Background/Objectives: Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is a common immune-mediated inflammatory disorder affecting the oral mucosa, impacting 0.5% to 2% of the global population, primarily middle-aged women. Immunological dysregulation is a key factor in OLP’s pathogenesis, involving CD4+ T helper and CD8+ T cytotoxic cells. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies OLP as a potentially malignant disorder, with a risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) developing in up to 2% of lesions. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic strategies for OLP, informing clinical practice and guiding future research. Methods: A review of the literature from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to December 2023, focusing on studies addressing the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of OLP. Results: OLP’s pathogenesis is driven by immune dysregulation, with CD4+ and CD8+ cells playing crucial roles. Clinically, OLP presents as reticular, erosive, bullous, and plaque-like lesions. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, histopathology, and direct immunofluorescence. Recent advancements in diagnostic markers and imaging techniques have improved detection and monitoring. Treatment primarily involves corticosteroids, but novel therapies such as curcumin, retinoids, and laser therapy are increasingly used for their effectiveness and reduced side effects. These treatments show promise in symptom reduction and recurrence prevention, although long-term data are needed. Conclusions: Regular screenings and biopsies are essential due to OLP’s likelihood of malignant transformation. This study urges further investigation into long-term results, improved diagnostic techniques, and evidence-based treatment regimens.

Introduction: Self-medication is a growing public health concern worldwide. Studies have shown a gap between best practice and the current practice of using over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Despite being a well-recognised problem in Saudi Arabia, few studies have investigated OTC medication use in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the attitudes and knowledge of parents regarding OTC medication use in the Jeddah region, Saudi Arabia. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out via an electronic questionnaire sent randomly to parents over four months, from 1 January to 30 April 2022. The participants’ characteristics and categorical variables were represented descriptively by frequency and percentage. A Chi-square test was used to test the relationship between the variables. Results: In total, 211 questionnaires were included in this study. Females represented 54.5% of the participants included in the study. Parents belonging to the 18-to-30-year-old group comprised the highest percentage (37.9%), and most of the parents (72.9%) had received an undergraduate education. Family physicians were the most common source (37.3%) of information about OTC medications, whereas more than half of parents purchased OTC medications from the community pharmacy (58.8%). While almost half of the parents (52.1%) visited a family physician when side effects of OTC medications appeared in their children, only (33.6%) stopped giving their children the OTC medicine. The relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics (including educational level, marital status, and employment status) and OTC drug consumption was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Educational campaigns are needed to guide patients about the proper use of OTC medications. Studies on OTC medication use are lacking in Saudi Arabia in terms of its frequency, reasons for use, type of self-medication, and contributing factors.

Background: Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition, imposes significant burdens on patients’ well-being. While corticosteroid medications are commonly used, their prolonged use presents risks. Statins, known for their immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory properties, have emerged as potential alternatives. Previous reviews indicated that statins might improve psoriasis symptoms but showed inconsistent results and lacked meta-analyses that generated pooled effect estimates. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by providing a comprehensive overview of the impact of statins on psoriasis severity and quality of life (QoL) for patients with psoriasis. Methods: A thorough search of four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Science Direct) was conducted for relevant studies published before April 2024. Results: Seven studies involving 369 patients were included. This meta-analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in PASI scores at week 8 with statin treatment (MD = −1.96, 95% CI [−3.14, −0.77], p = 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was found between statins and placebo at week 12 (MD = 0.19, 95% CI [−0.18, 0.55]). Additionally, DLQI scores indicated a significant improvement in quality of life with statins compared to placebo (MD = −3.16, 95% CI [−5.55, −0.77]). Conclusions: Statins can improve disease severity and quality of life in psoriasis patients, suggesting the potential benefits of statin therapy. However, further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment duration, address outcome heterogeneity, and explore additional benefits such as cholesterol and triglyceride reduction.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of impetigo among children in Saudi Arabia as well as to identify socio-demographic factors associated with impetigo. Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia examined impetigo prevalence and associated factors among children aged 2 to 15. Data collection occurred between June 2022 and November 2023, involving structured interviews with the parents or legal guardians of the participating children. A pre-designed questionnaire was used, which included questions related to personal hygiene practices (such as, frequency of handwashing, bathing routines, and use of communal facilities), environmental conditions, and the child’s impetigo diagnosis history. Results: The study encompassed a total of 1200 participants, with a predominant representation of female (79.3%). Participants exhibited a diverse age distribution, with the highest proportion falling within the 18– 24 age group (33.7%). Importantly, a statistically significant association was identified between the occurrence of impetigo in children and their personal hygiene scores (p < 0.001). Children with a confirmed impetigo diagnosis exhibited lower mean personal hygiene scores (2.6 ± 0.723) in contrast to those without such diagnoses (3.75 ± 0.911). Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors, including child’s gender, parental education level, employment status, and geographic location, emerge as significant determinants of impetigo occurrence. Additionally, there is a strong correlation between proper personal hygiene practices and a reduced incidence of impetigo.

Melasma is a challenging hyperpigmentation disorder affecting predominantly women with darker skin tones. Despite various treatments, achieving consistent and effective results remains difficult. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent, particularly through intradermal injections, but its optimal concentration, delivery method, and combination therapies remain unclear. In this study, the authors aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of injectable TXA, focusing on its use alone and in combination with other treatments, such as hydroquinone, for melasma. A network meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials was conducted, involving 358 participants. Data on melasma subtype, TXA concentration, delivery method, and treatment outcomes (Melasma Area and Severity Index [MASI] scores) were extracted. Statistical analysis was performed using a random-effects model, assessing both direct and indirect comparisons. The combination of TXA and 4% hydroquinone showed the most significant improvement in MASI scores compared with other interventions, demonstrating superior efficacy. Adverse effects were mild and transient, including injection-site pain and erythema, underscoring a favorable safety profile. Injectable TXA, especially in combination with hydroquinone, is an effective treatment for melasma. Standardized protocols and long-term studies are needed to optimize its use. Level of Evidence: 3 (Therapeutic)