Dermatology
22 Nov Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Lip Predominantly Affects White Men in Their Mid-60s
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_29923" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Dr. Albert Han[/caption]
Albert Yoon-Kyu Han, PhD
Class of 2017
Medical Scientist Training Program
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lip makes up a large portion of oral cancers (25%). Most of the demographic and prognostic indicators for lip SCC are only available through retrospective case series. Thus, we used the national cancer database (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results, or SEER) to examine the incidence, treatment, and survival of patients with lip SCC.
The main findings of this study were that lip Squamous cell carcinoma predominantly affects white men in their mid-60s. We also found that the determinants of survival for lip SCC include age at diagnosis, primary site, T stage, and N stage. More specifically, on the primary site, SCC of the upper and lower lip had similar survival, whereas SCC of the oral commissure was associated with decreased survival.
22 Nov Cutaneous Fungal Infections Are Commonly Misdiagnosed
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_29900" align="alignleft" width="160"]
Dr. Adam Friedman[/caption]
Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Residency Program Director
Director of Translational Research
Department of Dermatology
George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study was developed out of a session I and my colleague, Neal Bhatia, held at the 2016 Orlando Dermatology Aesthetic and Clinical Conference.
As an interactive session which had the audience answer whether they clinically thought an image was representative of a fungal skin infection or not, we collected audience responses and were impressed by how even dermatologists struggle with making this diagnosis clinically. This is not so surprising given the protean nature and diverse presentations of these infections, not to mention the many mimics which are not due to infection. Only one of the thirteen images shown was appropriately diagnosed by 90% of the audience. This highlights that the importance of using bedside diagnostic techniques such as KOH preps and culture to identify underlying cause in order to appropriately use the right therapy for the right condition.
18 Nov Risk Factors For Adult Acne Identified
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Luigi Naldi, MD Director Centro Studi GISED Department of Dermatology Azienda Ospedaliera papa Giovanni XXIII Bergamo Italy MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: The study was the natural continuation of a previous case-control study focusing on risk factors for moderate to severe acne in adolescents. In that study, we documented the role of a westernized diet to influence acne severity, with a low weekly intake of fruits or vegetables, a low consumption of fresh fish and a high consumption of milk especially skim milk, being risk factors for moderate to severe acne. Not surprisingly, also a family history of acne was associated with acne severity. After completion of our study in adolescents, we realized that very little was known about acne in adults. Hence, we started a new case-control study focusing on risk factors for adult female acne. Besides the role of a family history, we documented that lifestyle factors could play an important role in adult acne. More specifically, being an office worker, and having a high level of reported psychological stress were associated with acne in adult women. In addition, similarly to acne in adolescents, low weekly intake of fruits or vegetables and a low consumption of fresh fish were documented as risk factors. It is important to find the reason for your acne. But it is also important to know that there is pretty much always a solution to dealing with this. It is understandable that many people find it hard to deal with, but it is something that you shouldn't let ruin your life. If you are someone who suffers with acne and are not sure on what the next steps are to help manage this effectively, it might be in your best interest to look into something like a cbd pure review from companies such as HerbMighty. You might be able to find the answers that you have been looking for when it comes to your acne.15 Nov Immunotherapy Tofacitinib Can Halt Alopecia Areata
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Morton Scheinberg, MD, PhD From Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein and Hospital AACD, São Paulo, and Clinica Dermatosineida, Maringa, Parana, Brazil. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: That universal hair loss associated with a localized autoimmune reaction on the cells involved with the hair follicles can be halted with tofacitinib.15 Nov Mitotic Rate Correlates With Sentinel Lymph Node Status and Outcome in Cutaneous Melanoma
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Mario Mandalà, MD Division of Oncology, Department of Oncology and Hematology Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital Bergamo, Italy. MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: The 7th edition of the TNM AJCC classification incorporated mitotic rate (MR) only for primary cutaneous melanoma with Breslow thickness ≤1 mm. We investigated whether and to what extent MR is able to predict sentinel lymph node (SLN) status and clinical outcome of primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) patients with BT >1 mm.14 Nov Do Dysplastic Moles Need To Be Re-Excised?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Timothy Patton, DO Department of Dermatology Falk Medical Center University of Pittsburgh Medical Center MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: As dermatologists we are confronted daily with how to manage lesions that are biopsied and diagnosed as dysplastic nevi. These lesions are considered by some to be potential melanoma precursors and by others as benign lesions with little to no malignant potential. Often, particularly for lesions with severe atypia these lesions are re excised. There are no prospective studies or consistent guidelines as to how to manage these lesions. We decided to retrospectively look at the outcome of 451 patients with dysplastic nevi with severe atypia, many of whom had not had their lesions re-excised, who had at least 5 years of follow up to determine if any developed melanoma at the site of the biopsied dysplastic nevus or distantly. We found no cases of metastatic melanoma in patients who did not already have a diagnosis of melanoma. We found two cases of thin melanoma in patients who had their lesions re-excised. Both of those patients were treated with reexcision and did not develop subsequent melanoma metastasis or recurrence.10 Nov Skin Surveillance Can Be Tailored To Individuals at Higher Risk of Melanoma
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28969" align="alignleft" width="133"]
Dr. Caroline Watts[/caption]
Caroline Watts | Research Fellow
Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research
Sydney School of Public Health
Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) investigator
The University of Sydney
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The Melanoma Patterns of Care study was a population-based observational study of physicians’ reported clinical management of 2727 patients diagnosed with an in situ or invasive primary melanoma over a 12-month period from October 2006 to 2007 in New South Wales, Australia. This paper investigated the differences between 1052 (39%) patients who were defined as higher risk owing to a family history of melanoma, multiple primary melanomas, or many nevi (moles) compared to patients who did not have any risk factors.
We found that the higher-risk group had a younger mean age at diagnosis compared to those without risk factors, (62 vs 65 years, P < .001) which varied by type of risk factor (56 years for patients with a family history, 59 years for those with many nevi, and 69 years for those with a previous melanoma). These age differences were consistent across all body sites. Among higher-risk patients, those with many nevi were more likely to have melanoma on the trunk (41% vs 29%, P < .001), those with a family history of melanoma were more likely to have melanomas on the limbs (57%vs 42%, P < .001), and those with a personal history were more likely to have melanoma on the head and neck (21% vs 15%, P < .001).
06 Nov Rosacea May Be a Cutaneous Manifestation of Migraine
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_21019" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Dr. Alexander Egeberg[/caption]
Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD
Gentofte Hospital
Department of Dermatology and Allergy
Hellerup Denmark
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Patients with rosacea frequently report symptoms of migraine, and this link has been discussed for many years. However, very little research has actually been performed in this area, and the prevalence varies greatly between studies. We examined the prevalence of migraine in patients with rosacea, nationwide, as well as the risk of new-onset migraine in patients with manifest rosacea. We found a markedly increased prevalence of migraine among patients with rosacea. The risk of new-onset migraine was also higher among patients with rosacea, but only among women. Perhaps most notably was the observation that risk of new-onset migraine was highest among patients older than 50 years. This was surprising, since new-onset migraine in older individuals is often considered a "red flag".
04 Nov JAK Inhibitor Tofacitinib Regrows Hair In Patients With Severe Alopecia Areata
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_29402" align="alignleft" width="133"]
Dr. Brett King[/caption]
Brett A. King, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor Department of Dermatology
School of Medicine
Yale University
New Haven, CT 06520
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) have yielded Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as a promising therapy. Short-term treatment with the JAK inhibitor, tofacitinib, has shown efficacy for severe AA, alopecia totalis (AT), and alopecia universalis (AU), but long-term data are lacking.
In this retrospective series of patients aged 18 years or older treated with tofacitinib, of 65 potential responders to therapy, defined as those with AT or AU with duration of current episode of disease of 10 years or less or AA, 77% achieved at least some hair regrowth, with 58% of patients achieving greater than 50% change in SALT score and 20% of patients achieving complete scalp hair regrowth over 4 to 18 months of treatment. Tofacitinib was well tolerated, and there were no serious adverse events.
27 Oct Electronic Prescriptions More Likely To Be Filled By Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_29122" align="alignleft" width="142"]
Dr.Adewole S. Adamson[/caption]
Adewole S. Adamson, MD, MPP
Department of Dermatology
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: As the United States has moved to increasing levels of electronic medical record keeping, electronic prescribing has become an important part of improving the quality of care and patient experience. E-prescribing increases co-ordination between pharmacist and physician and decreases prescription errors. However, it is less certain whether e-prescribing affects patient primary adherence to medications, meaning whether or not a patient will fill and pick up their medication at the pharmacy. Although it may seem intuitive that primary adherence would increase by removing the patient from the prescription-to-pharmacy routing process, there have been few studies directly comparing primary adherence of patients given traditional paper prescriptions versus e-prescriptions.
26 Oct 99% of Dermatologists Recommend Sunscreen Use to Their Family and Friends
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Aaron S. Farberg, MD Department of Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Regular sunscreen use is a critical component of sun protection and has been shown to reduce skin cancer risk. However, there have often been conflicting sunscreen messages (sometimes without scientific support) that have led to confusion by the public. Controversy has also emerged surrounding the safety and possibility of adverse effects from various sunscreen ingredients. The purpose of this study was to determine US dermatologists’ actual sunscreen perceptions, potential safety concerns as well as their recommendations and personal usage. Some people are so affected by the sun that they require a brand of Custom Sunscreens to help protect them from the sun. Our study found that dermatologists have an overall positive view of sunscreen. 97% of dermatologists agree that regular sunscreen use helps lower skin cancer risk, 100% agree that it reduces subsequent photoaging, and 99% recommend their family/friends use sunscreen. Nearly all (96%) consider FDA approved sunscreens currently available in the US to be safe and (99%) believe their patients generally under-apply sunscreen.17 Oct Taltz (ixekizumab) Can Improve Palmoplantar Psoriasis For Up To 60 Weeks
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28956" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Dr. Alan Menter[/caption]
Dr. Alan Menter MD
Texas Dermatology Associates
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Psoriasis on the palms and soles of the feet—also known as palmoplantar psoriasis of which there are 2 variants, plaque type or pustular, —can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and is often difficult-to-treat with available treatments. Researchers in this study set out to determine the efficacy and safety of Taltz (ixekizumab) through 60 weeks among patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis with significant palmoplantar involvement. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis appearing as raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells which are often painful or itchy. This study was an analysis of UNCOVER-3, a Phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
In the first 12 weeks of this study, patients were randomized to receive placebo, etanercept (50 mg, twice-weekly) or 80 mg of Taltz every two weeks or every four weeks, following an initial starting dose of 160 mg. At 12 weeks, all patients received open-label Taltz every four weeks through 60 weeks.
13 Oct Vitiligo Susceptibility Genes Associated With Immune Regulation Identified
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28848" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Dr. Richard Spritz,[/caption]
Richard A. Spritz, M.D.
Professor and Director,
Human Medical Genetics and Genomics Program
University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Aurora, CO 80045 USA
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease in which depigmented skin results from destruction of skin melanocytes, with strong epidemiologic association with several other autoimmune diseases that include autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, and Addison’s disease.
In previous genetic linkage and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of vitiligo patients of European-derived white ancestry (EUR), we identified 27 vitiligo susceptibility loci. In the present study, we carried out a third GWAS of vitiligo in EUR subjects. The combined analysis, with almost 5,000 vitiligo cases and 40,000 non-vitiligo controls, identified a total 23 new confirmed vitiligo loci, as well as seven with suggestive significance.
13 Oct 10-Year Mortality Risk Raised With Atopic Dermatitis, But Lower Than Psoriasis
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_21019" align="alignleft" width="200"] Dr. Alexander Egeberg[/caption]
Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD
Gentofte Hospital
Department of Dermatology and Allergy
Hellerup Denmark
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: In recent years, numerous studies have examined the impact of psoriasis and associated comorbidities, and found a reduced lifespan in particular among patients with severe disease. However, little is known about the impact and burden of adults with atopic dermatitis. We looked at the 10-year survival among patients hospitalized for atopic dermatitis, and compared these with patients hospitalized for psoriasis, as well as with subjects from the general population.
Our main finding was that, although the mortality risk was higher for atopic dermatitis compared with general population control subjects, the risk was significantly lower compared with psoriasis patients.
12 Oct Open Payment Data Discloses Industry-Dermatology Financial Relationships
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28564" align="alignleft" width="90"]
Dr. Hao Feng[/caption]
Hao Feng, M.D., M.H.S.
Resident, Department of Dermatology
NYU Langone Medical Center
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Recently, there has been an increased scrutiny on industry-physician interactions and emphasis on disclosures of interactions. While we know about the types of interaction between dermatologists and industry, we wanted to understand that relationship more in depth by probing the Open Payment database.
11 Oct Tildrakizumab Offers Potential New Psoriasis Treatment With Quarterly Dosing
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr. Kristian Reich Professor of Dermatology at the Georg-August-University Göttingen and inflammation specialist Dermatologikum Hamburg in Germany MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: While there is ongoing research into the causes and triggers of psoriasis, recent studies have identified IL-23 as a main driver of the IL-23/IL-17 pathway which is now thought to be the predominant pathway in the psoriasis inflammatory cascade. Selective Inhibition of IL-23 may present a new targeted strategy for treating patients with the condition. The hope for molecules selectively targeting IL-23, specifically the p19 component of the cytokine, is that newer therapies, like tildrakizumab, can more selectively control the disease allowing more patients to achieve higher and even more durable clinical responses. The two pivotal Phase-3 studies (reSURFACE 1 and 2) evaluated the efficacy and safety of the IL-23 inhibitor tildrakizumab in adult patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, and results through week 28 were presented for the first time as part of the Late Breaking News Session at EADV. In the reSURFACE 1 and 2 pivotal Phase-3 studies, tildrakizumab, a selective IL-23p19 inhibitor, was evaluated against placebo and etanercept to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability. The co-primary efficacy endpoint of the two placebo-controlled studies was a) the proportion of patients with Psoriasis Area Sensitivity Index 75 (PASI 75) response at week 12 compared to placebo and the proportion of participants with a Physician’s Global Assessment (PGA) score of clear or minimal with at least a 2 grade reduction from baseline at week 12 compared to placebo. The reSURFACE 2 also included an etanercept comparator arm, with a key secondary endpoint comparing tildrakizumab and etanercept on PASI 75 and PGA. Other co-secondary endpoints of both placebo controlled studies included PASI 90 and PASI 100 responses at week 12 and PASI 75, 90 and 100 and PGA responses from baseline at Week 28.05 Oct UV Sensitive ‘Band-aid’ Makes Monitoring Sun Exposure Easy
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28574" align="alignleft" width="164"]
Dr. Andrea M Armani[/caption]
Dr. Andrea M Armani PhD
Fluor Early Career Chair and Associate Professor
Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: The “Internet of Things” (IoT) has seen an explosion in online sensor technologies, including UV sensors and monitors; for example, those from Apple and Samsung. However, they require connectivity and power, and they are integrated into delicate electronic systems that are not compatible with outdoor, athletic activities such as swimming, which is precisely when you should monitor UV exposure. Therefore, somewhat ironically, the technologies developed to meet the demands of the IoT are not ideal for cumulative UV exposure detection.
Our goal was to develop a single use patch – like a smart “band-aid” – for the beach to alert users when they had been in the sun for an hour and needed to re-apply sunscreen or get out of the sun altogether. This application required a rugged system that was waterproof, bendable, and compatible with sunscreen. Additionally, the sensor readout needed to be easy to interpret. These requirements influenced our design and material selection.
05 Oct Acne Linked To Longer Telomeres and Better Aging
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_18697" align="alignleft" width="112"]
Dr. Simon Ribero[/caption]
Simone Ribero, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Turin
Department of Medical Sciences
Turin. Italy &
King’s College London
Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology
St Thomas’ campus
London
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: For many years dermatologists have identified that the skin of acne sufferers appears to age more slowly than in those who have not experienced any acne in their lifetime.
We have demonstrated in our paper that there is an association between acne and longer telomere length that means that acne patients , with the same anagraphic age , have a younger chronological age.
04 Oct Cosentyx Offers Longer-Term Treatment Option for Patients With Moderate To Severe Plaque Psoriasis
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28541" align="alignleft" width="135"]
Dr. Craig Leonardi[/caption]
Craig Leonardi, MD
Adjunct Professor of Dermatology
Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Saint Louis, Missouri
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: A2304E1 is a multicenter, double-blind and open-label extension study to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of Cosentyx in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Patients who completed 52 weeks of the core SCULPTURE and STATURE studies and re-consented to treatment were eligible for the extension, and continued the same Cosentyx dose and regimen that they were receiving in their core study. Patients did not have to achieve a PASI 75 response at the end of their core study to enroll.
A total of 642 patients entered the extension study: 168 continued on Cosentyx 300 mg every 4 weeks, 152 continued on Cosentyx 150 mg every 4 weeks, 172 continued on Cosentyx 300 mg retreatment-as-needed, and 150 continued on Cosentyx 150 mg retreatment-as-needed. At the end of Week 156, the study was open-label and patients could continue their assigned dose and regimen or switch to 300 mg every 4 weeks based on the investigator’s judgment.
Results presented at EADV focus on those patients from the SCULPTURE core study who enrolled in the extension study. The primary endpoint of this extension study was overall safety and tolerability. Secondary efficacy measures included the proportion of patients achieving PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100.
28 Sep Vitamin B3 in Pregnancy and Atopic Dermatitis in Childhood
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Dr Sarah El-Heis MBBS, MRCP (London) Clinical Research Fellow MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit University of Southampton Southampton General Hospital Southampton MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Atopic eczema is a common, multifactorial and potentially distressing skin condition. Evidence that it partly originates in utero is increasing with some studies suggesting links with aspects of maternal diet during pregnancy. Nicotinamide is a naturally occurring nutrient that is maintained through the dietary intakes of vitamin B3 and tryptophan. As a topical treatment it has been used in the management of some skin conditions including atopic eczema, and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, to stabilise mast cells and to alter lipids in the outer layers of the skin. The objective of our study was to examine the link between maternal serum concentrations of nicotinamide and related tryptophan metabolites to the risk of atopic eczema in the offspring. We found that maternal late pregnancy concentrations of nicotinamide and related metabolite concentrations were not associated with offspring atopic eczema at age 6 months. Higher maternal serum concentrations of nicotinamide and anthranilic acid were, however, associated with a 30% lower risk of eczema at age 12 months.25 Sep Early Immune Intervention May Prevent Atopic March of Eczema and Allergies
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD Professor of Dermatology and Immunology Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine and Amy S. Paller, MD Walter J. Hamlin Professor Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? Response: Researchers for the first time have identified the skin phenotype of pediatric eczema or atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants, opening the door for personalized treatment approaches for young children with eczema. The study, led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, was published online today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD, Professor of Dermatology and Immunology, and Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine, and Amy S. Paller, MD, Walter J. Hamlin Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at Northwestern, investigated lesional and non-lesional skin biopsies from 19 AD infants under the age of five, and compared them to age-matched pediatric controls, in addition to adult AD biopsies. The researchers found that the non-lesional, or normal-appearing, skin of young children with early eczema is already highly abnormal with significant immune activation, simulating that of lesional skin of adults with many years of active disease.21 Sep Melanoma Self-Examination May Be Less Effective in Elderly Patients
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28161" align="alignleft" width="93"]
Dr. José Antonio Avilés-Izquierdo[/caption]
José Antonio Avilés-Izquierdo, PhD
Department of Dermatology
Hospital Gregorio Marañón
Madrid, Spain
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Response: Melanoma is responsible for most of skin cancer-related deaths and the cancer with the highest cost per death and the highest lost of productive-life years in Europe.
Despite the importance on early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma, there are few studies analyzing the reasons that lead patients with melanoma to consult. The impact on prognosis in patients with melanoma according to who first detects melanoma have not been established.
21 Sep High SPF Sunscreen Use Linked To Lower Risk of Melanoma
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_28154" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Dr. Reza Ghiasvand[/caption]
Reza Ghiasvand, PhD
Postdoctoral fellow,
Department of Biostatistics,
Faculty of Medicine,
University of Oslo.
Oslo, Norway
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: To date, findings from studies have been inconsistent. Some studies found a decreased risk of melanoma among sunscreen users, while others found no association or a higher risk of melanoma among sunscreen users. Several studies found that many sunscreen users do not apply sunscreens properly and do not reapply as recommended and stay longer in the sun after using sunscreen and as a result get sunburn and increase their risk of skin cancer.
Our findings suggest higher UV exposure among sunscreen users compared to nonusers. However, those who used sunscreen with high SPF had 33% lower risk of melanoma compared to users of low SPF sunscreens.
11 Sep Pemphigus Incidence Much Higher Among Jews Than Arabs in Northern Israel
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_27818" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Dr. Khalaf Kridin[/caption]
Khalaf Kridin, MD
Department of Dermatology
Rambam Health Care Campus
Haifa Israel
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Pemphigus shows an uneven geographic and ethnic distribution. A high incidence of pemphigus was observed in some ethnic groups, namely Ashkenazi Jews and those of Mediterranean origin. This observation has been shown to be strongly related to several HLA-class II genes; HLA-DRB1*04 and HLA-A*10 which have been more frequently found among Ashkenazi Jewish pemphigus patients. We sought to estimate trends in the incidence of pemphigus in northern Israel in the years 2000-2015, in relation to the major ethnic groups who inhabit the same geographic area and exposed to the same environmental elements.
The overall estimated incidence of pemphigus in northern Israel was 7.2 per million inhabitants per year (95% CI, 6.2-8.3). The incidence in the Jewish population was 3-fold higher than that in Arabs; 9.6 vs. 3.2 cases per million per year, respectively, p<0.0001), and higher among women than men; 9 vs. 5.3 cases per million per year, respectively, p<0.0001). Patients of Arab ancestry tend to present with the disease at earlier age, in line with observations from Arab and Mediterranean countries.
A declining trend in the incidence of pemphigus throughout the last 16 years in northern Israel was observed.
07 Sep Over the Counter Lice Remedies Unlikely to Be Effective
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_27707" align="alignleft" width="120"]
Head Louse[/caption]
William Ryan B.V.Sc.
Ryan Mitchell Associates LLC
Westfield, NJ and
Bernard Cohen, MD
Professor Dermatology and
Ellen Koch, MD
Division of Pediatric Dermatology
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: As a group we were concerned about the misinformation that continues to be promulgated on the internet and through other sites. Importantly, the group consisted of experts with specific experience in the management of head louse infestations, from pediatric dermatology, pediatrics, school nursing and head louse research fields. Even information sources that we would have expected to be credible are outdated, unreliable or both, often continuing myths about head louse infestations and how they can be controlled. We wanted to provide a balanced and informed perspective that would help physicians and parents recognize that head louse infestations do not present a serious problem, and can be well managed with an informed approach to treatment.
The main findings are that over the counder products (permethrin/pyrethrins) are unlikely to be effective, and that that there are safe and effective products that are available by prescription.
Interestingly, head lice do affect Indian and African children in their home countries, but virtually nonexistent in African Americans in North America. There has been speculation about hair grooming regimen or structure of African American hair but the cause is unknown. In a study we performed assessing resistance to over the counter pediculicide components over a decade ago in Baltimore, we were not able to find a single African American child with head lice. We were not able to recruit any patients from the Baltimore City Schools.
07 Sep Which Come First? Atopic Dermatitis or Staph Aureus Colonisation?
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_27696" align="alignleft" width="125"]
Prof. Alan Irvine[/caption]
Prof. Alan Irvine DSc
Consultant Dermatologist Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital
Associate Professor of Dermatology
Trinity College Dublin
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: The background is that atopic dermatitis (AD) has a close relationship with staphylococcus aureus (SA) colonisation, and this is known to drive flares or exacerbations of AD but before our report it was not known which came first-AD colonisation or atopic dermatitis?
By following a cohort pf patients very carefully over a 1 year period and regularly sampling their skin microbiome we were able to show that SA colonisation did not precede development of AD and in fact that several non SA species of staphylococcus actually appeared to be protective for developing atopic dermatitis.
This is an important new finding in the complex relationship between the microbiome and skin inflammation, suggesting that some commensal bacterial are anti-inflammatory or protective.
03 Sep Chemical Sunscreens May Reduce Male Fertility
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: Anders Rehfeld MD, PhD Student Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings? Response: Human fertility is declining in many areas of the world and the reason is largely unknown. Our study shows that 44% of the tested chemical UV filters can induce calcium signals in human sperm cells, thereby mimicking the effect of progesterone. Progesterone-induced calcium signals, and the sperm functions it triggers, is absolutely essential for the human sperm cell to normally fertilise the human egg.25 Aug Study Finds Hair Transplantation Improves Attractiveness in Men With Male Pattern Baldness
MedicalResearch.com Interview with: [caption id="attachment_27278" align="alignleft" width="80"]
Dr. Lisa Ishii[/caption]
Lisa Earnest Ishii, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryJohns Hopkins School of Medicine
Baltimore Maryland 21287
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Hair transplantation for men suffering from male pattern hair loss is a common procedure to improve their appearance. However, to the best of our knowledge the impact of the procedure for men with hair loss had never been clearly demonstrated.
We showed, for the first time, that men who undergo the procedure can have real improvements in attractiveness, age, and the appearance of successfulness as perceived by the casual observer in society.
24 Aug Patients With Psoriasis Have Coronary Calcium Scores Comparable to Diabetes
Posted at 21:00h
in Author Interviews, Dermatology, Diabetes, Heart Disease, JAMA, Medical Imaging, NIH
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Nehal N. Mehta, .MD., M.S.C.E. F.A.H.A.
Lasker Clinical Research Scholar
Section of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Diseases
NIH
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Psoriasis is associated with accelerated cardiovascular (CV) disease; however, screening for CV risk factors in psoriasis remains low. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score estimates the total burden of atherosclerosis. Psoriasis has been associated with increase CAC score, but how this compares to patients with diabetes, who are aggressively screened for CV risk factors, is unknown.