title: Relapsed actinic keratosis evaluation: an observational Italian multicenter prospective study. Does gender have a role?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Relapsed actinic keratoses evaluation study (RAKE) was performed in nine Italian centers of dermatology in order to observe the outcome of the treatments of these common skin neoplasms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 182 patients were enrolled in 2 cohorts: the first included 144/182 patients (79.1%) evaluated after 6 months from clinical remission, and the second 116/182 (63.7%) evaluated for at least 12 months after clinical remission. Patients were previously treated with topical diclofenac 3% in hyaluronic acid, cryotherapy, photodynamic, curettage or imiquimod cream.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with history of malignant skin diseases showed an increased number of new lesions at 16 months from baseline (12 months from remission) compared to patients without history of cancers (mean 1.58 versus 1.17). Hyperkeratotic lesions healed more rapidly but relapsed at 6 months more frequently than non-hyperkeratotic ones (32.9% versus 20.7%). The results showed gender-related differences: male patients recovered better and independently from the treatment used; in contrast, men showed a higher recurrence (32% at 6 months and 6.6% between 6 and 12 months versus 16% at 6 months and 5.9% between 6 and 12 months for females) and a higher average number of new lesions after 12 months from remission (1.6 versus 0.88 for females).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results may suggest a lower adherence to photoprotection in male patients. Hyperkeratotic lesions recurred mostly at 6 months in comparison to non-hyperkeratotic lesions.
authors.affiliation: DiSSal Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, San Martino - IST, Genoa, Italy - javor.med@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Javor
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chimenti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patrizi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stingeni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pellacani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cavicchini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sala
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rongioletti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parodi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017679:Cryotherapy; D003475:Curettage; D004008:Diclofenac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction; D012737:Sex Factors; D013473:Sunscreening Agents
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D004008:Diclofenac; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D000077271:Imiquimod