Response to Biologic Therapy in Skin of Colour Participants With Moderate-to-Severe Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review.

There has been a call to action to enhance representation of non-white individuals in dermatology clinical trials. Investigations in differential response to treatment across populations are limited, particularly in conditions of commonality, impact, distinct presentation, and diagnosis in non-white participants, such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. This systematic review summarized and identified if biologic treatment outcomes in moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis and psoriasis varied in skin of colour (SOC) participants in phase 3 trials. MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and EMBASE databases were used to conduct the search following PROSPERO registration. Following screening of 3209 articles, 11 studies were collected with 1781 SOC participants with a mean age of 40.99 ± 6.3 years (range: 30.6-51.6 years). Male participants accounted for 76.9% (n = 1370/1781) of the sample, and Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Korean participants accounted for 64.3%, 24.2%, 4.5%, and 3.4% of participants, respectively. Participants with atopic dermatitis were treated with dupilumab (n = 216/388) and participants with psoriasis were treated with adalimumab (n = 313/1393), bimekizumab (n = 62/1393), ixekizumab (n = 13/1393), secukinumab (n = 117/1393), and ustekinumab (n = 289/1393). No significant SOC population-based outcomes were found across treatment groups. However, differences in baseline characteristics or comorbidities were found, suggesting race or ethnic background should be considered when treatment is prescribed in psoriasis or atopic dermatitis. Although no significant SOC participant differential response to treatment were found, large-scale randomized controlled trials investigating comparable treatment outcomes and stratifying results by SOC population in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are warranted to confirm these findings.

Biologic Use in Pediatric Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: There is currently at least 1 biologic (adalimumab) approved in North America for treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the pediatric population. However, no reviews or clinical trials have specifically analyzed the effectiveness and safety data of biologic use in this population. The objective of this systematic review is to identify and summarize the outcomes of biologic therapy in pediatric patients with HS. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were used to conduct the search on Sept 18, 2020. RESULTS: The 15 included studies consisted of 26 patients, with the mean age of 15 ± 2.3 years. Females accounted for 53.8% (n = 14/26) of cases. The mean duration of HS prior to biologic initiation was 3.5 ± 2.9 years, with the majority having Hurley Stage II. The 26 patients received 34 biologics in total: 85.3% treated with TNF alpha inhibitors (adalimumab n = 17, infliximab n = 10, etanercept n = 1, unspecified n = 1), 5.9% with IL-12/23 inhibitors (ustekinumab n = 2), 5.9% with IL-1 inhibitors (i.e., anakinra n = 2) and 2.9% received IL-23 inhibitors (i.e., guselkumab n = 1) biologics. Of the 26 patients, 23.1% (n = 6/26) experienced complete resolution (CR), 73.1% (n = 19/26) experienced partial resolution (PR), and 3.8% (n = 1/26) had no resolution outcomes reported. The time to resolution of HS lesions after biologic initiation ranged from 10 days to 11.5 months (mean: 5.1 months). No adverse events were reported in the studies. CONCLUSION: Although anti-TNF alpha were the most common biologics used for HS in pediatric cases, large-scale trials specific to pediatric patients with HS are needed to confirm these findings.

Onset of Pyoderma Gangrenosum in Patients on Biologic Therapies: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize clinical outcomes of paradoxical pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) onset in patients on biologic therapy. METHODS: The authors conducted MEDLINE and EMBASE searches using PRISMA guidelines to include 57 patients (23 reports). RESULTS: Of the included patients, 71.9% (n = 41/57) noted PG onset after initiating rituximab, 21.1% (n = 12/57) noted tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) inhibitors, 5.3% (n = 3/57) reported interleukin 17A inhibitors, and 1.8% (n = 1/57) reported cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 antibodies. The majority of patients (94.3%) discontinued biologic use. The most common medications used to resolve rituximab-associated PG were intravenous immunoglobulins, oral corticosteroids, and antibiotics, with an average resolution time of 3.3 months. Complete resolution of PG in TNF-α-associated cases occurred within an average of 2.2 months after switching to another TNF-α inhibitor (n = 1), an interleukin 12/23 inhibitor (n = 2), or treatment with systemic corticosteroids and cyclosporine (n = 3), systemic corticosteroids alone (n = 1), or cyclosporine alone (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Further investigations are warranted to determine whether PG onset is associated with underlying comorbidities, the use of biologic agents, or a synergistic effect. Nevertheless, PG may develop in patients on rituximab or TNF-α inhibitors, suggesting the need to monitor and treat such adverse effects.

A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Safety of Monotherapy and Combination Therapy With Biologic for Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

BACKGROUND: Biologic drugs have the potential to halt the progression of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) by decreasing concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, a cytokine implicated in epithelial cell death. The objective of this systematic review is to investigate the efficacy and safety of biologic monotherapy and combination therapy for SJS/TEN. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE in OVID were searched on October 28, 2020. Inclusion criteria were original studies containing human participants diagnosed with SJS/TEN and treated with biologics. Studies were excluded if they were literature reviews, systematic reviews, letters to the editor, or conference abstracts. RESULTS: The 38 articles reviewed included 27 (71.1%) case reports, 6 (15.8%) case series, 3 (7.9%) retrospective reviews, and 2 (5.3%) RCTs. The age range of the included studies was 2 to 85 years, the mean age was 46.4 years. The mean body surface (BSA) across the 38 included articles was 31.0%. The average actual mortality reported within the 38 included articles was 9.2%. Both biologic monotherapy and combination therapy were associated with improved outcomes in SJS/TEN. Furthermore, anti TNF-alpha therapy, specifically etanercept, showed improved outcomes as monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, reviewed studies presented a strong case for biologic treatment, both monotherapy and combination use, in SJS/TEN treatment. Based on the number of fatal adverse events observed, biologic monotherapy may be safer compared to combination therapy. Further research with a larger sample size and a randomized control trial design is required.

A Review of COVID-19 Chilblains-like Lesions and their Differential Diagnosis.

GENERAL PURPOSE: Forthcoming. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: Forthcoming. ABSTRACT: This review article focuses on the pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnostic testing of the common pathologies that can manifest as chilblains-like lesions. These differentials include COVID toes, Raynaud phenomenon, acrocyanosis, critical limb ischemia, thromboangiitis obliterans, chilblains associated with lupus erythematosus, and idiopathic chilblains. The authors present a helpful mnemonic, ARCTIC, to assist clinicians in recognition and diagnosis.

A Review of COVID-19 Chilblains-like Lesions and Their Differential Diagnoses.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To familiarize wound care practitioners with the differential diagnoses of chilblains-like lesions that could be associated with the complications of COVID-19. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant will:1. Identify the population most often affected by COVID toes.2. Select the assessments that help differentiate the various conditions that cause chilblains-like lesions.3. Choose appropriate treatment options for the various conditions that cause chilblains-like lesions.

This review article focuses on the pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnostic testing of the common pathologies that can manifest as chilblains-like lesions. These differentials include "COVID toes," Raynaud phenomenon, acrocyanosis, critical limb ischemia, thromboangiitis obliterans, chilblains associated with lupus erythematosus, and idiopathic chilblains. The authors present a helpful mnemonic, ARCTIC, to assist clinicians in recognition and diagnosis.

Hydroxychloroquine effects on psoriasis: A systematic review and a cautionary note for COVID-19 treatment.

BACKGROUND: While evidence suggests that hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) may decrease the viral load in patients with a COVID-19 infection, a number of case reports indicate adverse dermatologic effects of this potential treatment. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review of previously reported cases of psoriasis onset, exacerbation, or relapse after HCQ treatment. METHODS: Embase and MEDLINE were comprehensively searched for original studies examining adverse effects of HCQ treatment related to psoriasis. Participant demographics and details of HCQ administration and psoriasis diagnosis were extracted from 15 articles representing 18 patients. RESULTS: Women accounted for a significantly larger number of cases of psoriasis compared with men and unreported sex (14 [77.8%] vs 2 [11.1%] vs 2 [11.1%], respectively). In addition, 50% (n = 9) of the patients did not have a history of psoriasis before taking HCQ. Of the 18 patients, 9 (50.0%) experienced de novo psoriasis, 5 (27.8%) experienced exacerbation of psoriatic symptoms, and 4 (22.2%) had a relapse of psoriasis after HCQ administration. CONCLUSION: HCQ treatment may result in induction, exacerbation, or relapse of psoriasis. Monitoring for adverse effects of HCQ treatment is necessary, and clinical trials are essential in characterizing the safety profile of HCQ use in patients with a COVID-19 infection.

Long-Term Single Center Experience in Treating Plaque Psoriasis With Guselkumab.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trial data have shown guselkumab, an interleukin-23 inhibitor, to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of psoriasis. However, there is very little real-world experience using guselkumab in the community setting that has been documented. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to determine real-life outcomes of guselkumab use in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in a community dermatology practice. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of electronic medical records was conducted in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis who were prescribed guselkumab at a community dermatology office in Ontario, Canada. RESULTS: Of the 89 patients who received at least 1 dose of guselkumab, 79 had follow-up information at the time of review, with 71 patients receiving ongoing treatment. In our cohort of patients, 73.3% achieved clinically significant clearance of psoriasis with a global assessment of clear or almost clear defined as a body surface area involvement of <1%. Guselkumab was generally well tolerated and caused no serious adverse events. The most common reported side effects were nasopharyngitis, headaches, upper respiratory tract infections, gastrointestinal upset, and arthralgia. CONCLUSION: Overall, guselkumab was a safe and well-tolerated treatment with significant clinical improvement in our patient population.

A Brief History of Psoriasis Management in Canada.

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory disease with a varying degree of clinical presentations. Managing psoriasis has always been arduous due to its chronicity and its propensity to relapse. Prior to the development of targeted biologic therapies, there were few effective treatments for psoriasis. Ancient psoriasis therapies included pinetar, plant extracts, psychotherapy, arsenic, and ammoniated mercury. In the 19th century, chrysarobin was developed. Then, in the early half of the 20th century, anthralin and coal tar were in widespread use. In the latter half of the 20th century, treatments were limited to topical first-line therapies, systemic drugs, and phototherapy. However, as the treatment of psoriasis has undergone a revolutionary change with the development of novel biologic therapies, patients with moderate to severe psoriasis have been able to avail therapies with high efficacy and durability along with an acceptable safety profile. This article is a brief historical review of the management of psoriasis prior to the inception of biologics and with the development of novel biologic therapies.

Risankizumab, an IL-23p19 Inhibitor for Psoriasis: A Review of the Current Literature.

Psoriasis is a common, chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory disorder with significant skin manifestations and substantial burden on quality of life. Interleukin-23 is a key regulator of different effector cytokines and plays a cardinal role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The monoclonal antibody, risankizumab, inhibits this key cytokine and thus prevents the downstream inflammatory cascade. This article aims to review our current understanding of risankizumab through the analysis of the various clinical trials.

Associations Among Skin Surface pH, Temperature, and Bacterial Burden in Wounds.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To present a cross-sectional cohort study conducted to assess the association between wound pH, local infection, and deep/surrounding infection. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1. Synthesize the background information associated with the study assessing the association between wound pH, local infection, and deep/surrounding infection.2. Summarize the results of the study presented here. ABSTRACT: BACKGROUNDWounds with a higher pH often demonstrate lower rates of healing. Local and deep/surrounding infection can be diagnosed with the validated NERDS and STONEES clinical signs, respectively. This study assessed the association between wound pH, local infection, and deep/surrounding infection. METHODS: A 100-patient prospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted with leg and foot wounds. Wound pH was measured using pH indicator strips. The wounds were assessed for clinical signs of local or deep/surrounding infection with the NERDS and STONEES criteria, respectively. Temperature measurements were documented with a handheld infrared skin thermometry device at the wound/periwound site, the equivalent site on the opposite side of the same leg/foot, and the wound mirror image site on the opposite leg/foot. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean wound bed pH in patients with superficial critical colonization and those without (P = .837). The wound and periwound maximum temperature measurements were compared with an equivalent temperature on the mirror image on the opposite leg. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean temperature (ΔT) value between patients with deep/surrounding wound infection and three or more positive STONEES criteria (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Nontouch infrared thermometry comparing maximum mirror image wound temperatures versus the opposite extremities when combined with two or more other STONEES criteria is a significant indicator of deep and surrounding infection. Surface wound bed pH indicator strip measurements do not correlate with local wound infection using the NERDS criteria.

Wounds with a higher pH often demonstrate lower rates of healing. Local and deep/surrounding infection can be diagnosed with the validated NERDS and STONEES clinical signs, respectively. This study assessed the association between wound pH, local infection, and deep/surrounding infection. A 100-patient prospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted with leg and foot wounds. Wound pH was measured using pH indicator strips. The wounds were assessed for clinical signs of local or deep/surrounding infection with the NERDS and STONEES criteria, respectively. Temperature measurements were documented with a handheld infrared skin thermometry device at the wound/periwound site, the equivalent site on the opposite side of the same leg/foot, and the wound mirror image site on the opposite leg/foot. There was no significant difference in the mean wound bed pH in patients with superficial critical colonization and those without (P = .837). The wound and periwound maximum temperature measurements were compared with an equivalent temperature on the mirror image on the opposite leg. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean temperature (ΔT) value between patients with deep/surrounding wound infection and three or more positive STONEES criteria (P = .002). Nontouch infrared thermometry comparing maximum mirror image wound temperatures versus the opposite extremities when combined with two or more other STONEES criteria is a significant indicator of deep and surrounding infection. Surface wound bed pH indicator strip measurements do not correlate with local wound infection using the NERDS criteria.

Approaches to Microthrombotic Wounds: A Review of Pathogenesis and Clinical Features.

GENERAL PURPOSE: To discuss the pathogenesis and clinical features of wounds caused by microthrombi formation under the following categories of systemic diseases: cold-related and immune-complex deposition diseases, coagulopathies, abnormalities in red blood cell structure, emboli, and vasospasm. TARGET AUDIENCE: This continuing education activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care. LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES: After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:1. Recall the etiology, risk factors, and pathophysiology of the various types of microthrombotic wounds.2. Describe the clinical manifestations and treatment of the various types of microthrombotic wounds. ABSTRACT: Typical wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure ulcers, and arterial ulcers are responsible for more than 70% of chronic wounds. Atypical wounds have broad differential diagnoses and can sometimes develop as a combination of different conditions. Regardless of the etiology, impaired blood circulation is characteristic of all chronic and acute wounds. Chronic wounds associated with microthrombi formation are an important group of atypical wounds commonly linked to an underlying systemic disease. In this perspective article, the pathogenesis and clinical features of wounds caused by microthrombi formation are discussed under the following categories of systemic diseases: cold-related and immune-complex deposition diseases, coagulopathies, abnormalities in red blood cell structure, emboli, and vasospasm.