The revealed differences in the structure of horny and cellular layers of epidermis, as well as of papillary and reticular dermis in skin with thin and thick epidermis specify different optical properties of these layers in OCT images.

Objective. To assess the effect of local corticosteroid therapy and Tacrolimus on the morphological and functional skin indices of different phototypes. Materials and methods. The authors conducted a complex assessment of the morphological and functional skin condition of different phototypes among healthy volunteers under the impact of corticosteroids and Tacrolimus. The study involved 20 healthy volunteers (10 people of the 1st and 2nd skin phototypes and 10 people of the 5th and 6th skin phototypes; 14 males and 6 females; mean age: 2з years). The morphological condition of the skin was assessed with the use of optical coherent tomography (Applied Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod) while the functional condition was assessed with the use of Multi Skin Test Center MC 750 (Courage+Khazaka Cologne, Germany). Results. The authors revealed that the application of local corticosteroids is accompanied with a reliable reduction in the epidermis thickness developing earlier in the subjects belonging to the 5th and 6th phototypes and, at the same time, increased transepidermal water loss and reduced corneous layer humidity. An increase in the corneous layer thickness accompanied by an increase in the humidity factor was registered in all phototypes in the areas where Tacrolimus was applied. It is possible to select the correct tactics of the anti-inflammatory therapy on the basis of monitoring the morphological and functional skin condition in the process of applying local corticosteroids: to determine the optimum duration of the corticosteroid therapy and switch to calcineurin inhibitors on a timely basis when there is a need to perform an antiinflammatory therapy to achieve the maximum efficacy with the minimum risk of complication development.

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Psoriatic nail affection is difficult to diagnose, especially if there are no specific skin changes, and is resistant to traditional treatment methods. The absence of any reliable diagnostics criteria often results in diagnostics errors, inadequate treatment and reduced life quality. Goal. To assess the efficacy of Daivobet for isolated psoriatic nail affections based on optical coherent tomography. Materials and methods. The study involved 10 patients (4 male and 6 female) aged 19—38 (mean age: 27.5 years) including four subjects with isolated psoriatic nail affections (oil spots and dotty cavities on the nail plate) and six subjects with psoriatic nail affections with paronychias (psoriatic plaques and thimble symptom on the nail folds and adjacent skin). The area of the psoriatic affection of the nail plate was 30%—70%. The efficacy of Daivobet and nail condition was clinically monitored by using the optical coherent tomography method and recording the NAPSI index. Tests were performed prior to the treatment and 3 and 6 weeks after the treatment onset. Results. A positive trend with regard to psoriatic paronychia in the form of regressed infiltration was observed against the background of treatment by Week 3 of the treatment, and complete regression of eruptions was observed by Week 6. In all of the subjects, a healthy nail plate grew by 2—3 mm and complete regression of the dotty cavities was observed during Week 6 of the study, which correlated with the reduced PASI index and positive trends based on optical coherent tomography data.