Introduction Possibility of a causal influence of emotional stress, on the course of various skin diseases, has been postulated. However, it is still inconclusive about the role of stressful life events in acne. In this background, the present study was carried out to know its role in acne. Methods Consecutive one hundred patients who were diagnosed with acne vulgaris in the age group of 12 to 45 years were included. Age and sex matched controls were taken. A semistructured proforma was used to collect sociodemographic details. Stressful life events were assessed using presumptive stressful life event scale. Anxiety was evaluated using Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale and Depression by Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Results There was no difference in total stressful life events in past one year between patients and controls. The undesirable life event was present in 65 patients and 50 controls, this difference was statistically significant. Getting married or appearing for exams were the most common stressful life event in patients. Forty patients had comorbid psychiatric illness whereas in controls comorbidity was in 24 and this difference was statistically significant. Discussion The undesirable stressful life events and psychiatric comorbidity were more in acne patients than in controls.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Dermatophytoses are superficial mycoses which represents most common community health problem across the globe. Surveillance studies are required to understand the changing epidemiology and prevalence of causative agents to decide on appropriate therapy. This study aims to evaluate the clinical types, etiological agents and probable risk factors of dermatophytoses.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> It was a cross sectional study of 150 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytoses during six months. Sociodemographic details, clinical history and detailed examination were collected from all the subjects. Skin scrapings were sent to microbiology for direct microscopy and fungal culture.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among the 150 subjects enrolled, males outnumbered females. Infection was mostly prevalent in the age group of 21-30 years (37.3%). Tinea cruris was the commonest clinical type (50%) followed by Tinea corporis (18.4%) and Tinea unguium (11.9%). Tricophyton rubrum was the aetiological agent isolated in majority (33%), followed by Tricophyton mentagrophytes (20%). The major risk factors of dermatophytoses were poor hygiene (32.1%), topical steroid usage (23.9%) and diabetes mellitus (20.1%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The present study has provided recent data on etiological agents of dermatophytoses and risk factors in our area. It is essential to develop measures for prevention, control of dermatophyte infections and establishment of therapeutic strategies.</p>

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Acne is a multifactorial dermatosis which occurs often during early adulthood with different grades of severity. The factors contributing to the formation of acne include genes, hormones, iatrogenic, psychological, and environmental and occupation. Our article presents the findings on a possible impact of smoking on acne.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong>  This study was conducted to evaluate smoking habits in 126 male acne patients in the age group of 15-45 years. Equal number of age and gender matched healthy controls were taken after consent. These subjects were administered a semi structured proforma to collect socio demographic details. Acne was graded taking into account the predominant lesions and smokers were administered Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the total subjects, 28.57% of cases and 15.87% of controls were smokers. In acne patients the number of cigarettes smoked was more as compared to controls. There was positive correlation between the number of cigarettes and the grading of the acne(r=0.4515). The risk of acne was 2.12 times more in smokers than in non-smokers.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Various studies have reported that smoking may play a role in pathogenesis of acne. Compelling evidence shows that higher nicotine dependence will exacerbate acne. So the association between the two cannot be excluded. The effect of smoking on the course of acne is still inexplicit.</p><p> </p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Keeping in view the rising number of cases of dermatophyte infections and also poor response to topical drugs, this study was conducted with the intention to arrive at a conclusion regarding the best available systemic drug.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 270 patients were selected for the study. 90 patients were assigned to each group under itraconazole, terbinafine &amp; fluconazole.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> It was found that itraconazole was the most effective drug which led to a considerable decrease in erythema, peripheral spread, scaling and spread to other body sites. Next drug to be the most effective was terbinafine, which was followed by fluconazole.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> We finally arrived at a conclusion that itraconazole is the most effective drug for all types of superficial fungal infections. It was followed by terbinafine &amp; fluconazole in terms of drug effectiveness. Hence in this study we advocate the use of itraconazole as first line of drug in all patients of tinea infections.</p><p class="abstract"> </p>

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have complex relationship with mental health and intimate partner violence (IPV) causing community health concern among adolescents and young adults. Women encounter behavioral, psychological, and reproductive health consequences of violence affecting across their lifespan. Aim: To determine IPV anxiety and depression in women with STIs. Methods and materials: It is a hospital-based cross-sectional study. A total of 115 consecutive females between 18 and 45 years of age who attended STI clinic were enrolled. Sociodemographic details were collected by semi-structured pro forma. IPV was assessed by World Health Organization violence against women instrument; Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were applied to assess severity of anxiety and depression. Results: Mean age of subjects was 31.21 ± 9.08 years. About 55% of the patients had history of IPV. Psychiatric comorbidities noted in 66% of patients. The odds of IPV were more with history of child abuse, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse in husband. Conclusion: IPV, anxiety, and depression in STI are in the primitive stage of validation due to associated stigma and lack of awareness. It is high time to divulge dormant triggering factors to protect vulnerable population. Current research should focus on education and women empowerment to prevent STI and mental health issues.