Journal of

---

Background and Aim: Vitiligo is a common skin disease and it is important to recognize and manage its social and psychological consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between illness perception, depression and quality of life among vitiligo patients referred to the skin clinic of Farshchian Hospital in Hamedan. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on the patients with vitiligo referred to the skin clinic of Farshchian Hospital during the first quarter of 2014. The study sample consisted of 100 patients (32 male and 68 female patients) with vitiligo who were selected using convenience sampling. Measurement tools included the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. Results: Illness perception have significant relationship with depression and quality of life in vitiligo patients. There was a significant difference in positive (P=0.031) and negative (P=0.002) illness perception scores between male and female vitiligo patients. Also, environmental dimension of quality of life in vitiligo patients was significantly different between men and women (P=0.031). Conclusion: Evaluation of quality of life and depression in patients with vitiligo to reduce the adverse consequences of the disesase on patients' lives is recommended.

---

Background and Aim: Although several commercial moisturizers are available in the market, continued role of pharmaceutical compounding have been still felt in dry skin management. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a two urea- based compounded moisturizers on barrier function, compared to similar commercial product. 15 volunteers (14 females and one male) age 36.15 ±9.55 years old (range 21-56 years old) with non-pathologic dry skin, recruited to the study applied 5% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum and 10% urea containing hydrophilic petrolatum during two following phases.
Methods: Upper parts of right and left forearms randomly were assigned for twice a day application of commercial or compounded products. Biophysical assessments including trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, friction co efficient, pH and surface lipids, performed before intervention, 1, 4 after single application and at 24 hours and one week twice daily application. 
Results: In both phases, commercial and compounded moisturizers showed appropriate and comparable effect on skin barrier function compared to the baseline. However commercial products, led to better improvement in TEWL, 4 hours after single application in both phases (P=0.04). The rate of increase in skin hydration was also significantly higher for commercial emollient, compared to compounding product (57.48±11.23 vs. 50.59±11.42, P=0.01).
Conclusion: Commercial formulation led to higher acceptability and better improvement on skin barrier function after single application, probably due to influence of excipients. Present study did not find sufficient added value for pharmacy product relative to commercial one and suggest to be replaced in similar condition.

---

Background and Aim: Oral hydrolyzed collagen is one of the newest and most popular systemic supplementations for skin rejuvenation. However, there are limited information in case of Middle Eastern consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of an oral collagen supplement for improvement of skin elasticity, hydration and roughness.
 

Methods: It was a 12-week, before-after clinical study, conducted on 20 participants (18 women and two men) aged 44.15±5.36 years with skin type III-IV. Skin elasticity parameters (R0, R2, R5 and R7), skin hydration and friction, as well as the thickness and echo density of the dermis, were measured after six and 12 weeks daily intake of the study product, as well as four weeks after stopping its use (week 16). Participants’ satisfaction was assessed on the basis of their answers to the standard questionnaire, and tolerability of the product was assessed by monitoring the adverse effects.
 

Results: A significant improvement was detected in R2, R5 and skin friction at week 12 (P<0.041, P<0.012 and P<0.01, respectively). At week 16, the values remained at an increased level, which indicates the stability of the results. The increase of dermis density in week 16 was also significant (P=0.03). Moderate overall satisfaction was reported with the treatment, and a few gastrointestinal complications were reported.
 

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that oral collagen peptides could significantly improve the skin elasticity, roughness, and dermis echo density, and they also proved to be safe and well-tolerated.

---

Background and Aim: In order to overcome the local side effects of the conventional treatments for atopic dermatitis, a new attitude regarding alternative treatments would be needed, which herbal medicines are promising approachs in this case.
 

Methods: It was a 4-week, before-after clinical study, conducted on 20 participants (16 women and 4 men) aged 39.95±11.04 years. The severity scoring of atopic dermatitis was determined based on total & local SCORAD. skin biophisical parameters including TEWL ,skin hydration, pH, temperature, sebum and skin erythema were also measured after 2 and 4 weeks application of the study product. Participants’ satisfaction as well as tolerability of the product were assessed by monitoring the adverse effects.
 

Results: A significant improvement was detected in LOCAL and TOTAL SCORAD at weeks 2 and 4 (P<0.01). The intensity of burning and pruritus also showed a significant decrease at weeks 2 and 4 (P<0.01). A significant increase in the skin hydration was shown at weeks 2 and 4 after treatment (P<0.01). 84.1% and 78.9% of participants described their skin lesions as "improved" or "much improved", 2 and 4 weeks after treatment respectively.
 

Conclusion: The test cream containing oats and chamomile extract is considered a safe and effective product for improving mild to moderate lesions of atopic dermatitis.