A BSTRACT Aim and Objective: The success of topical treatment in patients with psoriasis is still below par in Malaysia. The contributing factors include patients’ understanding and knowledge about prescribed topical medications. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of color and picture labeling (C and P labeling) in improving the knowledge about topical medications among patients with psoriasis. Materials and Methods: An unblinded randomized controlled trial was undertaken at the dermatology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Consent from the patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were obtained, and they were included in this study. They were randomized into two groups, namely Gp-1 (C and P labeling) and Gp-2 (conventional labeling). Both groups were assessed at week 0, 6, and 12 (visit 1, 2, and 3) using knowledge assessment list and psoriasis severity assessment score. For visit 2 (week 6), reinforcement of their understanding of topical treatment was performed. Results: A total of 101 patients were recruited. Only 91 of them completed the study. The mean ages were 44.52 (±16.61) and 45.49 (±15.84) years, with 70.3% males and approximately half Malay ethnics. The changes of knowledge and comparison of Topical Application Assessment Score between the groups showed an incremental raise of significance with every visit ( P = 0.006 [week 1], 0.004 [week 6], and 0.002 [week 12]). Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 could not draw any conclusion as patients who achieved >75% improvement were inadequate. Conclusion: C and P labeling was effective in improving the understanding and knowledge of patients with psoriasis. Both groups showed improvement in body surface area and Dermatology Life Quality Index for every visit; however, it was statistically insignificant.

Background: Genital psoriasis is often under-recognized and the exact burden is unknown in Malaysia. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of genital psoriasis, its clinical features, risk factors, and impact on quality of life and sexual health. Methods: This prospective, observational study was conducted in the dermatology clinic of our hospital from 1st September 2020 until 31st March 2021, involving all adult patients with psoriasis. The genital examination was performed and the subjects were interviewed using questionnaires. Results: A total of 262 patients were recruited, with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1 (mean age of 51 years old). They comprised 42.0% Chinese, followed by 36.6% of Malay, 21.4% of Indians and others. Up to 46.1% of patients had a current or history of genital psoriasis. The most common area involved for males was the scrotum (44.1%) and labia majora (62.5%) for female patients. Itching (79.2%) was the most frequent symptom encountered. Chinese patients had 2.67 times odd (CI 1.55-4.61) of having genital psoriasis compared to non-Chinese patients. Other independent risk factors included flexural involvement, male gender, and Type 1 psoriasis. Genital psoriasis was associated with greater impairment on quality of life and sexual health (mean total Dermatology Life Quality Index: 8.8 vs 6.5, P = 0.006), International Index of Erectile Function (mean: 48.5 vs 57.0, P = 0.011) and revised version of Female Sexual Distress Scales (mean: 20.7 vs 11.4, P = 0.022). Conclusions: Genital psoriasis is common and it has a profound impact on patients.

Background Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a chronic, autoimmune skin disease with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations in different populations. Aim To study the clinicohistological and immunological features of CLE in a multiethnic population and to identify the predictive factors of disease severity based on the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). Methods This was a cross‐sectional study of CLE conducted from March 2019 to February 2020. Results In total, 111 patients were recruited with a female/male ratio of 4.9 : 1. Acute CLE contributed 47.7%, followed by chronic CLE at 46.9% and subacute CLE at 5.4%. A large majority (84%) of patients had systemic lupus erythematosus. Of patients with chronic CLE, about 67.3% developed systemic involvement. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) was detected in 90.0%. Skin biopsy was taken from 42 patients and showed perivascular lymphocytic infiltration (95.2%), epidermal atrophy (47.6%) and hydropic degeneration of the basal layer (47.6%). Immunoglobulin deposition at the dermoepidermal junction was seen in > 40% of patients, predominantly in a granular pattern. Mean CLASI Total was 6.44 ± 7.70, while CLASI Activity (CLASI‐A) was 2.75 ± 4.10 and CLASI Damage (CLASI‐D) was 3.71 ± 4.76. Involved body surface area (BSA) was found to be an independent predictive factor for CLASI‐A (OR = 1.34, P < 0.02). For CLASI‐D, positive predictive factors were involved BSA (OR = 4.14, P < 0.001), discoid lupus erythematosus subtype (OR = 13.10, P = 0.001), cutaneous vascular disease (OR = 26.59; P = 0.014), scalp involvement (OR = 8.7, P < 0.01) and hypocomplementaemia (OR = 5.71, P < 0.5). Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index was 5.91 ± 5.34 and correlated significantly with disease severity. Conclusions We observed a high percentage of patients with CLE with systemic manifestations and positive ANA result. More aggressive treatment of patients with positive predictive factors for severe disease combined with significant clinical activity may be warranted.