Advances in Technology for Melanoma Diagnosis and Prognosis: An Expert Consensus Panel.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is associated with a higher mortality rate than most other skin cancers. The purpose of this expert consensus panel was to review the published literature on new technological advancements for the diagnosis and prognosis for CM and provide updated guidance on their usage. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was completed for English-language original research articles on the topics of non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic testing for CM, including gene expression profiling (GEP) and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A panel of 10 dermatologists with significant expertise in the treatment of CM gathered to review the articles and create consensus statements. A modified Delphi process was used to approve each statement and a strength of recommendation was assigned using widely recognized Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy criteria. RESULTS: The literature search produced 200 articles that met the criteria. A screening of the studies resulted in 19 articles. These were distributed to all panelists for review prior to a roundtable discussion. The panel unanimously voted to adopt 7 consensus statements and recommendations, 5 of which were given a strength of "A", 1 of which was given a strength of "B," and 1 of which was given a strength of "C". CONCLUSION: The 2-GEP test and EIS can aid in the precise diagnosis of clinically indeterminate lesions and the 23-GEP test can be used when histopathology is equivocal. The 31-GEP test can enhance prognostic assessment beyond AJCC8 staging and improve clinical decision-making. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(9):774-781. doi:10.36849/JDD.8365R1.

Comparison of Characteristics Influencing Patient Selection of Sunscreen Between Urban and Rural Regions in the United States.

Sunscreen greatly reduces the risk of skin cancer and is recommended as a critical component of sun protection. There is limited literature on patient preferences for sunscreen characteristics. A cross-sectional survey was administered to patients in an urban city and rural area in the United States. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) was consistently the most important factor for patients when selecting sunscreen. However, numerous preferences for sunscreen characteristics vary between the 2 regions, including dermatologist recommendation, texture, ingredients, cost, broad-spectrum, and brand. Gaps in patient knowledge of sunscreen recommendations may be present and further educational programs may be necessary. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(8):e171-e172. doi:10.36849/JDD.8449.

Safety of Bimekizumab for Plaque Psoriasis: An Expert Consensus Panel.

BACKGROUND: Plaque psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing systemic illness that has a significant effect on quality of life. Bimekizumab is the first monoclonal antibody to target both interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F, and recently received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Guidance is necessary regarding the safety of bimekizumab. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was completed for English-language original research articles on the safety of bimekizumab for moderate to severe psoriasis. A panel of 9 dermatologists and 1 rheumatologist with significant expertise in the treatment of psoriasis gathered to review the articles and create consensus statements on this new medication. A modified Delphi process was used to approve each statement, and strength of recommendation was assigned using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy criteria. RESULTS: The literature search produced 110 articles that met the criteria. A thorough screening of the studies for relevance to the research question resulted in 15 articles. These were distributed to all panelists for review prior to a roundtable discussion. The panel unanimously voted to adopt 5 consensus statements and recommendations, all of which were given a strength of "A". CONCLUSION: Bimekizumab has a safety profile consistent with other biologics, except for a higher risk of oral candidiasis. Its hepatic safety profile is comparable with other currently FDA-approved biologics for plaque psoriasis. In addition, the data do not support an association of bimekizumab with suicide, and the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is not greater than the incidence of other IL-17 blockers. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(8):592-599. doi:10.36849/JDD.8246.

Factors Influencing Patient Selection of Sunscreen.

Sunscreen is an essential component of sun protection. The most important characteristics for patient selection of sunscreens have not been evaluated. A cross-sectional survey study was performed at an academic dermatology office. The sunscreen characteristic chosen most frequently was SPF (75.2%). Fewer patients selected broad-spectrum (20.7%) and water-resistance (22.7%). There remains a gap in patient knowledge regarding AAD recommendations for sunscreen characteristics and educational initiatives may be required. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(6):e154-e155.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8324e  .

Outcome Measurement Instruments Used to Evaluate Dermatologic Adverse Events in Cancer Trials: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Assessment of type, severity, and impact of dermatologic adverse events (DAEs) necessitates well-developed and validated clinician-reported outcome measures (ClinROMs) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that evaluate concepts specific to mucocutaneous toxic effects and that allow appropriate interpretation and comparison of DAEs across trials. Objective: To evaluate heterogeneity and quality of ClinROMs and PROMs used to assess DAEs from systemic cancer therapy. Evidence Review: Two systematic reviews were conducted by searching PubMed and Embase databases from inception through March 7, 2023, and April 12, 2023. The first search included randomized clinical trials and observational studies reporting systemic cancer treatment-induced DAEs assessed by a ClinROM or PROM. The second included studies evaluating measurement properties of frequently used ClinROM and PROM instruments. The Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments risk of bias tool was used to evaluate methodologic quality of validation assessments. Findings: A total of 395 studies were included. The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) was utilized in 331 studies meeting inclusion criteria (83.8%). At least 1 skin-related PROM was infrequently utilized in systemic chemotherapy clinical trials (79 studies [20.0%]). Most frequently utilized PROMs were the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI; 34 studies [8.6%]) and Skindex-16 (20 studies [5.1%]). Among studies capturing DAEs, 115 (29.1%) reported a nondescript term (ie, rash) as the only DAE. Eight studies described 44 property assessments of the CTCAE, DLQI, and Skindex. There were no studies evaluating content validity, intrarater reliability, or measurement error for the CTCAE, DLQI, or Skindex. There were no studies evaluating structural validity, internal consistency, and responsiveness of DLQI or Skindex. Interrater reliability and responsiveness were each assessed for 1 DAE-related component of the CTCAE. Construct validity for CTCAE, DLQI, and Skindex was evaluated in 29 (65.9%), 3 (6.8%), and 9 (20.5%) assessments, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: In this systematic review, there was a narrow spectrum of ClinROMs and PROMs with limited validity for the measurement of DAEs in the context of systemic chemotherapy interventions in clinical trials. Report of trial DAEs often had low morphologic specificity and meaning. Based on existing gaps in measurement and report of DAEs, a frequent and impactful adverse event to chemotherapy, the framework for evaluating cutaneous toxic effects in oncology trials may need collaborative reevaluation.

The Efficacy and Safety of Bimekizumab for Plaque Psoriasis: An Expert Consensus Panel.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the skin, joints, and several other organ systems with significant disease burden. Bimekizumab is the first monoclonal antibody targeting both interleukin (IL)-17A and interleukin-17F and has demonstrated efficacy for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. Limited guidelines exist for incorporating this drug into clinical practice. The purpose of this study was for a panel of experts in psoriasis management to synthesize current literature and provide consensus statements with guidance on use of bimekizumab. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar was completed for English-language original research articles on the use of bimekizumab for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. A panel of nine dermatologists with significant expertise in treatment of psoriasis gathered to review the articles and create consensus statements on this new medication. A modified Delphi process was used to approve each statement and a strength of recommendation was assigned using Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy criteria. RESULTS: The literature search produced 102 articles that met criteria. A thorough screening of the studies for relevance to the research question resulted in 19 articles. These were distributed to all panelists for review prior to a roundtable discussion. The panel unanimously voted to adopt 14 consensus statements and recommendations, 12 of which were given a strength of "A", one of which was given a strength of "B", and one of which was given a strength of "C". CONCLUSION: Bimekizumab results in rapid and long-lasting clinical improvement for patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It has demonstrated superior efficacy when compared to several other biologics. The safety profile is consistent with other biologics, except for an increased incidence of oropharyngeal candidiasis.

OpenAI's GPT-4 performs to a high degree on board-style dermatology questions.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence tools such as OpenAI's GPT-4 have shown promise in medical education, but their potential in dermatology remains unexplored. OBJECTIVES: To assess GPT-4's performance on dermatology board-style questions and determine its value as a supplementary educational tool for trainees and educators. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated GPT-4's performance on 250 random dermatology board-style questions sampled from the American Academy of Dermatology's Board Prep Plus resource. Questions were divided into five subspecialties and various difficulty levels. GPT-4 responses were compared to the correct answers and evaluated by two physicians. RESULTS: GPT-4 achieved an overall accuracy of 75% on the 250 questions, with no significant variation based on subspecialty or question difficulty. The most common errors were factual and misunderstanding inaccuracies. Responses scored high in clarity, accuracy, and relevance but frequently lacked depth and completeness. CONCLUSION: GPT-4 performed to a high degree and demonstrated promising performance as an educational adjunct in dermatology. Improvements in response depth and completeness are needed before its use as an unsupervised learning tool is established.

Retirement Planning.

The retirement process is an individualized endeavor. Both financial and social aspects are important to consider when making plans for retirement. In this article, we discuss details of retirement planning, including the need to save, how much and when to start saving, and types of retirement plans. We also review key considerations for deciding when to retire as well as aspects of retirement outside of financial planning, such as redefining one's purpose and finding meaningful activities to fill the void of work.

Efficacy, perception, and utilization of pediatric teledermatology: A systematic review.

Background: The use of teledermatology abruptly expanded with the arrival of COVID-19. Here, we review recent studies regarding the efficacy, perception, and utilization of telemedicine in the pediatric population. Objective: To evaluate the current state of pediatric teledermatology. Methods: A literature search was performed using the terms "pediatric," "teledermatology," "dermatology," "telemedicine" and "telehealth" in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. 44 articles published between 2008 and 2022 were included. Results: Diagnostic concordance between pediatric teledermatologist and in-person dermatologist ranged from 70.1% to 89%. Conditions treated with pediatric teledermatology were similar to those treated in-person. The rate of in-person follow-up after an initial telemedicine appointment pre and postpandemic was 12% to 51.9% and 13.5% to 28.1%, respectively. Patient satisfaction with teledermatology was between 70% to 98% and provider satisfaction was approximately 95%. The integration of teledermatology can reduce missed appointments and wait times among pediatric patients. However, considerable technological challenges exist, particularly in underserved communities. Globally, teledermatology may expand access to care though limited literature exists regarding its use in pediatric populations. Conclusion: Telemedicine is effective for the diagnosis and treatment of many dermatological conditions in children, with high patient and provider satisfaction. Implementation of teledermatology can potentially increase access to care both locally and globally, but obstacles to engagement remain.

Porcine xenograft and second intention healing on the lower extremities after Mohs surgery: a descriptive case series.

There is limited data on benefits of healing after Mohs surgery using porcine xenografts (PXs) compared to second intention (SI). This case series sought to describe healing time, scar size, cosmetic outcome, pain, and infection rates in patients treated with PX or SI for wounds on lower extremities. 14 patients were enrolled. Six patients received treatment with SI, and eight patients received PX. 11 patients (4 SI, 7 PX) completed follow-up visit after 3 months (79% follow-up rate) when primary outcome measure was assessed. 64% of patients took > 3 months to heal. 72% of patients healed within 6 months post-surgery. Scars contracted by > 50% in 7/11 patients completing follow-up. In SI group, 3/5 patients self-reported pain level > 1 out of 10 at 1-week post-surgery compared to 3/8 in the PX group. Two patients in each group developed post-operative wound infection and three patients in PX group experienced other adverse events. These results suggest that healing with PX or SI resulted in small scar size, low post-operative pain level, and low rate of adverse events. Both groups had longer healing times than expected.

Extragenital lichen sclerosus: a comprehensive review of clinical features and treatment.

Lichen sclerosus (LS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease commonly affecting the anogenital area with less frequent extragenital occurrence. Extragenital LS cutaneous manifestations vary and precipitating factors are not well described. Recent evidence for etiology and clinical associations of extragenital LS provide insight into disease recognition and pathogenesis. Novel diagnostic techniques as well as treatment standardization have the potential to improve management of this rare condition. This review details both past and new insights into the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment options of extragenital LS.

Patient Preferences Regarding Virtual Visits in Cutaneous Surgery in the Era of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increasing shift toward the utilization of telehealth services. There are limited data on patient preferences for these services in dermatologic surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient preferences regarding telehealth in dermatologic surgery for pre- and postsurgical care. METHODS: A survey was administered to patients in an academic dermatology practice. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-four patients participated. An in-person presurgical consultation was preferred by 62.1%, and a postsurgical in-person visit was preferred by 67.7%. The most commonly cited reason was desire for physical interaction with their surgeon. For each 10-year increase in age, there was a 1.26-fold and 1.12-fold increase in preference for in-person consultation and follow-up, respectively. Eighty-seven percent felt safe during office visit, and 41% reported no anxiety regarding fear of contracting COVID-19. The proportion of patients preferring in-person pre- or postsurgical visits was similar regardless of sex, presence of an immunocompromising condition, prior dermatologic surgery, anxiety level for contracting COVID-19, and perceived level of office safety. CONCLUSION: A majority of patients prefer in-person visits for pre- and postsurgical care. Older patients have a greater preference for in-person care. Anxiety level regarding COVID-19 and perceived level of office safety were not related to preference for in-person visits.

Incidence of psoriasis among adults in the United States: A sex- and age-adjusted population analysis.

BACKGROUND: Information on recent trends in overall and subgroup incidences in psoriasis is limited. OBJECTIVE: To estimate current incidence of psoriasis in the United States, compare incidences among demographic subgroups, and evaluate recent disease trends. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of psoriasis patients identified with electronic health records between 2014 and 2018. RESULTS: Incidence rate in the overall population (n = 2,152,192) was 63.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 61.8-65.8) per 100,000 person-years. Incidence increased with age and peaked among individuals aged 70 to 79 years (92.3 [95% CI 85.1-100.0] per 100,000 person-years). Incidence was similar between men (62.8 [95% CI 59.8-65.9] per 100,000 person-years) and women (64.8 [95% CI 62.2-67.4] per 100,000 person-years). Standardized incidence rate for Whites (75.3 [95% CI 72.7-78.0] per 100,000 person-years) was greater than that for Hispanic/Latino patients (52.2 [95% CI 44.9-60.3] per 100,000 person-years; P < .001), patients of other race (54.3 [95% CI 46.5-62.9] per 100,000 person-years; P < .001), and Blacks (24.9 [95% CI 21.4-28.8] per 100,000 person-years; P < .001). Incidence appears to be stable within a recent 5-year period. LIMITATIONS: Estimates were derived from approximately 15% of the health care-seeking US population. CONCLUSION: Psoriasis incidence in the United States appears to increase with age, is similar between sexes, and is greatest among Whites.

Pathology Examination of Breast Reduction Specimens: Dispelling the Myth.

More than 100,000 reduction mammaplasties are performed in the United States each year. There is large variance in reported incidence of cancerous/high-risk lesions, ranging from 0.06% to 4.6%. There has been debate whether histological review of breast reduction specimen is necessary. This study aimed to determine the incidence of cancerous/high-risk lesions and to evaluate risk factors for their occurrence. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted for all patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty in 2018 by the senior author. Variables collected included demographics, comorbidities, history of breast surgery, family/personal history of breast cancer, weight of specimen, and pathologic findings. All specimens underwent pathologic evaluation and categorized as benign, proliferative, or malignant. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients underwent 310 reduction mammaplasties. Pathologic evaluations found that 11 patients (7.1%) had positive findings, 9 (5.8%) had proliferative lesions, and 2 (1.29%) had cancerous lesions. Patients with pathology were older (P = 0.038), had a family history of breast cancer (P = 0.026), and had a greater weight of resected tissue (P = 0.005). Multivariable analysis showed family history of breast cancer (P = 0.001), prior breast surgery (P = 0.026), and greater weight of resected breast tissue (P = 0.008) had a higher likelihood of positive pathology. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate an incidence of positive pathology higher than that reported and illustrate the importance of histologic review of breast reduction specimens. Family history of breast cancer, prior breast surgery, and a greater weight of resected tissue increase risk for proliferative/cancerous lesions.