Eur J Dermatol. 2009 Jun 15; Hernando-Harder AC, Booken N, Goerdt S, Singer MV, Harder HRecent evidence suggests that Helicobacter pylori infections play a role in the pathogenesis of a variety of skin diseases. The best evidence for such a link is found for two diseases: chronic urticaria and immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Other diseases that have a purported, but not yet proven link to H. pylori are: cutaneous pruritus, Behçet's disease, nodular prurigo and lichen planus. Based on the current evidence for a relationship between H. pylori and chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura the European Helicobacter Study Group consensus 2007 recommended the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection in affected patients. Lastly, single or few case reports have documented associations between Helicobacter pylori infection and rosacea, aphthous stomatitis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, Schoenlein-Henoch purpura and Sjögren syndrome, but these are only descriptive in nature. Systematic studies examining the relationship between dermatologic entities and infection with H. pylori and documentation of the effect of H. pylori eradication are needed to further our understanding on this topic.
Rosacea is a common skin condition but the treatments currently available are not satisfactory. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of intense pulsed light (IPL) for treatment of stage I rosacea (flushing, erythema and telangiectasia). METHODS: Thirty-four patients were treated, 25 women and nine men, mean age 47 years. The treatment employed was IPL 515-1200 nm, with a 560 nm cut-off filter. The fluence range was 24-32 J cm(-2). Four treatments were administered on the face at 3-week intervals. Erythema values were measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment period on the cheeks and chin. Digital photographs were assessed by a consultant dermatologist on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients' assessments were also made using a 10-point VAS. Outcome measures were repeated 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: After four treatments the mean reduction of the erythema values was 39% on the cheeks (P The severity of rosacea was reduced on average by 3.5 points on the 10...