Self-applied topical interventions for melasma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from randomized, investigator-blinded clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common dermatological condition. Although its relevance as a skin condition is primarily of a cosmetic nature, it may affect the patient's wellbeing and quality of life. A broad range of treatment options is available, which makes it difficult to choose the most appropriate of those treatments. OBJECTIVES: To summarize and critically appraise evidence from investigator-blinded randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy and safety of self-applied topical interventions for melasma. METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane CENTRAL trials database for RCTs on topical, self-administered interventions for patients diagnosed with melasma. Eligibility was limited to RCTs that explicitly stated in their methods section (i) how they generated the random allocation sequence, and (ii) that the study outcome assessor was blinded to the participants' group allocation. Outcomes of interest included evaluator-assessed clinical scores (such as the Melasma Area and Severity Index), quality of life and patient-reported outcomes, as well as safety outcomes. The study findings were meta-analysed, pooling data from studies on the same comparisons, if this was possible. We assessed confidence in effect estimates using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Our searches yielded 1078 hits. We included 36 studies reporting on 47 different comparisons of interventions. These included medical treatments such as 'triple combination cream' (TCC), over-the-counter cosmetic and herbal products, as well as sun creams covering different light spectra. Pooling data was possible for only two comparisons, topical tranexamic acid (TXA) vs. hydroquinone (HQ) and cysteamine vs. placebo. Direct comparisons were available for a variety of interventions; however, the reported outcomes varied greatly. Overall, our confidence in the effect estimates ranged from very low to high. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that TCC and its individual components HQ and tretinoin are effective in lightening melasma. Besides these established self-applied treatment options, we identified further medical treatments as well as promising cosmetic and herbal product treatment approaches. Furthermore, evidence suggests that using broad-spectrum sunscreen covering both the visible and ultraviolet-light spectrum enhances the treatment efficacy of HQ. However, with mostly small RCTs comparing treatments directly using a broad range of outcomes, further research is needed to draw conclusions about which treatment is most effective. What is already known about this topic? Melasma is a common dermatological disease. Although it is primarily a cosmetic condition, it can severely affect the patient's wellbeing and quality of life. Treatment options for melasma include a broad range of medical, cosmetic and herbal products. Given the large number of available interventions, it is difficult for clinicians and for patients to make informed decisions about which treatment to choose. What does this study add? We systematically assessed data from investigator-blinded randomized controlled trials of self-applied topical interventions. Our GRADE evaluations of confidence in the findings ranged from very low to high and may help clinicians and patients navigate treatment decisions. Besides the established self-applied medical treatment options, we identified promising cosmetic and herbal treatment approaches. Evidence suggests sunscreen covering the ultraviolet (UV)- and visible light spectra increases treatment efficacy compared with UV-only protection.

German evidence and consensus-based (S3) guideline: Vaccination recommendations for the prevention of HPV-associated lesions.

Anogenital and oropharyngeal infections with human papilloma viruses (HPV) are common. Clinically manifest disease may significantly impact quality of life; the treatment of HPV-associated lesions is associated with a high rate of recurrence and invasive neoplasms, such as cervical, anal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers, which are characterized by significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against HPV is an effective and safe measure for the primary prevention of HPV-associated lesions, but immunization rates are still low in Germany. The present publication is an abridged version of the German evidence and consensus-based guideline "Vaccination recommendations for the prevention of HPV-associated lesions", which is available on the website of the German Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (AWMF). On the basis of a systematic review with meta-analyses, a representative panel developed and agreed upon recommendations for the vaccination of different populations against HPV. In addition, consensus-based recommendations were developed for specific issues relevant to everyday practice. Based on current evidence and a representative expert consensus, these recommendations are intended to provide guidance in a field in which there is often uncertainty and in which both patients and health care providers are sometimes confronted with controversial and emotionally charged points of view.

Italian S3-Guideline on the treatment of Atopic Eczema - Part 1: Systemic therapy, adapted from EuroGuiDerm by the Italian Society of Dermatology and STD (SIDEMAST), the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists (ADOI) and the Italian Society of Allergological and Environmental Dermatology (SIDAPA).

SIDeMaST (Società Italiana di Dermatologia Medica, Chirurgica, Estetica e delle Malattie Sessualmente Trasmesse) contributed to the development of the present guideline on the systemic treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. With the permission of EuroGuiDerm, SIDeMaST adapted the guideline to the Italian healthcare context to supply a reliable and affordable tool to Italian physicians who take care of patients affected by atopic dermatitis. The evidence- and consensus-based guideline on atopic eczema was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. Four consensus conferences were held between December 2020 and July 2021. Twenty-nine experts (including clinicians and patient representatives) from 12 European countries participated. This first part of the guideline includes general information on its scope and purpose, the health questions covered, target users and a methods section. It also provides guidance on which patients should be treated with systemic therapies, as well as recommendations and detailed information on each systemic drug. The systemic treatment options discussed in the guideline comprise conventional immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine, ciclosporin, glucocorticosteroids, methotrexate and mycophenolate mofetil), biologics (dupilumab, lebrikizumab, nemolizumab, omalizumab and tralokinumab) and janus kinase inhibitors (abrocitinib, baricitinib and upadacitinib). Part two of the guideline will address avoidance of provocation factors, dietary interventions, immunotherapy, complementary medicine, educational interventions, occupational and psychodermatological aspects, patient perspective and considerations for pediatric, adolescent, pregnant and breastfeeding patients.

Italian S3-Guideline on the treatment of Atopic Eczema - Part 2: non-systemic treatments and treatment recommendations for special AE patient populations, adapted from EuroGuiDerm by the Italian Society of Dermatology and STD (SIDEMAST), the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists (ADOI) and the Italian Society of Allergological and Occupational Dermatology (SIDAPA).

SIDeMaST (Società Italiana di Dermatologia Medica, Chirurgica, Estetica e delle Malattie Sessualmente Trasmesse) contributed to the development of the present guideline on the systemic treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis. With the permission of EuroGuiDerm, SIDeMaST adapted the guideline to the Italian healthcare context to supply a reliable and affordable tool to Italian physicians who take care of patients affected by atopic dermatitis. The evidence- and consensus-based guideline on atopic eczema was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. Four consensus conferences were held between December 2020 and July 2021. Twenty-nine experts (including clinicians and patient representatives) from 12 European countries participated. This second part of the guideline includes recommendations and detailed information on basic therapy with emollients and moisturizers, topical anti-inflammatory treatment, antimicrobial and antipruritic treatment and UV phototherapy. Furthermore, this part of the guideline covers techniques for avoiding provocation factors, as well as dietary interventions, immunotherapy, complementary medicine and educational interventions for patients with atopic eczema and deals with occupational and psychodermatological aspects of the disease. It also contains guidance on treatment for pediatric and adolescent patients and pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as considerations for patients who want to have a child. A chapter on the patient perspective is also provided. The first part of the guideline, published separately, contains recommendations and guidance on systemic treatment with conventional immunosuppressive drugs, biologics and janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, as well as information on the scope and purpose of the guideline, and a section on guideline methodology.

Italian S3-Guideline on the treatment of Atopic Eczema - First Update, adapted from EuroGuiDerm by the Italian Society of Dermatology and STD (SIDEMAST), the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists (ADOI) and the Italian Society of Allergological and Occupational Dermatology (SIDAPA).

The evidence- and consensus-based guideline on atopic eczema, published in JEADV on 18 August 2022 (part 1) and 3 September 2022 (part 2) was developed in accordance with the EuroGuiDerm Guideline and Consensus Statement Development Manual. Four consensus conferences were held between December 2020 and July 2021. Twenty-nine experts (including clinicians and patient representatives) from 12 European countries participated. To reflect the most recent evidence on novel systemic medications, an update was published in October 2022. According to the purpose of the Italian Society of Dermatology and STD (SIDEMAST), the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists (ADOI) and the Italian Society of Allergological and Environmental Dermatology (SIDAPA) to adapt the EuroGuiDerm guideline on the treatment of atopic eczema into the Italian Healthcare setting, the original update has been supplemented by inserting notes, well highlighted by the original text, to emphasize the laws, rules, procedures and suggestions of the Italian Ministry of Health and regional Health authorities.

State of the art treatment for stage I to III anal squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This systematic review summarised and critically appraised evidence on the efficacy and safety of interventions for anal cancer to support the panel of experts developing the national evidence-based anal cancer guideline in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses of interventions for the treatment of stage I to III anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA). We systematically searched several databases and included any randomised controlled trial (RCT) assessing the pre-specified patient populations, regardless of the interventions studied. Non-randomised controlled studies of selected, pre-specified interventions were included if RCTs were not available or contained insufficient information. Where possible, we conducted meta-analyses and critically assessed confidence in the effect estimates using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Our searches yielded 10,325 (25 October 2018) and 889 hits (update search on 18 July 2019). Among the 41 studies (47 publications) included, we identified 19 comparisons of interventions for SCCA, and confidence in the effect estimates ranged from very low to high. Most RCTs compared various chemoradiation regimes. For other treatment options, such as local excision in early stages or different radiotherapies, we mostly identified comparative cohort studies. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that, in most clinical situations, primary chemoradiation based on 5-FU and MMC is still the gold standard. However, treatment options for stage I anal cancer, particularly of the anal margin, as well as newer treatment approaches should be investigated in future RCTs. Overall, our findings may help health care professionals and patients make informed decisions about treatment choices.