Basal Cell Carcinoma: Incidence and Trends in Valencia, Spain. / Carcinoma basocelular: incidencia y tendencias en Valencia (España).

BACKGROUND: There is a need for epidemiological and incidence data on the occurrence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in Spain. OBJECTIVES: Our study was designed to retrospectively retrieve cases from our computer databases from 2010 through 2016 to provide updated data on the actual incidence of BCC in Valencia, eastern Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was an epidemiological study on basal cell carcinoma conducted in Valencia, eastern Spain. We analyzed a total of 2171 patients and 4047 tumors, and gathered data to estimate the actual incidence of BBC in our region. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our study confirmed that the incidence of BCC is much higher than previously reported. We calculated a crude incidence of 410.38 BCCs/100 000 person-years, an adjusted rate for the European population of 256.98 BCCs/100 000 person-years, and an adjusted rate for the world population of 196.26 BCCs/100 000 person-years. Risk is up to 29.49% higher for men (464.07 cases/100 000 person-years vs 358.40 cases/100 000 person-years for women). Incidence also increases by an annual 3.91% (a significantly higher annual incidence of 8.28% in women vs a 0.92% annual incidence in men). Overall, the lifetime risk for developing a BCC is 5.8% (5.02% in women and 7% in men).

[Translated article] Requirements for Accessing New Dermatology Drugs in Spain: Results of the EQUIDAD Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the Spanish Ministry of Health prepares national therapeutic positioning reports (TPRs) and drug reimbursement policies, each of the country's 17 autonomous communities (ACs) is responsible for health care services and prescription requirements in its territory. The aim of the EQUIDAD study was to describe and explore potential differences in prescription requirements for new dermatology drugs across the autonomous communities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in April and May, 2023. Two dermatologists with management responsibilities from each autonomous community reported on territorial and more local prescription requirements for drugs covered by national TPRs issued between 2016 and 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-three researchers from 17 autonomous communities participated. The data submitted revealed between-community inequities in access to new drugs. Overall, 64.7% of the regions imposed additional prescription requirements to those mentioned in the TPRs for psoriasis. This percentage was lower for atopic dermatitis (35.3%) and melanoma (11.8%). The most common requirement for accessing a new drug was a previous prescription for another drug. Differences and additional requirements were also detected at the local level (i.e., differences between hospitals within the same autonomous community). CONCLUSIONS: Spain's autonomous communities have multiple regional and local prescription requirements that are not aligned with national TPR recommendations. These differences result in inequitable access to new drugs for both patients and practitioners across Spain.

Requirements for Accessing New Dermatology Drugs in Spain: Results of the EQUIDAD Study. / Condicionantes de acceso a nuevos medicamentos dermatológicos en España: resultados del proyecto EQUIDAD.

BACKGROUND: Although the Spanish Ministry of Health prepares national therapeutic positioning reports (TPRs) and drug reimbursement policies, each of the country's 17 autonomous communities (ACs) is responsible for health care services and prescription requirements in its territory. The aim of the EQUIDAD study was to describe and explore potential differences in prescription requirements for new dermatology drugs across the autonomous communities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in April and May, 2023. Two dermatologists with management responsibilities from each autonomous community reported on territorial and more local prescription requirements for drugs covered by national TPRs issued between 2016 and 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-three researchers from 17 autonomous communities participated. The data submitted revealed between-community inequities in access to new drugs. Overall, 64.7% of the regions imposed additional prescription requirements to those mentioned in the TPRs for psoriasis. This percentage was lower for atopic dermatitis (35.3%) and melanoma (11.8%). The most common requirement for accessing a new drug was a previous prescription for another drug. Differences and additional requirements were also detected at the local level (i.e., differences between hospitals within the same autonomous community). CONCLUSIONS: Spain's autonomous communities have multiple regional and local prescription requirements that are not aligned with national TPR recommendations. These differences result in inequitable access to new drugs for both patients and practitioners across Spain.

Congenital and Infantile Hemangiomas: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Treatment Characteristics Based on 3 Years' Experience at a Tertiary Care Hospital - A Retrospective Case Comparison and Review of the Literature. / Características clínico-epidemiológicas y consideraciones terapéuticas de los hemangiomas congénitos e infantiles de un hospital de tercer nivel durante un periodo de 3 años: estudio comparativo y revisión de la literatura.

Distinguishing between congenital and infantile hemangiomas is challenging, but essential for appropriate treatment. The immunohistochemical marker glucose transporter type 1 is helpful, but biopsies are uncommon in this setting. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe and compare epidemiological, clinical, and treatment characteristics of congenital and infantile hemangiomas diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital over 3 years. We studied 107 hemangiomas: 34 congenital hemangiomas (rapidly involuting, partially involuting, and noninvoluting), 70 infantile hemangiomas, and 3 hemangiomas pending classification. Superficial infantile hemangiomas of the head and neck were the most prevalent tumors. Congenital hemangiomas were most often located on the trunk. Studied risk factors were more common in patients with infantile hemangiomas. In this group of patients, treatment response was independent of sex, in vitro fertilization, lesion depth and location, and type of treatment.

Perineural Invasion in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. / Invasión perineural en el carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is sometimes characterized by an increased risk of locoregional recurrence and occasionally distant metastasis. Several clinical and pathological factors, including perineural invasion, have been shown to have prognostic value in this setting. Perineural invasion, that is, the spread of tumor cells into the space surrounding a nerve, is usually an incidental finding. In the presence of symptoms or radiographic evidence of perineural spread, the diagnosis is clinical perineural invasion, which is associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and mortality.

[Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with Sweet syndrome in the health area of a tertiary hospital in the autonomous community of Valencia]. / Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticados de síndrome de Sweet en el área de un hospital terciario de la Comunidad Valenciana.

Sweet syndrome is the most characteristic of the neutrophilic dermatoses. We performed a retrospective study of patients with Sweet syndrome seen in our department between 2001 and 2009, inclusive; the aims were to define the patient profile and to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological differences between subgroups. There were 24 patients (13 women and 11 men). The age distribution was similar in both sexes and showed 2 peaks, one in the fourth decade and the other in the eighth decade. The etiology was predominantly infectious or inflammatory, followed by the idiopathic form. There were 4 cases of paraneoplastic disease, 2 of which involved solid-organ tumors. One case was associated with the administration of infliximab. Symptoms persisted longer in cases that were idiopathic or that developed in the context of neoplastic disease.

Exacerbation of psoriatic skin lesions in a patient with psoriatic arthritis receiving adalimumab.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of a patient with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving adalimumab, who developed an exacerbation of palmoplantaris pustulosa psoriasis. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old woman diagnosed with PsA had received treatment with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Two months prior to admission, the patient had a Disease Activity Score of 3.8; diclofenac therapy was suspended and physicians considered treatment with adalimumab. Chest X-rays were normal and the tuberculin skin test was negative. Treatment with adalimumab was started. After the third dose of adalimumab, the patient developed an exacerbation of psoriatic skin lesions on palms and soles. The clinical course was consistent with an exacerbation of palmoplantaris pustulosa psoriasis. Adalimumab treatment was suspended. The patient was treated with oral methotrexate 2.5 mg once weekly. One month after methrotexate was started, the patient developed a severe alopecia. Methrotexate therapy was suspended. Three months later, the patient continued with psoriatic skin lesions on palms and soles. Treatment with Psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy was initiated and the patient condition improved without occurrence of psoriatic skin lesions in the next 4 months. DISCUSSION: Cases of worsening or exacerbation of psoriatic skin lesions induced by anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents in patients diagnosed PsA are infrequently described in the literature. The most likely cause of the exacerbation of palmoplantaris pustulosa psoriasis in this case was considered to be adalimumab because of the close temporal relationship between exposure to the drug and onset of symptoms. Adalimumab was the only identifiable precipitant that the patient encountered before the exacerbation of psoriasis developed. In accordance with the data obtained and based on the Naranjo algorithm, the adverse reaction could be considered probable. CONCLUSIONS: Patients initiated on adalimumab therapy should be closely monitored for the development of exacerbation of psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect of this anti-TNF drug.