Pityriasiform drug eruption associated with venetoclax for acute myeloid leukaemia.

Venetoclax is a targeted antileukaemic therapy that has emerged as the primary treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia in patients of advanced age or who would otherwise be ineligible for standard chemotherapy. Despite the documented evidence of cutaneous side effects of venetoclax, few reports have clarified presenting cutaneous features beyond the descriptors 'rash' and 'pruritus'. In this report, we describe the development of a pityriasiform drug eruption following venetoclax-based induction therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia. This study provides further evidence to characterise the range of cutaneous adverse events that are associated with venetoclax-based therapy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the epidemiology and pathophysiology of venetoclax-induced cutaneous toxicities.

Infectious Disease Screening Prior to Systemic Immunomodulatory Therapy in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Consensus Guidelines from the Asia-Pacific Hidradenitis Suppurativa Foundation.

BACKGROUND: Current infectious disease screening recommendations for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) are adopted from recommendations in chronic plaque psoriasis. No HS-specific guidelines for infectious disease screening prior to immunomodulatory therapy have been developed. OBJECTIVES: To establish an expert Delphi consensus of recommendations regarding infectious disease screening prior to systemic immunomodulatory therapy in HS. METHODS: Participants were identified via recent publications in the field and were sent a questionnaire regarding infectious diseases encountered in the setting of HS, and opinions regarding infectious disease screening prior to various systemic immunomodulatory therapies. All questions were informed by a systematic literature review regarding infections exacerbated or precipitated by immunomodulatory therapy. Questionnaire responses were followed by round-table discussion with a core group of 8 experts followed by a final round of questionnaires resulting in achievement of consensus. RESULTS: 44 expert HS physicians from 12 countries on 5 continents participated in the development of the expert consensus recommendations. Consensus recommendations include screening for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and tuberculosis in all individuals with HS prior to therapy. All immunomodulatory therapies (biologic and systemic immunosuppressant therapy) should be preceded by infectious disease screening including patient and location specific considerations for endemic local diseases and high-risk activities and occupations. Clinical assessment has a significant role in determining the need for laboratory screening in the setting of many uncommon or tropical diseases such as leprosy, leishmaniasis and strongyloidiasis. CONCLUSIONS: The presented consensus recommendations are the first specifically developed for pre-treatment infectious disease screening in Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Australian consensus: Treatment goals for moderate to severe psoriasis in the era of targeted therapies - Adult patients.

BACKGROUND: Over the last decade, the treatment landscape for moderate-severe psoriasis has rapidly evolved. The Australasian College of Dermatologists sought to review and update previously published treatment goals for moderate-severe psoriasis. METHODS: A modified Delphi approach was used. Comprehensive literature review and guideline evaluation resulted in the development of statements and other questions to establish current clinical practices. Two rounds of anonymous voting were undertaken, with a collaborative meeting held in between to discuss areas of discordance. Overall, consensus was defined as achievement of ≥75% agreement in the range 7-9 on a 9-point scale (1 strongly disagree; 9 strongly agree). RESULTS: Consensus was achieved on 26/29 statements in round 1 and a further 20 statements in round 2. There was strong agreement to expanding the classification/definition of psoriasis severity by including a choice of metrics, incorporating quality of life measures, and widening the scope of high-impact sites. Consensus was also reached on revised treatment response criteria, which were then incorporated into a new treatment algorithm. There was discordance with the current requirement to undertake a trial with established systemic agents before accessing targeted therapy. CONCLUSION: The ability of new targeted treatment options to change the narrative in psoriasis patient care can only be properly realised if challenges to timely and equitable access are addressed. The proposed framework for the assessment, classification and management of moderate-severe psoriasis aligns with international recommendations. Its adoption into Australian clinical practice is hoped to improve treatment outcomes and patients' satisfaction with their care.

The impact of hidradenitis suppurativa on quality of life is worse than inflammatory bowel disease and myocardial infarction.

Quality of life is severely impacted by Hidradenitis Suppurativa. This cross-sectional survey based study highlights that the impact of Hidradenitis Suppurativa on quality of life measured by the World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) survey is worse than published data for atopic dermatitis and other acute and chronic medical conditions including myocardial infarction and inflammatory bowel disease.

A case of omalizumab as a successful treatment for telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans.

Treatment for telangiectasia macularis eruptiva perstans (TMEP) is often challenging due to lack of an established first-line therapy and as such is primarily focused on symptomatic relief. Omalizumab shows promise as a potential therapy for mast cell disorders; however, its efficacy in TMEP is yet to be established. This case describes a 72-year-old woman with chronic refractory TMEP achieving symptomatic remission within 4 months of commencing omalizumab therapy.

Reflectance confocal microscopy margin mapping and monitoring of an amelanotic melanoma in situ of the ear.

In situ amelanotic melanoma represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Poor demarcation of these lesions often results in repeated therapeutic intervention until appropriate clearance has been achieved. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) is a noninvasive bedside imaging modality which allows real-time visualisation, to a near-histological level, of the epidermis and reticular dermis. We present a case of an amelanotic melanoma in situ in which reflectance confocal microscopy margin mapping allowed for demarcation of the melanocytic proliferation and targeted therapeutic intervention with topical imiquimod. Reflectance confocal microscopy was further utilised for noninvasive assessment of therapeutic response.

Efficacy of smartphone applications in high-risk pigmented lesions.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Melanoma apps are smartphone applications that assess risk of pigmented lesions using a smartphone camera and underlying algorithm. We aimed to assess the capability of melanoma smartphone applications (apps) in making clinical decisions about risk, compared with lesion assessment by specialist trained dermatologists. METHODS: A prospective study of 3 melanoma apps was conducted between 2015 and 2016, recruiting 30 patients with 57 pigmented lesions. Risk categories assigned by the apps were compared with the clinical decisions of two consultant dermatologists classifying lesions as 'suspicious' or 'benign'. RESULTS: Of the 42 lesions deemed clinically suspicious to a dermatologist, from 9 to 26 were classified as suspicious by the apps; of the 15 clinically benign lesions 3 to 15 were correctly classified as benign by the apps. The apps' sensitivity and specificity ranged from 21 to 72% and 27 to 100.0%, respectively, when compared with the specialists' decisions. Two apps were unable to analyse 14 and 18% of lesions submitted, respectively. Interrater agreement between dermatologists and apps was poor (κ = -0.01 SE = 0.16; P = 0.97) to slight (κ = 0.16 SE = 0.09; P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: None of the melanoma apps tested had high enough agreement with the dermatologist's clinical opinion to be considered to provide additional benefit to patients in assessing their skin for high-risk pigmented lesions. The low sensitivity in detecting lesions that are suspicious to a trained specialist may mean false reassurance is being given to patients. Development of highly sensitive and specific melanoma apps remains a work in progress.

A clinical audit of high-cost and off-label drug use in dermatology.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The use of high-cost, off-label, unsubsidised drugs has become valuable in the management of dermatology patients with challenging conditions unresponsive to conventional therapy. Currently, there is no dedicated funding and a paucity of evidence for such drugs. The aim of this audit was to review outcomes and costs. METHODS: A retrospective clinical audit of high-cost off-label dermatology drug applications to the High Cost Drug's Subcommittee was undertaken at a tertiary public hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, between 2002 and 2013. RESULTS: Of 28 applications, 25 were approved. The medications included thalidomide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin, infliximab, rituximab and adalimumab. Over 70% of patients responded to treatment. Individual annual costs for these medications ranged from $2068 to $36 984. Adverse effects resulted in drug withdrawal in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of dedicated funding for high-cost drugs and a rigorous committee approval process, most applications were approved, of which >70% benefited from treatment. This audit provides useful clinical experience with off-label use of high-cost drugs in difficult dermatological conditions.

Skin protection behaviour and sex differences in melanoma location in patients with multiple primary melanomas.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown that sunscreen usage, sun-protection measures and self-examination rates in patients with single primary melanomas (SPM) are similar to that in the general population. This study hypothesises that these rates would be different in a population with multiple primary melanomas (MPM). We further hypothesise that there would be a sex difference in melanoma location in patients with MPM. The objectives of this study were to determine skin protection measures, self-examinations and melanoma location in a cohort of patients with MPM. METHODS: A survey was conducted on 137 patients with MPM examining their sun-protection measures, skin self-examination rates and medical and phenotypic characteristics. These data were combined with a review of their medical records to examine the patients' skin cancer history. RESULTS: Patients with MPM had higher rates of skin self-evaluation (74% vs 22%), sunscreen usage (70% vs 45%) and other sun-protection measures (95% vs 46%) than has been published for patients with a history of a SPM. We have also shown that women have a higher risk of developing melanomas on their arms (p < 0.01) and lower legs (p < 0.05) than men. CONCLUSIONS: This report showed the rates of skin self-examination, sunscreen usage and other sun-protection methods in patients with MPM is higher than in studies of patients with SPM. It also highlighted sex differences in terms of melanoma location for patients with MPM. Further studies to examine the cause of the differences in these forms of protective behaviour could help improve the utilisation of these important preventative measures in all patients.

An Australian cohort of 210 patients with multiple invasive squamous cell carcinomas: risk factors and associated increased risk of melanoma and internal malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a history of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) have a 50% risk of developing subsequent NMSC.(13) Currently there are limited data on the association between multiple squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and the risk of other cancers, including melanomas. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors in a cohort of 210 Australians with a history of multiple invasive SCC, focusing on the association between multiple SCC and other cancers. METHODS: Data were collected from patients of a private practice in south-east Queensland. RESULTS: A fair complexion and childhood sun exposure were found to be common in this cohort. Approximately half the patients who had their first SCC at or before the age of 30 years subsequently developed a melanoma. There was also an increased risk of internal cancer, prostate cancer being the commonest, followed by bowel and breast cancer. CONCLUSION: Patients with a history of multiple invasive SCC should be aware of their increased risk of future NMSC and of melanomas. The results of thisstudy suggest such patients and their care providers should also consider an appropriate screening for internal malignancies.

Warfarin-induced erythroderma.

Erythroderma is a potentially serious and life-threatening skin disease with a number of possible aetiologies. Drug reactions are well-documented causes, with carbamazepine, penicillin and allopurinol being the most commonly implicated. This case describes a unique presentation of warfarin-induced erythroderma in a 78-year-old female patient.

Clinical photography in dermatology: ethical and medico-legal considerations in the age of digital and smartphone technology.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Clinical photography has long been an important aspect in the management of dermatological pathology and has many applications in contemporary dermatology practice. With the continuous evolution of digital and smartphone technology, clinicians must maintain ethical and medico-legal standards. This article reviews how dermatology trainees are utilising this technology in their clinical practice and what procedures they follow when taking photos of patients. We review the ethical and legal considerations of clinical photography in dermatology and present a hypothetical medico-legal scenario. METHODS: Dermatology registrars were surveyed on their use of personal smartphones and digital equipment for photographing patients in their clinical practice. Numerous medico-legal providers were approached to provide medico-legal advice about a hypothetical scenario. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the use of these technologies is prevalent among dermatology registrars and all respondents reported regular use. Clinicians should routinely obtain and document adequate patient consent in relation to clinical photography, utilise strict privacy settings on smartphones and other digital devices and ensure that the images are stored on these devices for minimal periods. Express consent documentation in the clinical file puts the clinician in a more defensible position if a complaint is made to the medical board or privacy commissioner.

Dermatologists' Perceptions of the Use of Teledermatology in Managing Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: The field of teledermatology has expanded tremendously and has been used for conditions including hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). However, due to the sensitive location of lesions, HS may be considered less suitable for teledermatology. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess dermatologists' experiences and perceptions toward using teledermatology for HS relative to atopic dermatitis (AD) as a comparison. METHODS: A survey was disseminated electronically to practicing dermatologists in the Asia-Pacific region between February and June 2022. Differences in attitudes and perceptions between HS and AD were compared using random-effects ordered logistic regression, controlling for demographics. RESULTS: A total of 100 responses were obtained comprising of 76 (81.7%) dermatologists and 17 (18.3%) dermatology trainees; 62.6% (62/98) of physicians were uncomfortable with using teledermatology for HS. Multivariable regression confirmed increased perceived challenges with managing HS using teledermatology compared to AD. These challenges include the need for photography of hard-to-reach or sensitive areas (odds ratio [OR] 4.71, 95% CI 2.44-9.07; P<.001), difficulties in accurate assessment of severity (OR 2.66, 95%CI 1.48-4.79; P=.001), and inability to palpate lesions (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.23-4.18; P=.009). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the relative reluctance of dermatologists to use teledermatology for HS and complements existing data showing mixed levels of willingness from patients. The use of teledermatology for HS may need to be optimized to overcome these challenges, including increasing security features, selection of patients with milder or limited diseases, and selecting patients with an established and strong doctor-patient relationship.