delayed-type hypersensitivity to NRL is a problem for a proportion of patients with eczema, particularly on their hands, and that patch testing with ammonia-preserved NRL can be recommended to identify these patients. Patients with a positive patch test should be investigated for contact urticaria to NRL.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Type-IV hypersensitivity to betamethasone valerate and clobetasol propionate: results of a multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: Most studies investigating steroid allergy have been performed with tixocortol pivalate, hydrocortisone butyrate and budesonide. Betnovate and Dermovate are widely prescribed in the U.K. but little is known about the frequency of sensitization to them. OBJECTIVES: To determine the optimum method to detect contact allergy to betamethasone valerate (BV) and clobetasol propionate (CP). METHODS: Seven centres tested consecutive patients attending for investigation of suspected allergic contact dermatitis to these steroids at a range of concentrations in different vehicles. RESULTS: Of 1562 patients tested, 16 (1%) reacted to either BV or CP. Ten patients (0.7%) reacted to BV and 13 (0.8%) to CP. Two patients of a further centre were included in analysis of dilutions and vehicles. Sixteen of a total of 25 reactions (64%) were identified with a 1% dilution in ethanol. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration should be given to adding BV and CP to a standard allergy series, given that both are frequently used in the treatment of eczema and that most patients sensitized to them are not identified with currently used markers of steroid allergy. If patch tests to BV and CP are initially negative, but an allergy is suspected, the patient should be further investigated. Further studies are required to identify the ideal patch test material.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

A randomized controlled trial of nurse follow-up clinics: do they help patients and do they free up consultants' time?

BACKGROUND: Nurse follow-up clinics have become increasingly popular in recent years. Their impact on service delivery within dermatology may be useful in relation to chronic diseases, where education and treatment concordance are important factors in disease management. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of providing a nurse follow-up clinic in addition to the normal service provided by the dermatology outpatient department at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, and to obtain pilot data with which to inform future study design. METHODS: Newly referred patients aged >/= 14 years and with a diagnosis of either eczema or psoriasis were identified. In a randomized, parallel-group study with a follow-up period of 6 weeks, participants were randomized either to normal care, or to receive an additional session with a dermatology nurse specialist immediately after their consultation with the dermatologist. The primary outcome measure was change in quality of life at 6 weeks, as assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Secondary outcomes comprised a comparison of patient knowledge at 6 weeks and the number of consultations (in secondary and primary care) that occurred during the 6-week follow-up period. RESULTS: Both groups improved by approximately 3 points on the DLQI scale after 6 weeks. The between-group difference was 0.27 (95% confidence interval - 2.3 to 2.8, P = 0.83). Patients who had seen the nurse were more likely to know how long they should apply treatment (P = 0.05). There was also a marked difference in patients' understanding of how to obtain a repeat prescription (P = 0.01) and from whom they could receive further support (P < 0.001). Following the addition of this service, 33% of follow-up appointments with a doctor were cancelled in the nurse intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: Dermatology nurses can add to a dermatology consultation and provide effective patient education and support in managing a skin condition. With this added service nurses could help to free up dermatologists' time, thus allowing them to see more new patients. Cost-effectiveness studies are now needed.

Adult↗