Costs of Common Psoriasis Medications, 2010-2014.

BACKGROUND: Costs for psoriasis have increased in recent years, in part due to the introduction of biologic agents. OBJECTIVE: To identify the most common and most costly (from the payer perspective) drugs used in the treatment of psoriasis. METHODS: We analyzed patient data from a large claims-based database in order to identify the most common and most costly medications used in the treatment of psoriasis from 2010 to 2014. RESULTS: The three most common psoriasis medications, accounting for 81.1% of all psoriasis medications, were topical corticosteroids. The three most costly drugs, accounting for only 9.6% of all psoriasis medications, were biologics, accounting for 86% of the cost of psoriasis medications. CONCLUSIONS: Biologic agents are used far less commonly in the treatment of psoriasis than topical treatments. Despite the relatively small number of patients using biologic agents, biologics are responsible for a large proportion of the cost of psoriasis pharmacotherapy.

Most people with psoriasis or rosacea are not being treated: a large population study.

When left untreated, psoriasis and rosacea can have long-term health and psychosocial implications. The purpose of this study was to estimate the percentage of Americans with psoriasis or rosacea who are not being treated. Patient data from a large claims-based database were analyzed to identify the number of patients who are treated for psoriasis or rosacea. The numbers of patients treated were compared to the estimated prevalences of these diseases in the general population, identified from previously published sources. Of the 18,632,362 patients in the database, 140,439 (0.75%) were seen for psoriasis and 165,130 (0.89%) were seen for rosacea. Based on published sources, 3.2% of Americans have psoriasis and about 5.0% have rosacea. We therefore estimated that 77% of people with psoriasis and 82% of people with rosacea are untreated. Greater awareness, resources, and community outreach projects are potential tools that could eliminate this disparity and increase the quality of life for patients with these diseases.

Hypothyroidism in Patients with Psoriasis or Rosacea: A Large Population Study.

Hypothyroidism is a common disease, and there may be a link between hypothyroidism and inflammatory skin disease. The purpose of this study is to assess whether hypothyroidism is more prevalent in psoriasis or rosacea patients. We utilized a large claims-based database to analyze rates of hypothyroidism in patients with psoriasis and rosacea compared to other patients with skin diseases. Participants were patients between 20-64 years of age with ICD-9 diagnosis codes for psoriasis, rosacea, and hypothyroidism. We found that rates of hypothyroidism in rosacea and psoriasis patients were similar to rates of hypothyroidism in those without rosacea or psoriasis.

Hypothyroidism in Patients with Psoriasis or Rosacea: A Large Population Study.

Hypothyroidism is a common disease, and there may be a link between hypothyroidism and inflammatory skin disease. The purpose of this study is to assess whether hypothyroidism is more prevalent in psoriasis or rosacea patients. We utilized a large claims-based database to analyze rates of hypothyroidism in patients with psoriasis and rosacea compared to other patients with skin diseases. Participants were patients between 20-64 years of age with ICD-9 diagnosis codes for psoriasis, rosacea, and hypothyroidism. We found that rates of hypothyroidism in rosacea and psoriasis patients were similar to rates of hypothyroidism in those without rosacea or psoriasis.

Upstaging From Melanoma in Situ to Invasive Melanoma on the Head and Neck After Complete Surgical Resection.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma in situ (MIS) diagnosed from a subtotal biopsy may be upstaged to invasive melanoma after resection. The frequency of this phenomenon is markedly variable. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the rate of upstaging MIS on the head and neck after resection at this institution, characterize the location of the invasive component relative to the clinically evident lesion, and determine the rate of upstaging with time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed clinical records of adult patients with a preoperative diagnosis of MIS on the head and neck from January 1994 to August 2012. Patient and tumor characteristics were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 624 patients met the inclusion criteria and 24 (4%) were upstaged after resection. Four patients had invasive disease beyond the clinically evident lesion. The annual percentage of upstaged lesions seemed to show an increasing trend with time. CONCLUSION: Upstaging of MIS on the head and neck occurs at a relatively low rate that may be increasing with time. Invasive components of lentigo maligna melanoma may exist beyond the clinically evident margins. Histological examination of the maximal amount of the surgical specimen is paramount for optimal staging and treatment of MIS.