The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part I: Definitions, Mechanisms of Action, and Technical Specifications.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an increasingly popular treatment modality for various dermatologic conditions, but there are limitations in both the published literature and clinician knowledge. OBJECTIVE: To create a high-yield, in-depth analysis of PRP in procedural dermatology by reviewing available data on its role in hair restoration, soft-tissue remodeling, resurfacing, and rejuvenation; identifying practice gaps and controversies; and making suggestions for future research that will establish dermatologists as pioneers of regenerative medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 2-part systematic review and expert analysis of publications before October 2018. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Most studies on PRP report favorable outcomes with the strongest level of evidence existing for androgenetic alopecia followed by postprocedure wound healing, scar revision, striae, rejuvenation, and dermal filling. There is a dearth of large randomized controlled trials, considerable heterogeneity in the variables studied, and lack of specificity in the preparatory protocols, which may influence clinical outcomes. Future investigations should use consistent nomenclature, find ideal solution parameters for each cutaneous indication, determine significant outcome metrics, and follow double-blinded, randomized, controlled methodologies. Addressing these deficiencies will take sound scientific inquiry but ultimately has the potential to benefit the authors' specialty greatly.

The Physician's Guide to Platelet-Rich Plasma in Dermatologic Surgery Part II: Clinical Evidence.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an increasingly popular treatment modality for various dermatologic conditions, but there are limitations in both the published literature and clinician knowledge. OBJECTIVE: To create a high-yield, in-depth analysis of PRP in procedural dermatology by reviewing available data on its role in hair restoration, soft-tissue remodeling, resurfacing, and rejuvenation; identifying practice gaps and controversies; and making suggestions for future research that will establish dermatologists as pioneers of regenerative medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-part systematic review and expert analysis of publications before October 2018. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Most studies on PRP report favorable outcomes with the strongest level of evidence existing for androgenetic alopecia followed by postprocedure wound healing, scar revision, striae, rejuvenation, and dermal filling. There is a dearth of large randomized controlled trials, considerable heterogeneity in the variables studied, and lack of specificity in the preparatory protocols, which may influence clinical outcomes. Future investigations should use consistent nomenclature, find ideal solution parameters for each cutaneous indication, determine significant outcome metrics, and follow double-blinded, randomized, controlled methodologies. Addressing these deficiencies will take sound scientific inquiry but ultimately has the potential to benefit the authors' specialty greatly.

The Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma in the Field of Hair Restoration and Facial Aesthetics-A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

As a promising alternative to traditional treatment, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is being used to encourage hair growth through the release of growth factors and cytokines. In addition to hair restoration, PRP's multifactorial capabilities can also be used to treat aging skin, facial scarring, and acne. The purpose of this review is to critically examine the success of PRP in the field of dermatology, with specific attention to the role of PRP in hair restoration. Where possible, meta-analyses were used to evaluate the efficacy of PRP. In androgenetic alopecia (AGA) patients, 3 monthly PRP injections (1 session administered every month for 3 months) exhibited greater efficacy over placebo as measured by change in total hair density (hair/cm2) over the treatment period (mean difference: 25.61, 95% CI: 4.45 to 46.77; P = .02). The studies included in the meta-analysis used a half-head design, which may have influenced the results because of the effects PRP can induce. Controlled studies suggest that 2 to 4 sessions of PRP combined with traditional therapies and procedures can help minimize acne scarring and facial burns, improve aesthetic results, and decrease recovery time. However, data for these indications are lacking and are less robust in design. In conclusion, to achieve an improvement in hair restoration in patients with mild AGA, 3 initial monthly PRP injections should be given. Only upon completion of rigorous, randomized, controlled studies can standardized and effective PRP protocols for treating dermatology conditions such as acne scarring, facial burns, and aging skin be determined.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Different Platelet-Rich Plasma Regimens for Management of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Single-Center, Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may mitigate androgenetic alopecia (AGA), but each varies in the frequency of and interval between treatments. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy, satisfaction, tolerability, and safety of 2 initial PRP injection protocols over 6 months. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, single-blinded trial among 40 patients with moderate AGA. Participants received subdermal PRP injections according to 1 of 2 treatment protocols: 3 monthly sessions with booster 3 months later (Group 1) or 2 sessions every 3 months (Group 2). Folliscope hair count and shaft caliber, global photography, and patient satisfaction questionnaires were obtained at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: At 6 months, both groups demonstrated statistically significant increases in hair count (p < .001). These improvements occurred more rapidly and more profoundly for Group 1 (mean percent change: Group 1, 29.6 ± 13.6 vs Group 2, 7.2 ± 10.4; p < .001). Shaft caliber also increased significantly with no difference between groups. Treatments produced high satisfaction (82% "satisfied" or "highly satisfied") and were safe and well tolerated (mean pain score 2.1). CONCLUSION: Subdermal PRP injections are an efficacious and tolerable therapy among men and women with AGA. The benefits may be greater if first administered monthly. Clinicians should consider these findings when designing treatment plans.

Acral keratoses and squamous-cell carcinomas likely associated with arsenic exposure.

Chronic arsenic exposure is known to inducepunctate keratoses with an increased risk ofprimary squamous-cell carcinoma. Drinking wateris currently the major source of arsenic exposureworldwide and is considered one of the mostsubstantial environmental carcinogens. We describethe case of a 61-year-old Hungarian woman withscattered, acral, hyperkeratotic papules and a historyof five palmoplantar squamous-cell carcinomasas well as two other extremity non-melanomaskin cancers. Prior to immigration, she had livedin a county of Southern Hungary that is known tohave elevated concentrations of inorganic arsenicin the drinking water above the World HealthOrganization's current maximum threshold forsafety. To date, this report is the first to describethe phenomenon of palmoplantar squamouscellcarcinomas in a patient from this region andunderscores the importance of vigilant screening inthose individuals who have spent substantial time inhigh-risk regions internationally and domestically.

Keratolysis exfoliativa.

Keratolysis exfoliativa (KE) is a palmoplantar eruption of air-filled bullae on an erythematous base, which results in lamellar peeling with hallmark superficial collarettes of scale. It is distinct from other diseases of volar skin, such as dyshidrosis, contact dermatitis, tinea, epidermolysis bullosa, and acral skin peeling. We present a 55-year-old woman with extensive disease on the hands and feet, who failed to respond to standard topical therapy but showed a marked dose-response improvement with the use of oral acitretin. Recent histopathologic and molecular studies have linked KE to premature corneo-desmosomal disruption. Acitretin has previously been used to treat diseases of abnormal corneocyte desquamation, for example Netherton's disease. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first that documents the efficacy of the use of systemic acitretin in KE.

Recent trends in breast cancer incidence in US white women by county-level urban/rural and poverty status.

BACKGROUND: Unprecedented declines in invasive breast cancer rates occurred in the United States between 2001 and 2004, particularly for estrogen receptor-positive tumors among non-Hispanic white women over 50 years. To understand the broader public health import of these reductions among previously unstudied populations, we utilized the largest available US cancer registry resource to describe age-adjusted invasive and in situ breast cancer incidence trends for non-Hispanic white women aged 50 to 74 years overall and by county-level rural/urban and poverty status. METHODS: We obtained invasive and in situ breast cancer incidence data for the years 1997 to 2004 from 29 population-based cancer registries participating in the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries resource. Annual age-adjusted rates were examined overall and by rural/urban and poverty of patients' counties of residence at diagnosis. Joinpoint regression was used to assess trends by annual quarter of diagnosis. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2004, overall invasive breast cancer incidence fell 13.2%, with greater reductions among women living in urban (-13.8%) versus rural (-7.5%) and low- (-13.0%) or middle- (-13.8%) versus high- (-9.6%) poverty counties. Most incidence rates peaked around 1999 then declined after second quarter 2002, although in rural counties, rates decreased monotonically after 1999. Similar but more attenuated patterns were seen for in situ cancers. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer rates fell more substantially in urban and low-poverty, affluent counties than in rural or high-poverty counties. These patterns likely reflect a major influence of reductions in hormone therapy use after July 2002 but cannot exclude possible effects due to screening patterns, particularly among rural populations where hormone therapy use was probably less prevalent.

Self-reported Patient Motivations for Seeking Cosmetic Procedures.

Importance: Despite the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures, the sociocultural and quality-of-life factors that motivate patients to undergo such procedures are not well understood. Objective: To estimate the relative importance of factors that motivate patients to seek minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective, multicenter observational study was performed at 2 academic and 11 private dermatology practice sites that represented all US geographic regions. Adult patients presenting for cosmetic consultation or treatment from December 4, 2016, through August 9, 2017, were eligible for participation. Exposures: Participants completed a survey instrument based on a recently developed subjective framework of motivations and a demographic questionnaire. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were the self-reported most common motivations in each quality-of-life category. Secondary outcomes were other frequently reported motivations and those associated with specific procedures. Results: Of 529 eligible patients, 511 agreed to participate, were enrolled, and completed the survey. Typical respondents were female (440 [86.1%]), 45 years or older (286 [56.0%]), white (386 [75.5%]), and college educated (469 [91.8%]) and had previously received at least 2 cosmetic procedures (270 [52.8%]). Apart from motivations pertaining to aesthetic appearance, including the desire for beautiful skin and a youthful, attractive appearance, motives related to physical health, such as preventing worsening of condition or symptoms (253 of 475 [53.3%]), and psychosocial well-being, such as the desire to feel happier and more confident or improve total quality of life (314 of 467 [67.2%]), treat oneself or celebrate (284 of 463 [61.3%]), and look good professionally (261 of 476 [54.8%]) were commonly reported. Motivations related to cost and convenience were rated as less important (68 of 483 [14.1%]). Most motivations were internally generated, designed to please the patients and not others, with patients making the decision to undergo cosmetic procedures themselves and spouses seldom being influential. Patients younger than 45 years were more likely to undertake procedures to prevent aging (54 of 212 [25.5%] vs 42 of 286 [14.7%] among patients ≥45 years; P < .001). Patients seeking certain procedures, such as body contouring (19 of 22 [86.4%]), acne scar treatment (36 of 42 [85.7%]), and tattoo removal (8 of 11 [72.7%]), were more likely to report psychological and emotional motivations. Conclusions and Relevance: This initial prospective, multicenter study comprehensively assessed why patients seek minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. Common reasons included emotional, psychological, and practical motivations in addition to the desire to enhance physical appearance. Differences relative to patient age and procedures sought may need further exploration.

Recent breast cancer trends among Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and African-American women in the US: changes by tumor subtype.

BACKGROUND: Recently, unprecedented drops in breast cancer incidence have been reported for populations of mostly White European descent. Incidence patterns in non-White racial/ethnic groups are less described. Therefore, we examined population-based breast cancer incidence trends separately for US Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, African-American, and non-Hispanic White women by etiologically relevant tumor subtype characteristics, including hormone receptor status, histology, size, and in situ behavior. METHODS: We obtained breast cancer data from 13 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registries to calculate age-adjusted incidence rates and trends, stratified by race/ethnicity and tumor subtype for the period 1992-2004. Detailed analyses were limited to women 50 years old or older. Joinpoint regression was used to assess incidence trends by annual quarter of diagnosis. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2004, incidence rates of invasive breast cancer in women 50 years old or older declined appreciably among Asians/Pacific Islanders (-8.5%) and Hispanics (-2.9%) and were stable in African-Americans (+0.5%), reductions substantially lower than those observed among non-Hispanic Whites (-14.3%). In Asian/Pacific Islander women, perceptible but statistically nonsignificant decreases were observed for hormone receptor-positive, lobular, and small tumors only. Rates of hormone receptor-negative tumors increased among African-Americans (26.1%) and Hispanics (26.9%) during 2001-2004. Incidence trends in most groups, except African-American women, peaked between 1999 and mid-2002. Rates of in situ cancer remained stable in all groups. CONCLUSION: Recently reported reductions in breast cancer incidence varied considerably by race/ethnicity. These patterns are consistent with documented racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence and discontinuation of hormone therapy (HT) after July 2002 but do not correspond as well to patterns of mammography use in these groups. The data presented in this analysis provide further evidence that population-level HT use is a major influence on population-level rates of particular breast cancer subtypes, especially receptor-positive tumors.

Increases in melanoma among adolescent girls and young women in California: trends by socioeconomic status and UV radiation exposure.

OBJECTIVE: During the past 3 decades in the United States, melanoma incidence among non-Hispanic white girls and women aged 15 to 39 years has more than doubled. To better understand which specific subpopulations of girls and women experienced this increase and thereby to target public health interventions, we assessed the relationship between melanoma incidence and small-area level measures of socioeconomic status (SES) and UV radiation (UV-R) exposure. DESIGN: Longitudinal study of California Cancer Registry, US Census, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data from pericensal periods January 1, 1988, through December 31, 1992, and January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2002. SETTING: State of California. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3800 non-Hispanic white girls and women aged 15 to 39 years, in whom 3842 melanomas were diagnosed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence rates per 100 000 person-years and rate ratios according to SES quintiles and UV-R exposure tertiles. RESULTS: Whereas melanoma rates increased over time for all SES categories, only changes among the highest 3 categories achieved statistical significance. UV radiation was significantly and positively associated with melanoma incidence only among adolescent girls and young women in the 2 highest quintiles ranked by SES, which suggests that SES is not a proxy for UV-R exposure. Those living in neighborhoods with the highest SES and UV-R categories had 80.0% higher rates of melanoma than those in neighborhoods in the lowest categories (rate ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-3.01). CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the ways that SES and UV-R exposure work together to influence melanoma incidence is important for planning effective prevention and educational efforts. Interventions should target adolescent girls and young women living in high SES and high UV-R neighborhoods because they have experienced a significantly greater increase in disease burden.