Implementation and evaluation of a store-and-forward teledermatology workflow in a United States safety-net hospital urgent care emergency center: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Teledermatology (TD) is an important method for increasing access to care in outpatient settings. However, less is known regarding its use in emergency/urgent care centers. Objective: To evaluate the effect of TD on urgent care emergency center (UCEC) dwell time and postencounter utilization. Study type and methods: This retrospective cohort study evaluated patients in a safety-net hospital (Parkland Health, Dallas, Texas, USA) UCEC, who (1) received a TD consult in 2018, (2) were referred to dermatology clinic in 2017, or (3) were referred to dermatology clinic in 2018 without a TD consult. Results: We evaluated 2024 patients from 2017 to 2018. Of the 973 referred to dermatology clinic in 2018, 332 (34%) received TD consultations. Mean dwell time for patients receiving TD was longer versus the 2017 cohort (303 vs 204 minutes, respectively). Patients receiving TD consultation with inflammatory skin conditions had lower odds of dermatology clinic visits compared with those that did not (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3-0.8). Teledermatology was not associated with differences in repeat UCEC utilization. Limitations: Single institution study and inability to account for differences in patient complexity. Conclusion: TD increases dwell time in a safety-net hospital's UCEC but can reduce dermatology clinic utilization for patients with inflammatory skin conditions.

Development of a Skin-Directed Scoring System for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Epidermal Necrolysis: A Delphi Consensus Exercise.

Importance: Scoring systems for Stevens-Johnson syndrome and epidermal necrolysis (EN) only estimate patient prognosis and are weighted toward comorbidities and systemic features; morphologic terminology for EN lesions is inconsistent. Objectives: To establish consensus among expert dermatologists on EN terminology, morphologic progression, and most-affected sites, and to build a framework for developing a skin-directed scoring system for EN. Evidence Review: A Delphi consensus using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness criteria was initiated with a core group from the Society of Dermatology Hospitalists to establish agreement on the optimal design for an EN cutaneous scoring instrument, terminology, morphologic traits, and sites of involvement. Findings: In round 1, the 54 participating dermatology hospitalists reached consensus on all 49 statements (30 appropriate, 3 inappropriate, 16 uncertain). In round 2, they agreed on another 15 statements (8 appropriate, 7 uncertain). There was consistent agreement on the need for a skin-specific instrument; on the most-often affected skin sites (head and neck, chest, upper back, ocular mucosa, oral mucosa); and that blanching erythema, dusky erythema, targetoid erythema, vesicles/bullae, desquamation, and erosions comprise the morphologic traits of EN and can be consistently differentiated. Conclusions and Relevance: This consensus exercise confirmed the need for an EN skin-directed scoring system, nomenclature, and differentiation of specific morphologic traits, and identified the sites most affected. It also established a baseline consensus for a standardized EN instrument with consistent terminology.

Severe Mpox Infections in People With Uncontrolled Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

In the current mpox outbreak, infections are usually self-limited. We describe 3 patients with uncontrolled HIV and mpox infections lasting months, causing debilitating lesions, complications, and death, despite initiating anti-mpox and antiretroviral therapy. Delayed treatment of mpox with antiviral agents may contribute to poor outcomes in severely immunocompromised patients.

Cutaneous Angiosarcoma.

This case report describes a large, purpuric plaque involving most of the right face with associated periorbital swelling but without ulceration.

Efficacy of a lay community health worker (promotoras de salud) program to improve adherence to emollients in Spanish-speaking Latin American pediatric patients in the United States with atopic dermatitis: A randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Latin American patients in the United States experience significant health disparities. Community health workers (promotoras de salud) reduce disparities by providing culturally appropriate education. While educational interventions have been studied in atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic dermatologic condition affecting children, none have evaluated the use of promotoras in Spanish-speaking pediatric patients in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To create and evaluate a promotora-led education program for Spanish-speaking caregivers of Latin American, pediatric patients with AD through a randomized, controlled, evaluator-blinded study. METHODS: Children with moderate/severe AD (n = 48) were recruited from the pediatric dermatology clinic at Children's Health℠ in Dallas, TX and randomized to receive clinic education (n = 26) or clinic education plus promotora home visits (n = 22). The primary outcome was overall adherence to topical emollients over the 12-week study, quantified by MEMSCap™ devices; several secondary endpoints were evaluated. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed a trend toward increased overall adherence to emollients over the 12-week study period in promotora (median [interquartile range, IQR]: 43% [26%-61%]) versus non-promotora (median [IQR]: 20% [11%-49%]) (p = .09) groups. SCORAD, AD knowledge, and Spanish-language Parental Quality of Life Questionnaire for AD (Sp-PIQoL-AD) improved in both groups, although there was no statistically significant difference between groups. There was a trend toward increased AD knowledge at Week 4 (p = .06) in the promotora group. CONCLUSIONS: A promotora-led educational intervention is a promising approach in increasing caregiver medication adherence in pediatric, Latin American patients with AD in the United States. Further research using creative and culturally appropriate strategies to increase medication adherence is necessary to reduce health disparities in other racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States.

Sudden Conjunctivitis, Lymphopenia, and Rash Combined With Hemodynamic Changes (SCoRCH) After Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Use: A Case Series Study of a Hypersensitivity Reaction.

Importance: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) hypersensitivity reaction, ranging from circulatory shock to aseptic meningitis and respiratory failure, is a potentially life-threatening condition with dermatologic relevance. Objective: To describe the mucocutaneous findings and clinical features of TMP-SMX hypersensitivity reaction. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective case series study of 7 patients who developed a characteristic rash, hemodynamic changes, and end-organ dysfunction after treatment with TMP-SMX at a large university hospital system during January 2013 to March 2022. Exposures: Treatment with TMP-SMX within 2 weeks of the reaction. Main Outcome and Measures: Descriptions of the condition, including the demographic information of the affected population, the reaction timeline, and mucocutaneous and clinical features. Results: The cohort comprised 7 patients (median [range] age, 20 [15-66] years; 4 female and 3 male). The most common mucocutaneous findings were generalized sunburn-like erythema without scale, conjunctivitis, and mild facial and acral edema. Three patients had previous exposure to TMP-SMX and developed symptoms in 1 day or less, while those without prior exposure presented from 4 to 11 days after drug initiation. Among the 7 patients, 6 had fever, 7 had hypotension, and 7 had tachycardia. All patients had lymphopenia and evidence of end-organ dysfunction with either kidney or liver involvement. Median (range) time to resolution was 72 (48-96) hours. Conclusions and Relevance: This retrospective case series indicates that SCoRCH (sudden conjunctivitis, lymphopenia, and rash combined with hemodynamic changes) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute generalized sunburn-like erythema, conjunctivitis, systemic symptoms, and hemodynamic changes in the setting of recent TMP-SMX use.

Evaluating awareness of skin cancer in skin of color organ transplant recipients.

Organ transplant recipients are at high risk for skin cancer. Currently, more than half of the transplant waiting list is composed of skin of color patients. Skin cancer in skin of color is associated with higher morbidity and mortality and has a different clinical presentation and risk factors. Yet, skin cancer prevention resources and efforts are primarily focused on non-skin of color patients. A cross-sectional pilot survey was administered to assess and compare skin cancer attitudes, behaviors, and knowledge especially risk factors and features specific to skin of color between skin of color and non-skin of color organ transplant recipients. Patients from a patient list obtained from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center organ transplant center were randomized on Excel and contacted by phone with the choice to participate by phone or online. 219 of 403 patients completed the survey. Skin of color organ transplant recipients was significantly more likely to never practice recommended skin cancer preventative behaviors (p = 0.002, 0.006, 0.02), to hold a lower perceived self-risk (p = 0.02), to worry less about getting skin cancer (p = 0.003), and to have false perceptions about risk factors (p = 0.001, 0.005) in either univariable or multivariable analysis. However, they were more likely (38%, p = 0.02) to recognize human papillomavirus as a risk factor. The knowledge gaps identified can guide the development of skin cancer educational resources that are more comprehensive and relevant to skin of color recipients. This can lead to better outcomes and reduce racial health disparities.

Utility of Direct Immunofluorescence Using Buccal Mucosal Biopsies in Those with Suspected Isolated Ocular Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid.

PURPOSE: To determine the rate of positivity of immunofluorescence studies in buccal biopsies in patients with cicatrizing conjunctivitis undergoing workup for ocular mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP)/ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort review. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one patients with cicatrizing conjunctivitis undergoing workup for OCP. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) studies in buccal mucosal biopsies was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the rate of positivity of direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies on buccal mucosal biopsies. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (54%) had a positive buccal mucosal biopsy; 64% of patients (14/22) demonstrated +DIF on initial biopsy and an additional 36% of patients (8/22) on the second biopsy. Eighteen patients underwent conjunctival biopsy. In the 6 patients with a negative conjunctival biopsy, 4 (67%) had a positive buccal biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Buccal mucosal immunofluorescence studies may be positive in patients with OCP even in the absence of extraocular disease. Buccal mucosal biopsy may be considered as an alternative to or attempted before conjunctival biopsy for the diagnosis of OCP, particularly in patients in whom conjunctival biopsy may be difficult or imminently visually threatening.

Evaluating the impact of a community health worker (Promotora de Salud) program on attitudes and beliefs regarding atopic dermatitis among Spanish-speaking Latin-American caregivers.

INTRODUCTION: Community health workers (CHWs), or promotora de salud, have an important role in healthcare education and advocacy in the Latin American community. We aimed to determine the impact of a promotora de salud program on attitudes and beliefs regarding AD management among Latin American caregivers of pediatric patients with atopic dermatitis. METHODS: This is a sub-study of an ongoing randomized, investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Mann-Whitney U tests compared questionnaire responses in the standard education group to the promotora group. RESULTS: Caregivers in the promotora group were more likely to state that they knew how to apply wet wraps and use bleach (sodium hypochlorite) baths at 1 month (wet wraps p = .027, bleach baths p = .005) and 3 months (wet wraps p = .005, bleach baths p < .001) demonstrating greater self-efficacy, defined as an individual's belief in their capacity to execute a certain behavior to achieve a desired outcome, compared with the standard education group. CONCLUSIONS: Culturally competent and language concordant educational interventions may improve confidence in utilizing wet wraps and bleach baths among Latin-American caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis, which may improve AD outcomes in the Latin-American community.

Evaluation of a Case Series of Patients With Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in the United States.

IMPORTANCE: Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a chronic, orphan disease with limited epidemiological data. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, treatments, longitudinal disease course, and disease-specific health care utilization among patients with GPP across the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective longitudinal case series involving 95 adults who met the European Rare and Severe Psoriasis Expert Network consensus definition for GPP and were treated at 20 US academic dermatology practices between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2018. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome is to describe the patient characteristics, associated medical comorbidities, treatment patterns complications, and GPP-specific health care utilization. RESULTS: Sixty-seven of 95 patients (70.5%) were women (mean age, 50.3 years [SD, 16.1 years]). In the initial encounter, 35 patients (36.8%) were hospitalized and 64 (67.4%) were treated with systemic therapies. In total, more than 20 different systemic therapies were tried. During the follow-up period, 19 patients (35.8%) reported hospitalizations at a median rate of 0.5 hospitalizations per year (IQR, 0.4-1.6). Women had a decreased risk of an emergency department or hospital encounter (odds ratio, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.04-0.83). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Generalized pustular psoriasis is a rare, chronic disease without standard treatment and is associated with continued health care utilization over time.

Evaluation of a Case Series of Patients With Palmoplantar Pustulosis in the United States.

IMPORTANCE: Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a is a chronic, orphan disease with limited epidemiological data. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics, treatments, longitudinal disease course, and health care utilization in adults with PPP across the US. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective, longitudinal case series from 20 academic dermatology practices in the US included a consecutive sample of 197 adults who met the European Rare and Severe Psoriasis Expert Network consensus definition for PPP between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2018. Data analysis was performed June 2020 to December 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was to describe the patient characteristics, associated medical comorbidities, treatment patterns, complications, and PPP-specific health care utilization. RESULTS: Of 197 patients, 145 (73.6%) were female, and the mean (SD) age at presentation was 53.0 (12.6) years, with a mean (SD) follow-up time of 22.1 (28.0) months. On initial presentation, 95 (48.2%) patients reported skin pain, and 39 (19.8%) reported difficulty using hands and/or feet. Seventy patients (35.5%) were treated with systemic treatments, and use of more than 20 different systemic therapies was reported. In patients with at least 6 months of follow-up (n = 128), a median (IQR) of 3.7 (4-10) dermatology visits per year were reported; 24 (18.8%) patients had 5 or more visits during the study period. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this case series, PPP was associated with persistent symptoms, continued health care utilization, and a lack of consensus regarding effective treatments, emphasizing the unmet medical need in this population. Additional research is necessary to understand treatment response in these patients.