Shahin Aghaei

By Shahin Aghaei

Part of the book: Tailored Treatments in Psoriatic Patients

By Shahin Aghaei and Ali Moradi

Part of the book: Pigmentation Disorders

By Shahin Aghaei, Taha Ashouritalouki and Asma Damizadeh

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a durable inflammatory skin disorder that meaningfully influences the quality-of-life (QoL) indexes of children and the families. This review comprehensively explores the multifaceted effects of AD on QoL, examining the physical, psychological, emotional, and social challenges faced by affected children. The physical symptoms, particularly chronic pruritus and sleep disturbances, disrupt daily activities and academic performance, leading to long-term consequences on physical and cognitive development. The psychological burden of AD is profound, with children experiencing increased risks of anxiety, depression, and social isolation due to the visibility of their condition and associated stigmatization. Family dynamics are also deeply affected, as caregivers must manage the complex and ongoing demands of treatment, often resulting in significant emotional and financial stress. This review further evaluates current management strategies, including topical, systemic, and non-pharmacologic treatments, and their respective impacts on improving QoL. Despite advancements in treatment, barriers such as access to care, treatment adherence, and the chronic nature of AD continue to challenge effective QoL improvement. Future directions emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach, incorporating emerging therapies, digital health technologies, and comprehensive psychosocial support to enhance long-term outcomes for pediatric patients with AD. This review highlights the ongoing need for innovative research and holistic management strategies to address the complex needs of this vulnerable population.

Part of the book: Dermatology

By Shahin Aghaei and Roya Zeinali

Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) represents a significant advancement in non-invasive dermatological imaging, offering near-histological resolution for the diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers. Multiple studies have demonstrated that RCM enhances diagnostic accuracy when used adjunctively with dermoscopy, particularly in lesions with ambiguous clinical or dermoscopic forms and contributes to a reduction in unnecessary surgical excisions. This chapter examines RCM’s clinical applications, diagnostic performance, and implementation challenges. Key findings demonstrate that RCM achieves superior specificity (82 vs. 42%) compared to dermoscopy alone, reduces unnecessary excisions by 30–40%, and maintains high sensitivity (90–98%) for melanoma detection. While equipment costs and training requirements present barriers to widespread adoption, RCM’s ability to provide real-time, cellular-level imaging makes it an invaluable adjunct in modern dermatology practice.

Part of the book: Melanoma