A systematic search and narrative review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men pelvic health care: demonstrated need for improvement.

Warning:This article contains terms, descriptions and opinions that may be culturally sensitive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. BACKGROUND: Pelvic health conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men are under-recognised and under-reported despite indication of the significant burden of these conditions. Access to effective management provided in a culturally safe manner appears lacking. The study aims were to: (1) summarise the burden of pelvic health conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; (2) explore barriers and enablers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing pelvic healthcare services; and (3) provide considerations on how to implement culturally safe pelvic healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. METHODS: This study involved a systematic literature search informing a narrative review. RESULTS: Fourteen specific articles were identified. Burden related to pelvic health conditions was identified for both women and men, noting high likelihood of under-reporting. Barriers to effective culturally safe treatment included racism, shame and stigma associated with women's and men's business, lack of culturally safe services and geographical distance. Enablers included building trust with local communities, using yarning principles and codesign of pelvic health services with Aboriginal health workers and services. Strategies to improve pelvic health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were described at the systems, health service and clinician levels. CONCLUSION: Efforts are needed to improve the diagnosis and management of pelvic health conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Actions are required to engage with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, professionals overseeing service provision and healthcare providers to address the burden of these conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Multicenter Canadian case series of pediatric patients less than 12 years of age with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis treated with dupilumab.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab is approved for moderate-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients aged ≥6 months by the US Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada; however, there are little real-world data because providers have limited practical experience with this recently approved therapy. OBJECTIVES: To describe the real-world effectiveness and safety in patients aged <12 years with moderate-severe AD currently receiving or previously having received dupilumab. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted at six Canadian sites. Cases were divided into Group 1 ≤2 years old, Group 2 >2 to <6 years old, and Group 3 ≥6 to <12 years old. Medical history and details of dupilumab treatment were collected. The primary outcome was to measure the improvement in eczema area and severity index. Secondary outcomes examined included the children's dermatology life quality index/infant's dermatitis quality of life, peak pruritus numerical rating scale, and delay to dupilumab access for patients who were considered off-label for dupilumab due to their age. RESULTS: Sixty three pediatric patients (37 males) with moderate-to-severe AD were included; the mean age was 6.4 years old (range: 2-11) when dupilumab treatment was started. Overall, 75% (36/48) achieved EASI-75% and 71% (34/48) achieved EASI-90. EASI-75 and EASI-90 were achieved in 90% (17/19) and 73% (12/19) in patients <6 years old, and 76% (22/29) and 59% (17/29) in patients >6 years old, respectively. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Dupilumab is safe and effective for patients under the age of 12. However, even for experienced providers, access to the medication was challenging.

Brodalumab-Induced Eczematous Reactions in Psoriasis Patients: Management With Switching to Risankizumab.

Biological treatments targeting IL-17 are highly efficacious with rapid onset of action in psoriasis. Cutaneous adverse events are associated with different biological treatments, including paradoxical psoriasis and eczematous reactions. Brodalumab was previously suggested as an alternative treatment option in psoriasis patients who developed dermatitis or paradoxical psoriasis while on a biologic. Here we report three psoriasis patients who developed brodalumab induced eczematous reaction with complete clearance after switching to risankizumab. Early recognition is crucial for appropriate management. We propose switching patients with psoriasis who develop severe eczematous reaction while on a biologic targeting IL-17 to an IL 23 inhibitor due to efficacy in psoriasis and rarely reported eczematous reaction.

Barriers, goals, and enablers of transition of care in pediatric dermatology.

Adolescent patients with complex skin disorders may require ongoing care for their conditions as they "age out" of the pediatric setting into adult care. Yet despite consensus from the Canadian Paediatric Society and American Academy of Pediatrics on the importance of dedicated transition programs for these patients, there is a scarcity of such programs worldwide, and no formal programs in Canada. This paper explores several barriers, goals, and potential enablers of transition programs in this discipline and proposes principles of transition versus transfer in the context of pediatric dermatology.

Differences in Practice Patterns and Payments for Female and Male Dermatologists: A Canadian Population-Based Study Over 3 Decades.

BACKGROUND: Canada's fee-for-service physician reimbursement system, where a set rate is provided for each service, suggests that a physician sex pay gap should not exist. However, recent evidence has questioned this presumption. OBJECTIVES: To characterize trends in demographics and billing, overall and by sex, for dermatologists compared to other medical and surgical specialty groups in Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Using population-based data, analysis of physician billing and clinical activity from Ontario, Canada, over 27 years (1992-2018) was performed. Multilevel regression models were used to examine unadjusted and adjusted differences in payments between females and males over time, while controlling for age, distinct patients seen, patient visits, and full-time equivalent. RESULTS: A total of 22 389 physicians were included in the analyses, including 381 dermatologists. The proportion of female dermatologists increased from 32% in 1992 to 46% in 2018. Dermatologists' median Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) payments were $415 340 (IQR: 285 630-566 580) in 1992 compared to $296 750 (IQR: 164 480-493 180) in 2018. Male dermatologists' OHIP payments were 20% more than their female counterparts across the entire study period. After adjusting for practice volumes, there was no significant pay gap amongst female and male dermatologists (P = .42); however, the sex pay gap remained significant for the other specialty groups (P < .001). From 1992 to 2018, dermatologists on average saw 19% fewer distinct patients per year and 15% fewer visits per patient. CONCLUSIONS: The overall sex pay gap within medical dermatology can be attributed to differences in practice patterns, whereas the sex pay gap remained significant in the other specialty groups.

Dermatology: how to manage atopic dermatitis in patients with skin of colour.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease prevalent in all skin types but can differ in pathogenesis and clinical presentation. It has been documented in the literature that AD is more prevalent in Asian and Black individuals than in white individuals. Genetic variations as well as cultural and socioeconomic factors have important implications for susceptibility to AD and response to treatment in skin of colour. In this narrative review, we discuss differences in the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and treatment of AD in skin of colour. Additionally, we highlight the need for greater inclusivity of non-white ethnic groups in clinical trials to develop targeted treatments for diverse populations. Moreover, awareness of differences in AD presentation amongst non-white individuals may encourage patients to seek medical care earlier, leading to timely management and improved outcomes.

COVID-19 Skin Manifestations in Skin of Colour.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) skin manifestations have been increasingly reported in medical literature. Recent discussions have identified a lack of images of skin of color (SOC) patients with COVID-19 related skin findings despite people with skin of color being disproportionately affected with the disease. There have been calls to prioritize the identification of COVID-19 skin manifestations in patients with SOC and disseminate these findings. The objective of this article is to review the existing literature on COVID-19 skin manifestations and, where possible, discuss how they may present differently in patients with SOC. Further research is needed to allow primary care physicians and dermatologists to be aware of and easily identify patients with cutaneous findings that may be secondary to COVID-19. Patients presenting with idiopathic dermatologic manifestations should be considered for COVID-19 testing and follow public health guidelines for self-isolation.

Practical Management of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis on Dupilumab.

INTRODUCTION: Dupilumab is approved to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in several countries in patients as young as 6 years of age. Since its approval, practical issues related to the use of dupilumab for AD have arisen, with particular interest in transitioning from current therapies and managing medication overlap, considerations for special populations of patients with AD, and management of potential adverse events. METHODS: This article aims to review the literature addressing several practical management issues related to dupilumab use for AD and to provide a framework for clinical decision-making in these circumstances and sub-populations. Each statement was reviewed, revised and voted on by authors to provide their level of agreement and degree of uncertainty for each statement. RESULTS: An agreement level > 80% was achieved for all of the statements. CONCLUSION: The expert panel provides statements considering the practical management of patients with AD taking dupilumab to inform clinical decision-making in specific but frequently encountered clinical situations.

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by abnormalities in blood vessel formation. The clinical manifestations of patients affected with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia include mucocutaneous telangiectasias and visceral arteriovenous malformations. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of a 30-year-old female diagnosed with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia presenting with the classic triad of recurrent epistaxis, mucocutaneous telangiectasias and family history of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia with activin receptor-like kinase 1 mutation. Upon skin examination, she was noted to have telangiectasias under left naris, inner lower lip and surface of the tongue, and a vascular malformation on the right forearm. CONCLUSION: Although the skin involvement and epistaxis may be mild symptoms and signs of hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia, timely recognition of these can ensure vigilant monitoring of potential severe complications from cerebral and pulmonary visceral arteriovenous malformations.

Diversity in Dermatology? An Assessment of Undergraduate Medical Education.

BACKGROUND: A lack of representation of skin of color (SoC) in dermatology curricula is well-documented across North American medical schools and may present a barrier to equitable and comprehensive undergraduate medical education. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine representation in dermatologic educational materials and appreciate a link between bias in dermatologic education and student diagnostic ability and self-rated confidence. DESIGN: The University of Toronto Dermatology Undergraduate Medical Education curriculum was examined for the percentage photographic representation of SoC. A survey of 10 multiple-choice questions was administered to first- and third-year medical students at the University of Toronto to assess diagnostic accuracy and self-rated confidence in diagnosis of 5 common skin lesions in Fitzpatrick skin phototypes (SPT) I-III (white skin) and VI-VI (SoC). RESULTS: The curriculum audit showed that <7% of all images of skin disease were in SoC. Diagnostic accuracy was fair for both first- (77.8% and 85.9%) and third-year (71.3% and 72.4%) cohorts in white skin and SoC, respectively. Students' overall self-rated confidence was significantly greater in white skin when compared to SoC, in both first- (18.75/25 and 17.78/25, respectively) and third-year students (17.75/25 and 15.79/25, respectively) (P = .0002). CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary assessment identified a lack of confidence in diagnosing dermatologic conditions in SoC, a finding which may impact health outcomes of patients with SoC. This project is an important first step in diversifying curricular materials to provide comprehensive medical education.