Background and design: Charities are non-profit organizations that function independently of the government. In our research, we aimed to identify and investigate the foundations which represent diseases belonging to the field of dermatology. MATERIAL-METHOD: We searched for key words on the internet, namely by entering the word “dermatology” together with one of the following words: “foundation”, “society”, “association”, “group”, “organization”. The search result websites of organizations were explored and additional information was obtained by contacting these organizations by e-mail. RESULT: Twenty six such organizations were identified. Data was gathered on these organizations and about their history, management structure, income, membership procedures and benefits, targets and goals, training facilities, publishing, research grants and communication functions. CONCLUSION: We concluded that unlike in Turkey, the field of dermatological foundations are quite advanced in developed countries. It is possible bring Turkey up to the same level by a higher level of involvement from doctors and making the public more aware of these types of foundations and their functions.

Several new biological therapies have been developed, which target specific steps in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, including direct effects on T cells, T cell activation, T cell migration, and cellular production and secretion of cytokines. Dermatologists should be familiar with the potential benefits and risks of these therapies to make rational decisions concerning their use in the treatment of their patients with psoriasis. Here in, the biological agents that are currently being used in the treatment of psoriasis are reviewed with knowledge of recent medical literature.

AIM: Endothelial cell activation and inflammation in the vessel wall along with anticardiolipin anticores (ACA) were reported to facilitate thrombus formation in vasculitis. This is important in means of the pathogenesis, progression and effective treatment alternatives of the disease. In the present study, it is aimed to reveal the tendency of thrombosis in cutaneous vasculitis with clinical and laboratory investigation.
MATERIALS-METHODS: Eighteen patients diagnosed as cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis with clinical and laboratory findings and 18 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The etiology of vasculitis was investigated in the patient group as well as serum protein C, protein S, antithrombin III levels, prothrombin and partial thromboplastin time, bleeding and coagulation times. Patient and control groups were compared in means of serum ACA IgM and IgG positivity. RESULTS: Systemic involvement was not observed with clinical and laboratory investigations as well as thrombotic risk factors in the patient group. ACA IgM positivity was not detected in any of the groups while ACA IgG levels were moderately elevated in two patients whereas all of the controls were ACA IgG negative. There was no difference between patient and control groups in means of serum ACA IgG positivity (p=0.486, Fischer’s exact test). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that cutaneous vasculitis carries no risk of thrombosis and ACA positivity in the absence of systemic involvement.

Background and design: Isotretinoin and acitretin, known as retinoids, are synthetic derivaties of vitamin A. They have been known to cause a variety of skeletal side effects. The aim of the study was to determine whether the patients receiving synthetic retinoids are under the risk of osteoporosis. MATERIAL-METHOD: Nineteen patients who received 0.5 mg/kg/day dose of acitretin (n=16) and isotretinoin (n=3) were included in this study. Bone mineral density (g/cm2) of left hip (neck, trochanter) and lumbar spine (L2-L4) were measured by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry before and at the sixth month of the therapy. RESULTS: We didn’t find statistically significant difference in bone mineral density (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Short term (six months) isotretinoin and acitretin with a low dose of 0.5 mg/kg/day were not due to osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and the hip.

Backround and design: Pityriasis lichenoides, which is usually classified as acute and chronic forms, is a cutaneous disease of unknown origin. The clinical course and factors affecting the prognosis are not well defined. MATERIAL-METHOD: In this study, 75 patients who were diagnosed clinically as PLEVA (n= 17) and PLC (n=58) between the years 1990 and 2002 were retrospectively investigated in terms of their demographic
and clinical properties, response and recurrence rates. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences for gender, age, time till the diagnosis and the
distribution of lesions between the two groups. While 4 of 17 PLEVA patients were suggested photo-biologic methods, eight were suggested other treatments (systemic and topical). Thirtytwo of 58 PLC patients were suggested photo-biologic methods whereas 20 of them were suggested other methods. Three of 6 PLEVA and 34 of 43 PLC patients had a clinically significant improvement with the suggested treatments. One of 2 PLEVA patients and 13 of 26 PLC patients have recurrence. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatments applied to the PLC patients and their response to the treatment. In the same manner, no statistically significant relationship was found between
the response and the distribution of the lesions. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the demographic properties of PLEVA and PLC patients are not distinguishing. Moreover, it might suggest that the photo-biologic methods and other treatment methods do not create
an evident difference in clinical improvement and the distributions of the lesions do not affect the response and recurrence rates.

Background and design: Topical antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracycline and clindamycin are widely used and effective on mild and moderate inflammatory forms of acne. In this study it was aimed to clarify the efficacy of these drugs and determine if there is a difference between them according to the efficacy. METHODS: In this study, we compared the efficacy of topically applied tetracyclin, erythromycin and clindamycin
for twelve weeks in randomized sixty cases with mild and moderate acne vulgaris. Sixty cases were divided into three groups and treated with tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin. Drugs were applied topically two times a day for twelve weeks.
RESULTS: There was no statistically difference of age, duration, acne score, gender and occupation between the groups (p>0.05). Clinical improvement was obtained with all drugs (p<0.05). Total lesion reduction ratio was 57.95%, 57.97% and 39.5% with tetracycline, erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. While there was no statistically difference between the tetracycline and erytromycin groups (p>0.017), tetracycline
and clindamycin and erythromycin-clindamycin groups differed from each other with statistical significance (p<0.017). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that topically applied tetracycline, clindamycin and erythromycin are safe and effective in mild and moderate acne vulgaris, but topical clindamycin is the least effective, and has more side
effects than the tetracycline and erythromycin.

Mycosis fungoides present with unusual cutaneous lesions. Pigmented purpuric eruptions are in the spectrum of atypical lesions of mycosis fungoides. Here we present a patient diagnosed histopathologically as mycosis fungoides, that clinically resembled pigmented purpuric dermatitis.

Lymphogranuloma venereum is a rare form of the sexually transmitted disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. In this manuscript a case of lymphogranulaoma venereum with unknown transmission site is presented.

Porokeratosis is an uncommon disorder of keratinization characterized by annular lesions with central atrophy, raised hyperkeratotic border. Porokeratosis is a disorder of uncertain cause. Five different types of porokeratosis have been described. We describe a 47-year old woman suggesting disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis with clinical and porokeratosis of Mibelli with histologic findings..