CC BY
1SECTION - MEDICAL SCIENCES СЕКЦИЯ - МЕДИЦИНСКИЕ НАУКИ
UDC 616.5
Nazarova Zhuldyz Zholdasbaykyzy
Kazakh scientific center of dermatology and infectious diseases
Kazakhstan, Almaty
MODERN APPROACHES TO THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF
SKIN AND VENEREAL DISEASES
Abstract: This scientific study examines skin and venereal diseases, their significance for public health, and clinical manifestations. It highlights common skin pathologies, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and dermatitis, caused by genetic, allergic, and infectious factors. Venereal diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV/AIDS), their epidemiology, and pathogenesis are also studied. The article analyzes modern diagnostic methods, including laboratory tests, dermatoscopy, and innovative technologies. Preventive measures, such as vaccination and educational programs, are emphasized as means to reduce disease prevalence. The importance of an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment and prevention of these diseases is underscored.
Keywords: Skin diseases, venereal diseases, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, vaccination.
INTRODUCTION
Skin and venereal pathology occupies the first place in the structure of somatic morbidity of the general population and provides the largest contribution to the reduction of health, quality of life, and social activity. The huge range of clinical signs and causes of sicknesses significantly restrict the procedure of diagnosing and treating conditions. Skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, and acne are seen as some of the most common, impacting both the physical and mental well-being of patients. These sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV/AIDS, are a significant health concern in these nations, leading to significant socioeconomic costs.
With so many ways of diagnosis and treatment, modern medicine has a long way to go in combating skin and venereal diseases. In this respect, the substantial prevalence and complication necessarily require the profound analysis of the determinants of their development. Technologies of the future like molecular diagnostics, dermatoscopy, and telemedicine are bound to give a better diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
The paper is dedicated to the analysis of the present state of knowledge in the field of skin and venereal diseases, assessment of the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment possibilities of these pathologies, and the assessment of their socio-economic effects. Considerable attention is given to promising technologies and interdisciplinary approaches for enhancing the efficiency of prevention and treatment.
MAIN PART. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF COMMON SKIN DISEASES Cutaneous disorders comprise a big segment of dermatological practice and noticeably influence the patient's quality of life. On the whole, according to WHO, more than 20% of the world's population suffers from skin pathology [1].
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by reddening and scaling with silvery scaling of the skin. Clinical hallmarks are itching, tenderness of the affected area, and its typical sites of predilection, like scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back, including the nails. Even joints can be affected in most severe courses, thus causing a psoriatic arthritis.
According to a 2024 study by the International Psoriasis Council, 35-71% of the patients with involvement of less than 10% of body surface were found to have a moderate to highly important influence on daily functioning (fig. 1).
normal ability to participate in social roles
higher likelihood of depression
minimal effect on quality of life
126%
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Figure 1. Impact of psoriasis on people's social life [2]
This statistics highlights the significance of getting to know modern methods for diagnosing and treating psoriasis, given its exquisite consequences on sufferers' properly-being, social interactions, and psychological well-being.
Eczema is an extended-lasting inflammatory skin condition diagnosed with the aid of a repeating sample and distinctive medical functions. Eczema frequently develops because of a mix of genetic, immunological, and environmental elements, which includes allergens, irritants, and climate conditions [3]. Atopic dermatitis affects 1-2% of adults and makes up 30-40% of pores and skin diseases (fig. 2).
Eczema is defined via redness of the skin, itching, dryness, and the development of small vesicles that can wreck open, inflicting oozing. During the persistent segment, thickening of the pores and skin (lichenification) and the appearance of cracks are regularly visible.
eczema
Figure 2. Schematic representation of eczema
Acne, which on the whole impacts 85% of young adults and teenagers in this age variety, is the maximum popular skin situation [4]. It includes open and closed comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts because of inflammation from sebaceous glands and hair follicles (fig. 3).
Pore is sealed with skin
Sebaceous / Bacteria gland
Dead skin cells
While blood
Pus
(white blood cells and
C an products from
an Infection bacU¡r|a| reproduct|on)
Inflammation
Healthy
Whitehead Blackhead
Papule
Pustule
Figure 3. Types of acne Open comedones seem of their everyday coloration, which is black because of the oxidation of sebum, at the same time as closed comedones seem as white bumps under the skin. The face, lower back, chest, and shoulders are wherein sebaceous glands are maximum densely placed. The illness can be a form of psychological torment for individuals, causing a decrease in self-assurance and a decline in the overall quality of life for those affected.
Dermatitis involves contact and seborrheic dermatitis, a malady affecting millions worldwide. Recent studies estimated the global burden of seborrheic dermatitis as 4,38% in 2024. For overall occurrence, it become 5,64% for adults, 3,7% for kids, and 0,23% for newborns [5]. Seborrheic dermatitis is an erythematous and scaling eruption of the skin, with itching, involving those areas of the frame which might be richly furnished with sebaceous glands, like the scalp, face, and higher chest.
Contact dermatitis is considered to be a disease of acquisition, which more frequently affects female patients. It consists of an inflammatory reaction due to various irritants or allergens. Typical clinical signs are: redness, swelling, the appearance of vesicles that may burst with erosion, and pronounced itching. These
conditions bring not only physical discomfort but also a great deterioration in the quality of life and thereby outline the necessity of elaboration of the effective methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF VENEREAL DISEASES
Venereal diseases remain a significant public health issue. According to WHO, global epidemics of HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) continue to pose major public health challenges, claiming 2,5 million lives annually [6].
Chlamydia is an infectious agent created by a bacterium Chlamydia trachomatistaken to be one of the most prevalent sexual transmissions. So, lots of cases of the disease progress asymptomatic, partly explaining such high prevalence of infection. Clinical manifestations can be very variable when symptoms appear. The symptoms of chlamydia include extraordinary discharge from the genital tract, painful urination, decrease abdominal pain, intermenstrual bleeding, or pain throughout sex in women, while in guys, the signs are painful urethral discharge and scrotal swelling.
Gonorrhea is also an STI by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The WHO stipulates that this is also among the most frequent STI. Other curable STI, according to WHO, are chlamydia and syphilis. There is extra than 1 million new contamination each day [7]. The symptoms encompass discharge in the urethra or vagina, painful urination with burning sensation, common urination.
Syphilis is the continual infection produced through manner of the bacterium Treponema pallidum and remained one of the maximum vital sexually transmitted infections. According to WHO, numerous international locations reported rises in cases of adult and congenital syphilis all through the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical manifestations of syphilis are related to the stage of the disorder. Primary, it's far a self-proscribing ulcer that does not hurt at the website of entry, like on the genitalia, mouth, or anus. The most vast signs and symptoms within the secondary level of the sickness are rash inside the skin and mucous membrane, fever, lymphadenopathy, sore throat, and preferred malaise.
The global pandemic persists with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). UNAIDS said that during 2023, there were 39,9 million human beings with HIV, alongside facet 1,3 million new infections and 630,000 deaths associated with AIDS [8]. Symptoms of HIV infection can vary from no signs and symptoms to AIDS, which incorporates frequent infections from opportunistic pathogens, tumors, weight reduction, and organ complications. Initial signs include temperature elevation, lymph node enlargement, tiredness, nocturnal perspiration, and weight reduction, however throughout the advanced phase of the illness, critical infections like pneumocystis pneumonia, tuberculosis, candidiasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and lymphomas occur.
In the treatment of HIV, the primary difficulty is the lack of ability to absolutely remedy the ailment because the virus can combine into the host cell genome, making it difficult for many present day capsules to attain. Antiretroviral remedy efficaciously inhibits viral reproduction, lowers the viral matter to undetectable ranges, and hinders the development to AIDS. Nevertheless, due to the fact that ART calls for lifelong commitment to strict adherence and tracking, as well as the excessive cost of the drugs, it continues to give vast demanding situations for nations with confined assets. MODERN APPROACHES TO THE DIAGNOSIS OF SKIN AND VENEREAL
DISEASES
Nowadays, diagnosis of skin and venereal diseases is represented by a complex of laboratory methods, visual technologies, and the newest solutions correspondingly. Laboratory methods include serological tests and PCR. Serological checks stumble on antibodies in opposition to infectious retailers; accordingly, they're of predominant significance within the diagnostics of syphilis and HIV. Because of the high degree of sensitivity and specificity of the technique, specifically for cases with mild and asymptomatic displays, PCR will be the method of preference for figuring out such pathogens as Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Moreover, ocular techniques are important for diagnosing cutaneous disorders. Dermatoscopy can provide the chance to observe skin structures at a microscopic level,
thus improving diagnostic outcomes regarding psoriasis, dermatitis, and especially melanoma in an early stage.
The integration of visual technologies, such as AI and telemedicine, opens new frontiers for diagnostics. These enable the early detection of specific diseases with very high precision, leaving out human error in cases of skin image analysis by respective AI algorithms. Finally, telemedicine platforms ensure access to specialized care from a distance-a fact highly appreciated by patients from remote areas.
In contemporary world, evaluation from a go-disciplinary angle is gaining extra importance. The collaborative efforts of a dermatologist, infectious disorder professional, immunologist, and microbiologist provide a terrific risk to very well evaluate scientific signs and particular risk elements. This is specifically critical for patients with concurrent illnesses.
TREATMENT OF SKIN DISEASES Conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne are clinically distinct and differ in terms of severity, with each requiring different approaches to treatment. Traditional treatment options, both topical and systemic, are now being enhanced by the use of advanced technologies, gene therapy, and biologic agents, expanding the range of available methods for managing chronic skin disorders (table 1).
Table 1. Main methods of skin disease treatment
Treatment method Examples Application
Medication therapy Topical treatments: corticosteroids, retinoids, antiinflammatory creams. Used to decrease irritation, itching, and to enhance skin situation in light to slight types of the illnesses, consisting of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Systemic treatments: methotrexate, cyclosporine, isotretinoin. Indicated in severe types of sicknesses, consisting of psoriasis or intense pimples, whilst topical remedy isn't always effective.
Non- medication methods Physi otherapy: ultravi ol et therapy, laser treatment. Effective in treating chronic skin diseases, such as psoriasis, in combination with medication therapy.
Psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral therapy. Applied for the management of psychological disorders associated with chronic skin diseases, such as depression and anxiety.
Innovative approaches Gene therapy: methods to edit genes aimed at correcting genetic defects. Promising for the treatment of hereditary skin diseases like epidermolysis bullosa.
Biological treatments: Designed to specifically target immune interleukin inhibitors (IL-17, processes underlying inflammatory diseases _ IL-23), monoclonal antibodies. like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis._
A complete approach to the remedy of pores and skin diseases, combining conventional and revolutionary methods, enables powerful management of each acute and chronic pathological techniques.
TREATMENT OF VENEREAL DISEASES Effective treatment of venereal diseases requires a comprehensive and multi-level approach, including the use of antibacterial and antiviral drugs, therapy for sexual partners, and preventive measures such as vaccination (table 2).
Table 2. Main approaches to the treatment of venereal diseases
Treatment method Examples of drugs and measures Description
Antibacterial therapy Azithromycin, doxycycline, penicillin, ceftriaxone Used for treating bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Antibiotics are prescribed individually based on the pathogen and its sensitivity.
Antiviral therapy Tenofovir, lamivudine, integrase inhibitors (raltegravir) Used for treating viral infections such as HIV and hepatitis B, suppressing viral replication and preventing disease progression.
Partner therapy Examination and treatment of all sexual partners. Helps break the chain of infection transmission, reduce the risk of reinfection, and improve the epidemiological situation.
Prevention of reinfection Use of condoms, educational programs. Education about the transmission routes, in view of raising the awareness on the use of barrier methods of contraception.
Vaccination Vaccines against HPV and hepatitis B. Prevents infections that give rise to cancer, such as cervical cancer, and viral hepatitis B. The elaboration of a vaccine against HIV remains one of the priority tasks.
Effective treatment of venereal diseases calls for integration of aetiologic treatment, preventive measures, and vaccination. The educational program creates awareness of the risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures hence acting as a means of disease early detection and early consultation for problems, especially among the youth who belong to the highest risk groups.
Hygienic and behavioral measures, together with personal hygiene and avoiding volatile contacts, decrease the possibility of infection. A broad method in training, vaccination, and hygiene reduces sickness prevalence, improves nice of existence, and
lowers treatment charges. The implementation of latest preventive packages need to usually remain within the priorities of healthcare structures.
CONCLUSION
Only complex and multipurpose approach using all modern methods of diagnosis and treatment, tailored by pathogenesis and implemented to individual patient combined with prevention on different levels will guarantee effective management of skin and venereal diseases. Thus, laboratory and visual technologies complemented by new generation therapy - biological treatments - through telemedicine significantly enhances treatment outcomes and reduces incidence/prevalence.
The study highlights the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration among dermatologists, venereologists, and primary care specialists to ensure timely and high-quality care. Such cooperation enhances the effectiveness of medical interventions, improves patients' quality of life, and reduces the socioeconomic burden associated with these conditions.
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