Showing 4 results for Autoimmune Disease
Nafiseh Esmaeili, Md, Zahra Halaji, Md, Amirhooshang Ehsani, Md, Mahboubeh Eghbalian, Md, Abbas Karimi,
Volume 4, Issue 2 (6-2013)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Alopecia Areata is a chronic inflammatory disease which involves hair follicles. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of oral sulfasalazine in the treatment of recalcitrant alopecia areata.
Methods: Patients with refractory alopecia areata who were eligible for the study, after providing informed consent were treated with oral sulfasalazine for 6 months. After completion of treatment, regrowth of vellus and terminal hairs were determined based on clinical examination and comparing the new photographs with the baseline ones.
Results: Sixteen patients were enrolled in the present study but only 5 patients completed it. No response was seen in 3 patients. After 4 months, 55-60% response to treatment was observed in 1 patient, but the disease relapsed at the end of fourth month. In 1 patient, 15% hair regrowth was observed but treatment was discontinued after the second month due to side effects. Side effects were observed in 2 patients.
Conclusion: Since only refractory alopecia areata patients had been enrolled to the study, the results could not be generalized to all patients with alopecia areata. Therapeutic response in the patients with alopecia areata is disappointing and any poor treatment response or failure of treatment in refractory cases of the disease cannot rule out the efficacy of the drug in the milder forms of the alopecia areata.
Nafiseh Esmaeili, Tahereh Soori, Zeinab Nooraei, Abbas Karimi,
Volume 6, Issue 2 (7-2015)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare autoimmune intraepidermal blistering disease affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Copper and zinc are two necessary trace elements in the human body that have antioxidant activity in the wound healing process. The aim of this study was to determine the serumic level of zinc and copper in newly diagnosed patients with pemphigus vulgaris.
Methods: In this study, 50 newly diagnosed patients with pemphigus vulgaris admitted to Razi Hospital in Tehran were studied with regards to their serum levels of copper and zinc alongside age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking and drug abuse status.
Results: Eighteen percent (9 cases) and 50% (25 cases) of the patients showed copper and zinc deficiency, respectively. There was no significant association between copper and zinc levels and smoking, age, BMI or suffering from a chronic disease (P>0.05). Mean copper levels in women and men were not significantly with their respective different normal levels (P>0.05). Serum zinc level in men was lower than its normal range (P<0.05), but in women was not significantly different from its normal level.
Conclusion: Serum concentration of copper and zinc did not show any association with pemphigus disease. Since decreased levels of copper and zinc may result in an increase of oxidative activity in autoimmune diseases enhancing disease severity, therefore conducting a robust case-control study for evaluating the their roles in disease severity may pave the way to treatment of those diseases.
Ilshan Lotfi, Seyedsaeed Tamehrizadeh, Mohammadhassan Javanbakht, Maryam Ghiasi, Mahshid-Ol-Sadat Ansari,
Volume 13, Issue 3 (11-2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease of hair follicle. Osteopontin is an early T lymphocyte activator that may play a role in some immunological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum level of osteopontin in patients with alopecia areata and compare it with the level in normal subjects.
Methods: 54 patients with alopecia areata who presented to the Razi Hospital in Tehran in 2017 and 2018 were enrolled. Half of the patients had severe disease and half of them had mild disease. Also, 52 healthy subjects were selected as control group (age and sex matched). The severity of disease was determined using SALT Score. Serum osteopontin levels were measured by ELISA method.
Results: The results showed that serum osteopontin levels were significantly higher in patients with alopecia areata than healthy subjects. There was no significant relationship between osteopontin level and SALT score or duration of the disease.
Conclusion: The level of osteopontin is higher in AA patients than normal subjects but it does not correlate with the severity of disease.
Farid Mohamadi, Khatere Zahedi,
Volume 16, Issue 2 (7-2025)
Abstract
Erosive lichen planus of the genitalia is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease primarily affecting the genital mucosa, causing pain, discomfort, and impairing urinary, reproductive, and sexual functions. This condition is more common in postmenopausal women and is often associated with other autoimmune diseases such as vitiligo and thyroid disorders. Standard treatments include topical and systemic corticosteroids, but several challenges persist, especially in cases resistant to conventional therapies. This review discusses novel and alternative treatment options, including immunomodulators and systemic therapies like tacrolimus, secukinumab, and anti-malarial drugs. It also emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment strategies for patients resistant to standard treatments. Additionally, the psychological impacts of the disease on patients’ quality of life and the need for a multidimensional approach in managing these patients are highlighted.
