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Biomedical subjects

M Skogh

Publications and source records attributed to M Skogh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

A controlled trial of acupuncture in psoriasis: no convincing effect.

Several uncontrolled studies have suggested that acupuncture is an effective treatment for psoriasis. To test this hypothesis, 56 patients suffering from long-standing plaque psoriasis were randomized to receive either active treatment (electrostimulation by needles placed intramuscularly, plus ear-acupuncture) or placebo (sham, 'minimal acupuncture') twice weekly for 10 weeks. The severity of the skin lesions was scored (PASI) before, during, and 3 months after therapy. After 10 weeks of treatment the PASI mean value had decreased from 9.6 to 8.3 in the 'active' group and from 9.2 to 6.9 in the placebo group (p < 0.05 for both groups). These effects are less than the usual placebo effect of about 30%. There were no statistically significant differences between the outcomes in the two groups during or 3 months after therapy. The patient's own opinion about the results showed no preference for 'active' therapy. It was also clear from the answers that the blinded nature of the study had not been discovered by the patients. In conclusion, classical acupuncture is not superior to sham (placebo) 'minimal acupuncture' in the treatment of psoriasis.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1988

Nail fold capillaroscopy findings in patients with primary fibromyalgia.

The nail fold capillary morphology and blood flow were examined by capillaroscopy in 10 patients with primary fibromyalgia. Only slight morphological anomalies such as moderate enlargement of capillary loops and variations in calibre were found. No obvious correlation emerged between capillary morphology and the duration of the disease, smoking, or history of Raynaud's phenomenon. Three patients with a history of Raynaud's phenomenon showed sluggish capillary flow correlated with subnormal skin temperature during registration. The findings suggest that marked generalized capillary abnormality such as that often involving the nail fold capillaries in many connective tissue disorders is not a prominent feature of primary fibromyalgia.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

The importance of the coal tar bath in the Ingram treatment of psoriasis. Evaluation by evaporimetry and laser Doppler flowmetry.

The contribution of the tar component to the efficacy of the Ingram regimen in the treatment of psoriasis was assessed in 11 patients with symmetrical lesions on the upper extremities. One arm was immersed in an oil emulsion bath and the other in a coal tar bath. Whole body ultraviolet irradiation followed, and dithranol paste was applied to all lesions. Healing was assessed clinically at weekly intervals, and was found to parallel the normalization of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) as determined by evaporimetry, and the dermal blood flow as evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry. Results obtained with coal tar baths were not significantly different from those obtained with oil emulsion. We conclude that coal tar bath additive has no advantage over oil emulsion in the Ingram regimen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Hydration of human stratum corneum studied in vivo by optothermal infrared spectrometry, electrical capacitance measurement, and evaporimetry.

Optothermal infrared spectrometry (OTIS) is a recently introduced method for specific measurement, in vivo, of water in the skin. In the present study the method proved well suited to register the increase in water content in stratum corneum following application of emollients. The results were compared with those obtained with a commercial instrument, the Corneometer, and the two methods were found to match very closely. Neither method indicated any difference in hydration of normal skin between young and elderly women. Evaporimetry was used to detect any influence on the water barrier function of the skin following application of emollients; even though the water content of the skin was significantly higher after emollient treatment, the transepidermal water loss remained unchanged.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Effects of single doses of UVA, UVB, and UVC on skin blood flow, water content, and barrier function measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry, optothermal infrared spectrometry, and evaporimetry.

The effect of single doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation was studied in 6 healthy men of skin Type III. Test areas on the forearm were irradiated with 150 J/cm2 UVA, 0.5 MED, 1 MED, and 3 MED UVB, and 1 MED UVC. Test areas and control areas were followed up for 1 month by clinical assessment, laser-Doppler flowmetry, evaporimetry, and optothermal infrared spectrometry (OTIS). UVA produced immediate erythema; the reaction appeared later with the other wavelength regions. All responses peaked after 12-24 h. The degree of erythema of UV-induced inflammation assessed visually correlated closely with the increase in skin blood flow registered with the laser-Doppler flowmeter. No increase in transepidermal water loss, indicating damage to the epidermal barrier, could be recorded by evaporimetry except on the area irradiated with 3 MED of UVB, where 4 subjects showed a moderate increase after 2 weeks. Changes in water content in the uppermost part of the epidermis, mainly in the stratum corneum, were detected by OTIS. A decrease took place that was most pronounced in the area irradiated with 3 MED UVB. This decrease in the OTIS signal is probably due to a combination of increased thickness and decreased water content of stratum corneum. We believe that these 3 noninvasive methods, especially in combination, are useful in the evaluation of different aspects of UV reactions.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Plasma exchange and leukapheresis in psoriasis--no effect?

Nine patients with severe or therapy-resistant psoriasis were treated by plasma exchanges or leukapheresis; one received both treatments in succession. None of the patients showed convincing signs of improvement. We therefore conclude that there is little evidence for the existence of a "psoriasis factor", the removal of which, it has been suggested, would explain the beneficial effects of dialysis. Nor is there anything to indicate that the removal of large numbers of leukocytes would bring about healing.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

UVA photosensitivity in photosensitive bullous disease of chronic renal failure.

3 chronic renal failure patients with bullous skin disease are reported. Only 1 was on maintenance hemodialysis, but all were on frusemide. Porphyrin studies failed to show classical porphyric disease. The 3 patients tested showed low minimal etyrhema doses (MED) to ultraviolet A (UVA) but normal threshold to ultraviolet B (UVB).

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Measurement of transepidermal water loss using an evaporimeter to follow the restitution of the barrier layer of human epidermis after stripping the stratum corneum.

The rate of evaporation after stripping a test area with adhesive tape was followed in 10 women over a period of 15 days. The much increased transepidermal water loss after stripping diminished rapidly on the first 3 days. It then decreased more slowly, approaching but not fully reaching the normal rate by the end of test period. This can be taken to reflect the repair process of the damaged barrier layer. The instrument used makes possible instantaneous reading of the rate of evaporation, and is highly suited for assessing the function of the barrier layer.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Clinical trial of a potent non-halogenated topical steroid, Budesonide.

In a double-blind, randomized multi-centre study, 116 patients with psoriasis have been treated for 1-3 weeks with budesonide ointment (Preferid, Draco/Tika; a subsidiary of AB ASTRA), a new non-halogenated topical steroid. In a series of 11 patients a 0.025% budesonide ointment was significantly superior to placebo. In a second series, of 54 patients, a 0.025% fluocinolone acetonide ointment (Synalar, ICI). In a third series, of 51 patients, a 0.010% budesonide ointment was compared with 0.025% fluocinolone acetonide ointment. No statistically significant difference between these two preparations was found to exist. No adverse reactions were observed.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1979

ECG electrodes. A study of electrical and mechanical long-term properties.

The long-term properties of commercially available ECG-electrodes were studied by investigating the parameters: polarization potential, electrical impedance, adhesion, and skin reactions during a period of 7 days. As expected, the most stable polarization potentials were obtained for Ag/AgCl electrodes. Certain simple disposable electrodes showed large polarization potential variations. The most stable electrode impedance was obtained for disposable electrodes with stable adhesion and equipped with an electrode cup or similar. Unchanged adhesion and mechanical properties during the test period were shown by the disposable electrodes with a large self-adhesive collar.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed1979

Treatment of parapsoriasis en plaques, mycosis fungoides, and Sézary's syndrome with trioxsalen baths followed by ultraviolet light.

Three patients with parapsoriasis en plaques (PEP), fifteen with mycosis fungoides (MF), and one with Sézary's syndrome (SS) were given a bath to which a small amount of trioxsalen solution had been added, and then exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from a bank of dysprosium lamps. Within 2--6 months of this treatment the skin lesions healed completely or almost completely in all 3 patients with PEP, in all 7 with MF stage II and in 4 of 5 with MF stage III. Two patients with MF stages IV--V showed a fair degree of improvement. One with erythrodermic form of MF responded, but poorly. The patient with SS and the one with erythrodermic MF responded with severe phototoxic reactions.

Adult↗