Background/Aim: Rapid onset of facial ptosis can impact physical appearance and compromise the outcomes of facelift procedures. The level of vitamin D has a potential correlation with collagen formation and its deficiency with inflammatory processes that affect the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between accentuated facial ptosis in women and low levels of vitamin D. Furthermore, it aims to explore preventive measures or strategies to slow down facial ptosis and enhance the longevity of facelift results. Materials and Methods: The study was focused on monitoring the vitamin D levels in women and men with advanced facial ptosis and comparing them with a control group. Results: Notably, a direct association between gender and serum vitamin D levels was observed, indicating less sustainable outcomes in women. Conclusions: Women face additional challenges in the aging process due to hormonal shifts after menopause or premenopausal, which are associated with osteoporosis and lower vitamin D levels.

Facelifting is increasingly popular among the population. It exceeded the limits of post-traumatic facia-reconstruction. Both the demand and the methods available are getting increasingly diverse. The minimally invasive technique revolutionized the facelift, although it took some time to completely comprehend the mechanics. The roles of vitamin D in numerous physiological processes in which it is involved have mostly been elucidated in the last decade. Our hypothesis is based on one of these roles, that is, vitamin D intervenes in changing the type of collagen by changing its location; therefore, collagen will have a supporting role for the subcutaneous tissue. A group of 156 patients with different facelifting methods was followed: 93 minimally invasive (NC), 49 classical surgery (C) and 14 with the combined technique (NC + C). The change in the subcutaneous tissue was monitored by an elastograph. The level of vitamin D was monitored in order to assess the immediate and long-term effects of vitamin D on the progression of subcutaneous fibrosis. It was proven that an optimal level of vitamin D has a beneficial effect in maintaining the volume of subcutaneous tissue in patients from the NC and NC + C groups, the best results being in the NC + C group. An increase in the subcutaneous volume was recorded, which leads to a decrease in elasticity (statistical significance p < 0.05) and the lowering of the subcutaneous tissue, and an increased amount of lowering corresponds to a lowering of vitamin D levels.

Background/Aim: Rapid onset of facial ptosis can impact physical appearance and compromise the outcomes of facelift procedures. The level of vitamin D has a potential correlation with collagen formation and its deficiency with inflammatory processes that affect the breakdown of hyaluronic acid. This study aims to investigate the potential relationship between accentuated facial ptosis in women and low levels of vitamin D. Furthermore, it aims to explore preventive measures or strategies to slow down facial ptosis and enhance the longevity of facelift results. Materials and Methods: The study was focused on monitoring the vitamin D levels in women and men with advanced facial ptosis and comparing them with a control group. Results: Notably, a direct association between gender and serum vitamin D levels was observed, indicating less sustainable outcomes in women. Conclusion: Women face additional challenges in the aging process due to hormonal shifts after menopause or premenopausal, which are associated with osteoporosis and lower vitamin D levels.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) represents an uncommon disorder characterized by cystic lung destruction and chronic respiratory failure. Lung damage caused by various mechanisms may represent a hypothesis for studying the association between LAM and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is the most prevalent autoinflammatory rheumatic disease and may affect the lungs as an extra-articular manifestation. Despite their distinct clinical presentations, the pathophysiology of both disorders includes dysregulated immunological function, abnormal cellular development, and inflammation. Current research suggests a potential relationship between RA and LAM, as some RA patients have been reported to develop LAM. However, the association of RA and LAM raises important therapeutic dilemmas. For this reason, the trajectory of a patient who was identified in our medical records as suffering from both LAM and RA, treated with many novel molecules and biological therapy, but with a negative outcome due to respiratory and multiorgan failure, has been exemplified. The delay in the diagnosis of LAM is due to a correlation between RA and LAM, worsening the vital prognosis and also hindering pulmonary transplantation. In addition, extensive research is essential for understanding the potential connection between these two disorders and discovering any similar mechanisms involved that may underlie their occurrence. This may contribute to the development of new therapeutic options that target shared pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of RA and LAM.