Category Archives: Dermatology

Dermatology

GW School of Medicine and Pfizer Award Grants to Bring … – Dermatology Times

In an effort to bridge the health care gap in underserved communities across the United States, the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) has teamed up with Pfizer Global Medical Grants to award grants to four institutions. These grants will be used to implement GW's Teledermatology Help Desk Clinic model with the aim of providing quality dermatologic care for inflammatory skin conditions to those who have limited access.1

The selected communities for this initiative include Miami-Dade County, Florida; Los Angeles County, California; rural areas in Oregon; and downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Earlier this year, GW and Pfizer announced their grant partnership and began seeking grant applications.

"If we have these free clinics being maintained through various funding pathways, it enables us to at a minimum, bring someone in to the fold," said Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, chair of Dermatology and residency program director at the George Washington (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), in a previous interview with Dermatology Times. Friedman was the recipient of a quality improvement project grant, wherein he took part in developing and supporting a teledermatology initiative in underserved communities within the Washington, DC, area.

"Maybe all they need is that open door. Maybe this person has every means to see a dermatologist; they don't know the first step, they just don't know how to do that, or they don't even know what telemedicine is. So forget it. It's not something they want to do. We can really open their eyes to what telemedicine is, what dermatology is, change their perception of dermatology, because maybe their perception of derm is not what it needs to be to seek out the necessary care, and now these are lifelong patients," Friedman said. "There are innumerable outcomes that can really evolve from even just doing a 1-year program, which I hope will then will be sustained over time through other support."

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The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the severe disparities in health care access, especially in rural and low-income regions. In response to this issue, GW School of Medicine established a Teledermatology Free Clinic for residents in Wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C. Collaborating with the Rodham Institute and the Temple of Praise Church, the clinic allowed patients to become part of the GW medical records system and provided them with guidance on telemedicine best practices, comprehensive education on atopic dermatitis (AD), and free telemedicine visits with dermatology experts.

A post-engagement survey revealed that the majority of participants (70%) did not have access to a dermatologist prior to the program, but after participating, nearly all (94%) expressed extreme satisfaction and reported that the clinic significantly improved their AD management (90%). Recognizing the transformative potential of this approach, GW and Pfizer decided to expand its reach.

"Access to telemedicine is the starting line because it eliminates traditional barriers to care such as transportation needs, distance from specialty providers, and approved time off from work or even child or elder care responsibilities," Friedman said. "We offer our sincere congratulations and appreciation to the four teams that will expand our model to other underserved communities in the United States."

Funded by Pfizer Global Medical Grants, the recipients of the "Quality Improvement Initiative: Bridging the Inflammatory Dermatosis Care Divide with Teledermatology Grant Program" are as follows:

All 4 awarded projects will conduct post-assessment surveys to measure patient satisfaction, uptake, and patient-reported outcomes. They will also monitor recruitment and enrollment rates, number of surveys completed, number of tele-visits scheduled and completed, and number of in-person visits scheduled and completed, with the goal of expanding this initiative even further in the future.

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Dermatology

Qualitative Research Increasing Throughout Dermatology – MD Magazine

Lucinda L. Kohn, MD, MHS

Credit: Children's Hospital Colorado

Qualitative research that which better helps contextualize health outcomes based on societal and demographic factors have become more prevalent in dermatology, according to a new scoping review from a team of dermatology investigators.1

The new assessment, led by Micah G. Pascual, BS, and Lucina L. Kohn, MD, MHS, of the department of dermatology at the University of Colorado Aurora School of Medicine, showed that nearly 1 in 5 dermatology research articles identified in their analysis included qualitative outcomesand that a majority of said qualitative studies investigated the patient experience regarding the key topic.

The findings highlight an increasing interest to include patient perspective in dermatologya specialty particularly burdened with assuring improved quality-of-life and comprehensive wellness for its patient populations.

Pascual, Kohn and colleagues conducted their review to accomplish both an assessment of the current approaches of qualitative investigation in dermatology, as well as to interpret qualitative trends and their impact and applicability on dermatology. At its most optimal use, qualitative research may help dermatologists and researchers in the field come into better understanding of individuals impacted by skin diseases based on their cultures and backgrounds.

Qualitative research can elicit narratives from participants to capture the unique experiences of health care stakeholders (ie, patients, health care clinicians, and caregivers) that would otherwise remain hidden with quantitative investigation alone, they noted.

Among the 6 common methodologies of qualitative research are content analysis, grounded theory; phenomenology, ethnography; discourse analysis; and case study. Each methodology provides a unique utility for researchers and goals for execution, as well as data collection methodsincluding interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and document analyses.

However, to our knowledge, the extent to which researchers have conducted qualitative studies in dermatology is unknown, investigators wrote.

The team conducted a scoping review of 2 medical research databases to identify dermatology qualitative studies. They excluded articles that which were published in a language other than English; involved mixed, quantitative, systematic review or meta-analysis methods; or were not specific to general, medical, pediatric, invasive, pathologic dermatology or education and training in the field.

Among the 1398 articles reviewed by the investigators, 249 (17.8%) were defined as qualitative dermatology studies. The most commonly observed methodologies were content analysis (n = 58 [23.3%]) and grounded theory (n = 35 [14.1%]). Case studies comprised only 5 (2.0%) of all qualitative studies.

The most prevalent data collection methods included individual interviews (n = 198 [79.5%]) and focus groups (n = 45 [18.1%]). Patients were the primary participants of qualitative studies (n = 174 [69.9%]), followed by health care team members (n = 68 [27.3%]). Sample sizes were primarily 21 participants (n = 127 [51.0%]).

The most prominent topics of the qualitative studies were patient experience (n = 137 [55.0%]), clinician experience (n = 30 [12.0%]), and skin care comprehension (n = 18 [8.8%]).

Investigators observed that 120 articles (48.2%) were published between 2020 2022, versus 98 (39.4%) published from 2010 2019 and just 29 (11.7%) from 2000 2009.

The team concluded that qualitative research is on the rise in dermatology, featuring topical focuses on quality-of-life instrument development and utility; clinician experience with disease treatment; consumer opinion on skin care productions and pharmacotherapeutic options; and perspective on policies regarding skin health care.

As use of qualitative methods grows in dermatology research, it is increasingly important that dermatologists and researchers become familiar with these techniques, they wrote. Many universities offer in-person or online workshops detailing an introduction to qualitative research that typically span a few days to a week.

Investigators expressed hope their research highlights the impact and benefit of qualitative research, as well as the increasing opportunities for said research for dermatologists.

References

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Qualitative Research Increasing Throughout Dermatology - MD Magazine

Dermatology

U.S. Dermatology Partners Announces The Opening Of Sulphur … – EastTexasRadio.com

U.S. Dermatology PartnersJoanna Alters-PA C

U.S. Dermatology Partners expands access to dermatology care to patients in Hopkins County with the opening of their newest office location

WHAT:U.S. Dermatology Partners, one of the leading dermatology groups in the country, is pleased to announce the opening of its newest office location in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The new office marks the organizations 100th location and is part of their Outreach Program serving rural communities and offers convenient access to dermatology and skin cancer treatments. The new office provides treatment in Hopkins County for patients of all ages for dermatologic conditions, including acne, psoriasis, eczema, and skin cancer.Celebrating this achievement, The newU.S. Dermatology Partners Sulphur Springswill provide FREE Skin Cancer Screenings by appointment onlyat their new location to help residents who may have never had a skin check before know if they are at risk for skin cancer. Additionally, they will provide free sunscreen to help people continue their preventative care outside of the dermatologists office.

Certified Physician Assistant,Joanne Alters, will be the primary practitioner at the Sulphur Springs office with oversight from Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Martha McCollough. Joanne is a Diplomate of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Her clinical interest includes skin cancer screening and treatment and other dermatological conditions such as acne, rashes, rosacea, and eczema.

Joanne and her husband are thrilled to be in East Texas to raise their son near the family ranch. They enjoy being outdoors, spending time with family, and attending church.

For questions or to make an appointment for the FREE Skin Cancer Screening, please call the office at (903) 582-4424 ext. 6350.

WHEN:Wednesday, April 26th, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm. by appointment only

WHERE:U.S. Dermatology Partners Sulphur Springs

601 Airport Rd #140

Sulphur Springs, TX 75482

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Dermatology

Apex Dermatology opens new office in Avon – Crain’s Cleveland Business

Apex Dermatology continues its steady expansion across the region with a new location in Avon this month, the practice's 13th location.

Now in its 12th year, the physician-owned and locally managed practice held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, April 25, for the newest office, located at 6855 American Way.

The plan is to gradually roll out all of Apex's offerings in Avon as volumes grow, said Dr. Jorge Garcia-Zuazaga, Apex founder and president.

"It's designed so that we can do aesthetic, medical and surgical dermatology just like our other offices," he said. "So you know, as we grow in that office, and the community, then we'll start adding all those services."

He hopes to have Mohs Surgery a specialized procedure Apex offers to remove certain types of skin cancers and the full range of Apex's aesthetics dermatology offerings online at the Avon office within the next year.

"We realized that, you know, the Avon population is growing (and) that community is in need of a lot of these procedures," Garcia-Zuazaga said. "And we feel that if we educate patients, and we provide the services, then the patients will come in and take a look at Apex."

Dr. Cynthia Lavery Henry, a board-certified dermatologist who has been practicing in Apex's Westlake office, will serve patients in the new Avon location, along with board-certified nurse practitioner Debi Sorg.

The Avon location, which has been seeing patients since early April, has a staff of about 10, including Henry, Sorg, their team of medical assistants and office staff.

"We anticipate that we're going to hire probably another four or five people in the next year to that office," Garcia-Zuazaga said.

Apex also is on track to open its corporate headquarters in Mayfield Heights in July, and is on budget for the $8 million project at the corner of Landerbrook Drive and Cedar Road. The 18,000-square-foot, single-story facility will include a clinical office, lab, research center, dedicated aesthetic clinic and the practice's corporate headquarters. Apex's current Mayfield Heights practice will move into the new building, adding to the overall square footage but not office count for the practice that has been pacing at roughly one new location a year.

"One of the things we do at Apex is we concentrate on quality rather than quantity, right?" Garcia-Zuazaga said. "We want to make sure that we do the right thing."

Henry, who grew up in Medina, is passionate about treating general and cosmetic dermatology for all ages, as well as patient education particularly around sun protection and early skin cancer detection, according to the release.

Sorg, who was raised in Avon, discovered her love for dermatology while working in the field as a medical assistant before becoming a registered nurse. She worked in clinical research as an RN while completing her master of science degree in nursing at Walsh University, according to the release. Her interests span general and cosmetic dermatology for patients of all ages.

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Apex Dermatology opens new office in Avon - Crain's Cleveland Business

Dermatology

Four Abstracts on Eblasakimab and Farudodstat to be Presented at … – Dermatology Times

Gennady Danilkin/AdobeStock

The 1st International Societies for Investigative Dermatology (ISID) Meeting takes place next week, May 10-13, 2023, in Tokyo, Japan. ASLAN Pharmaceuticals will present 2 late-breaker presentations and 2 published abstracts on eblasakimab for atopic dermatitis and farudodstat for alopecia areata.

Late-breaker presentation:

Late-breaker poster presentation:

Published abstracts:

1. Eblasakimab monotherapy improves moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis symptoms across anatomical regions in a phase 1 study (abstract ID: 657)

ASLANs first published abstract at ISID explores eblasakimab as monotherapy for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis across varying regions of the body. According to the background of the study, the clinical presentation of atopic dermatitis varies by anatomical location due to differences in skin area sensitivity and can therefore limit a patients long-term treatment options. New research shows that interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 signal through a type 2 receptor complex composed of IL-4R1 and IL-13R1 to mediate the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

Eblasakimab obstructs the signaling cascade by binding to the IL-13R1 subunit. The phase 1b subgroup analysis analyzed the effects of eblasakimab on Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) across varying anatomical regions compared to placebo. Investigators found that patients treated with 400mg or 600mg of subcutaneous eblasakimab once a week showed notable improvement in percent change from baseline in EASI scores across 4 anatomic regions of the head/neck, trunk, upper extremities, and lower extremities, compared to placebo.

2. Neuromodulation beyond itch is blocked by targeting IL-13R1 with eblasakimab (abstract ID: 1594)

The second published ASLAN abstract at ISID evaluated whether IL-4 and IL-13 exert redundant or distinct functions in human sensory neurons, and whethereblasakimabcanattenuate cytokine-enhanced neuronal responses to itch andreduce spontaneous neuronal activity. According to the abstract, Human dorsal root ganglia neurons were treated with IL-4, IL-13, or their combination with or withouteblasakimaband subsequently either challenged with pruritogens (BAM8-22 and PAMP-20) or tested for spontaneous neuronal activity. Neuronal responses to pruritogens and spontaneous neuronal activity were measured via live-cell calcium imaging.

IL-4, IL-13, and their combination treatments enhanced neuronal responses to the non-histaminergic pruritogen (BAM-822) when applied to human dorsal root ganglion, and IL-13 treatment increased neuronal responses to the histaminergic pruritogen (PAMP-20) through amplifications of the activity of MRGPRX2. Investigators noted that this suggests a novel neuroimmune pathway besides its mast cell specific function

Updates

Eblasakimab, a potential first-in-class antibody targeting the IL-13 receptor in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis is being studied in a global phase 2b trial of patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis with topline data expected in early July 2023. Farudodstat, a potent oral inhibitor of the enzyme DHODH and potential first-in-class treatment for alopecia areata is also under development. ASLAN plans to initiate a proof-of-concept trial in 2Q 2023.

Reference

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Dermatology

Dermatology Publications in Saudi Arabia: A Fast-Growing Pattern – Cureus

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Please chooseI'm not a medical professional.Allergy and ImmunologyAnatomyAnesthesiologyCardiac/Thoracic/Vascular SurgeryCardiologyCritical CareDentistryDermatologyDiabetes and EndocrinologyEmergency MedicineEpidemiology and Public HealthFamily MedicineForensic MedicineGastroenterologyGeneral PracticeGeneticsGeriatricsHealth PolicyHematologyHIV/AIDSHospital-based MedicineI'm not a medical professional.Infectious DiseaseIntegrative/Complementary MedicineInternal MedicineInternal Medicine-PediatricsMedical Education and SimulationMedical PhysicsMedical StudentNephrologyNeurological SurgeryNeurologyNuclear MedicineNutritionObstetrics and GynecologyOccupational HealthOncologyOphthalmologyOptometryOral MedicineOrthopaedicsOsteopathic MedicineOtolaryngologyPain ManagementPalliative CarePathologyPediatricsPediatric SurgeryPhysical Medicine and RehabilitationPlastic SurgeryPodiatryPreventive MedicinePsychiatryPsychologyPulmonologyRadiation OncologyRadiologyRheumatologySubstance Use and AddictionSurgeryTherapeuticsTraumaUrologyMiscellaneous

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Dermatology Publications in Saudi Arabia: A Fast-Growing Pattern - Cureus

Dermatology

Assessing the Ability of Non-dermatology Physicians to Recognize … – Cureus

Specialty

Please chooseI'm not a medical professional.Allergy and ImmunologyAnatomyAnesthesiologyCardiac/Thoracic/Vascular SurgeryCardiologyCritical CareDentistryDermatologyDiabetes and EndocrinologyEmergency MedicineEpidemiology and Public HealthFamily MedicineForensic MedicineGastroenterologyGeneral PracticeGeneticsGeriatricsHealth PolicyHematologyHIV/AIDSHospital-based MedicineI'm not a medical professional.Infectious DiseaseIntegrative/Complementary MedicineInternal MedicineInternal Medicine-PediatricsMedical Education and SimulationMedical PhysicsMedical StudentNephrologyNeurological SurgeryNeurologyNuclear MedicineNutritionObstetrics and GynecologyOccupational HealthOncologyOphthalmologyOptometryOral MedicineOrthopaedicsOsteopathic MedicineOtolaryngologyPain ManagementPalliative CarePathologyPediatricsPediatric SurgeryPhysical Medicine and RehabilitationPlastic SurgeryPodiatryPreventive MedicinePsychiatryPsychologyPulmonologyRadiation OncologyRadiologyRheumatologySubstance Use and AddictionSurgeryTherapeuticsTraumaUrologyMiscellaneous

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Dermatology

sunscreens dermatologists recommend and use themselves – Yahoo News

Youve heard it before: You should wear sunscreen often, and ideally every day. Dermatologists dont just talk about the importance of wearing sunscreen they practice what they preach. I wear it every day, 365 days a year, Dr. Gary Goldenberg, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, tells Yahoo Life. (His top pick for daily wear is EltaMD's Sunscreen Sport Lotion). "Even in winter, you still get some UV that can cause skin damage."

And they make it easy to remember: I actually incorporate sunscreen into my daily grooming routine and apply it right after shaving, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a New York Citybased dermatologist, tells Yahoo Life. These are the best sunscreens that dermatologists recommend and actually use themselves. We've got something in the mix for every skin type, whether you have sensitive skin, dry skin, oily skin, skin-type blends or something in between.

Originally published April 26, 2023 at 1:25 AM

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sunscreens dermatologists recommend and use themselves - Yahoo News

Dermatology

FDA Gives the Green Light for Cheek Wrinkle Solution – Dermatology Times

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given clearance for injectable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA; Sculptra) to correct the effects of aging in cheeks.1 During clinical trials (NCT04124692), patients (n=110) showed significant improvement in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles in 3 months (96%), 1 year (94%), and 2 years (94%). Each study participant was given 8ml of the PLLA-SCA. "The primary endpoint was reached, which was 1-grade improvement in cheek wrinkles at rest and its secondary endpoint of addressing cheek wrinkles when smiling for up to 2 years, researchers explained.2

Galderma said Sculptra is the first FDA-approved PLLA collagen stimulator that smooths wrinkles and improves firmness and glow in the cheek for up to 2 years. The injectable was first approved for aesthetic use in 2009 inthe USfor the correction of nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles. In 2004, the injectable was approved for the restoration and correction of fat loss in HIV patients. PLLA-SCA is currently available in more than 40 countries.

Sculptra is a foundational treatment that helps smooth wrinkles and offers the added benefit of improved skin qualityhelping to firm sagging skin for a more radiant and glowing appearance. My patients will be extremely pleased that they can now receive Sculptra in the broader cheek region to support collagen growht and to make their skin look more refreshed and rejuvenated, shared Sabrina Fabi, MD in a press release. Fabi is a double board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon in California and served as an investigator in the PLLA-SCA clinical trials for cheek wrinkles.

According to Sculptras website, common adverse effects to the injectable include injection site swelling, tenderness, redness, pain, bruising, bleeding, itching and lumps. Other effects reportedinclude lumps under the skin, some with delayed onset with or without inflammation or skin discoloration. Galderma warned that PLLA-SCA should not be administered to patients with a history of keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring. Safety has not been established in patients who are pregnant, lactating, breastfeeding, or under 18 years of age.3

References

1. Galderma. Galderma receives FDA approval for SCULPTRA for cheek wrinkles. PR Newswire: press release distribution, targeting, monitoring and marketing. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/galderma-receives-fda-approval-for-sculptra-for-cheek-wrinkles-301807665.html. Published April 26, 2023. Accessed April 26, 2023.

2. Bohnert K, Dorizas A, Lorenc P, Sadick NS. Randomized, controlled, multicentered, double-blind investigation of injectable poly-L-lactic acid for improving skin quality.Dermatol Surg. 2019;45(5):718-724. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001772

3. Youthful skin starts within. Sculptra Aesthetic. Accessed April 26, 2023. https://www.sculptrausa.com/.

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FDA Gives the Green Light for Cheek Wrinkle Solution - Dermatology Times

Dermatology

Mild-to-Moderate Stress Associated With Skin Aging Manifestations – Dermatology Times

Individuals experiencing mild-to-severe levels of psychological stress may also experience a direct link to certain skin aging manifestations.

Syda Productions/AdobeStock

In one study,1 researchers sought to determine a possible association between an individuals perception of their stress level and any subsequent signs of skin aging.

Researchers conducted cross-sectional market research in China and Japan via noninterventional, nonclinical, low-risk online consumer research surveys. All survey responses were kept anonymous and were unable to be linked with individual respondents.

Prospective participants identified as women and were between the ages of 18 to 34. Researchers invited women of this demographic to participate if they were members of an IQVIA online market research panel. Other eligibility criteria included residence in a major city, a self-reported medical history free of illnesses and skin disorders, and a lack of affiliation or previous participation in skin product research.

The survey, which consisted of 24 questions, included opportunities for both open-ended and structured responses. It was split into 3 parts, each covering topics such as skin health, mental health and stress, and participant demographics.

Researchers evaluated the mental health and stress responses using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

Additionally, researchers also invited members of a healthcare professional online market research panel, specifically dermatologists and psychologists, to participate in a secondary survey. Physician eligibility criteria included residence in a major city, cumulative healthcare experience of 3 years or greater, a cumulative caseload of 30 or more patients per month, and a total of at least 75% of time spent engaging in direct patient care.

This survey consisted of up to 21 questions related to patient concerns about stress and skin-related factors, such as skin triggers, cycle, issues, aging, and more.

As the surveys were reliant on participant data and cooperation, researchers conducted data quality control in order to eliminate the possibility of duplicate responses.

In total, researchers were able to collect data from 403 young women and 120 health care professionals, which included 60 dermatologists.

The majority of female respondents indicated that their stress level was in the normal range (58% of women ages 18 to 25 and 47% of women ages 25-34). However, at least 10% of women in both age groups reported mild, moderate, and severe levels of stress, with less than 10% in both age groups reporting extremely severe stress.

In regard to skin manifestations, the most frequently-reported were dark eye circles, enlarged/stretched pores, dry skin, dull skin, slower recovery from acne marks, and rough skin. The rates of these manifestations were significantly higher in women with mild to extremely severe stress than in women who reported normal stress levels.

Researchers also asked the question, Thinking of how stress may impact somebodys life, how strong do you think the connection between stress, psychological and emotional pressure and premature skin aging is? 92.3% of female respondents reported a perceived moderate to very strong association.

Dermatologists and other physician respondents associated certain aging and other skin manifestations with elevated stress levels, including acne, changing skin type, clogged pores, dark eye circles, dry skin, dull skin,flat lines around the eyes, poor elasticity,rough skin, sagging skin/lack of firmness, skin rash, thin skin, and wrinkles. Health care professionals who responded to the survey more strongly associated skin manifestations with stress.

Potential study limitations noted by the authors included the geographic restrictions of the data and of potential respondents.

The stronger perceptions of healthcare professionals than young women may be unsurprising considering their education and knowledge about the biology of stress and skin aging. Indeed, healthcare professionals identified skin signs that are associated with sensitive skin (e.g., acne, dryness, rash) and aging (e.g., wrinkles, sagging, poor elasticity), and they may be aware of the impact of stress on sensitive skin through their expertise and knowledge of research in this setting, study authors wrote. However, further research on how stress contributes to aging or preaging of skin is needed, particularly in the context of inflammation.

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Mild-to-Moderate Stress Associated With Skin Aging Manifestations - Dermatology Times