Barriers to Care Among Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals With Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases in the US.

Importance: Research on the prevalence of barriers to care among sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases (CISDs) in the US is limited. Objective: To compare the prevalence of cost and noncost barriers to care among SGM and non-SGM patients with CISDs and to analyze the prevalence of barriers based on SGM status and race and ethnicity. Design, Setting, and Participants: A cross-sectional study of health care access and utilization survey data collected by the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program between May 31, 2017, and July 1, 2022, was conducted. Participants were adults aged 18 years or older with CISDs who enrolled in All of Us directly online or through partner health care practitioner organizations located across the US. Exposures: Chronic inflammatory skin diseases, sexual orientation and gender identity, and race and ethnicity. Main Outcome and Measures: The main outcome was the experience of cost and noncost barriers to health care among SGM patients with CISDs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association of SGM status with experiencing barriers to care. Results: This study included 19 743 patients with CISDs; 1877 were SGM patients (median age, 40.5 years [IQR, 28.7-57.9 years]; 1205 [64.2%] assigned female sex at birth) and 17 866 were non-SGM patients (median age, 57.1 years [IQR, 40.8-68.1 years]; 13 205 [73.9%] assigned female sex at birth). Compared with non-SGM patients, SGM patients with CISDs were significantly more likely to delay specialist care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.47), mental health care (AOR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.37-1.91), and filling a prescription (AOR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.52) because of cost. In addition, SGM patients with CISDs were significantly more likely than non-SGM patients to delay care because of transportation issues (AOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.22-1.80) and not having a health care practitioner who shares the same background with regard to race and ethnicity, religion, native language, sexual orientation, and gender identity (AOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.19-1.62). Sexual and gender minority patients with CISDs were also significantly more likely than non-SGM patients to report not always being treated with respect by their health care practitioners (AOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.30-1.65). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cross-sectional study of survey data suggest that SGM patients with CISDs may be disproportionately affected by cost and noncost barriers to health care. Dermatologists and other health care practitioners caring for SGM patients with CISDs have an important role in helping to address these barriers and larger systemic issues for SGM patients at both the patient and system levels.

Sun-protective behaviors and sunburn among US adults.

Individuals can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer by minimizing ultraviolet sunlight exposure, though recent trends in sun-protective behaviors remain to be investigated. To evaluate sun-protective behaviors and sunburn among US adults. We analyzed data from the 2010, 2015, and 2020 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), an annual, cross-sectional survey conducted by the US Census Bureau. Multivariable regression models were stratified by demographic variables and constructed to evaluate sun-protective behaviors and sunburn avoidance across time. From 2010 through 2020, US adults had significantly increased prevalence of seeking shade (p value, 0.003), wearing wide-brimmed hats (< 0.001), wearing long-sleeved shirts (< 0.001), using sunscreen (< 0.001), and avoiding sunburns (< 0.001) and significantly decreased prevalence of sun avoidance (< 0.001). Disparities in sun-protective behaviors also exist among different sexes, ages, education levels, and those reporting higher sun sensitivity. This cross-sectional study found that by 2020, US adults had an increased prevalence of wearing sun-protective clothing and sunscreen use, though decreased prevalence of sun avoidance. Although certain sun-protective behaviors have become more prevalent, the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise. Efforts to understand drivers of sun-protective behaviors and targeted intervention efforts are needed.

Risks and Benefits of Using Social Media in Dermatology: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study.

BACKGROUND: Dermatological information on social media is often presented by nondermatologists. Increasing the online engagement of trained dermatologists may improve information quality, patient education, and care. OBJECTIVE: Our study assesses dermatologists' perceptions of social media and patterns of use to identify barriers limiting engagement. METHODS: In our cohort study, a 36-item online survey was distributed to dermatologists in the United States; responses were captured on a 1-100 sliding scale. RESULTS: Of 166 initiated surveys, 128 valid responses were submitted. Dermatologists showed greater concern for social media risk-related issues (mean 77.9, SD 15.1) than potential benefits (mean 61.8, SD 16.4; P<.001). Leading concerns were poor patient care, nonevidence-based information, and breaching patient privacy. Benefits included interphysician collaboration, patient education, and public health awareness. The most avid and enthusiastic social media users were millennials (mean total optimism score 67.5, SD 14.9) and baby boomers (mean total optimism score 63.1, SD 11.2) compared with Generation X dermatologists (mean total optimism score 52.2, SD 16.3, P<.001). Of 128 dermatologists, 103 (82.4%) plan on increasing their social media use (P=.003). Predictors showing an intent to increase future social media use were younger age, integration into professional use, and an optimistic view (r2=.39; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Dermatologists perceive the risk of social media to be considerable but still intend to increase its use, likely recognizing the value and importance of social media to the field.

Camouflaging vitiligo using a spray tan.

Vitiligo is a depigmenting skin disorder that can cause significant patient distress. Treatment of vitiligo is challenging and should address patient's concern for cosmetic treatment. Herein, we report the case of a 60-year-old patient who achieved temporary improvement in pigmentation using a spray tan. Camouflaging vitiligo using a spray-tan is a reasonable, safe, and effective mechanism for management of vitiligo.

Teaching Lessons from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic in Telemedicine.

The Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.

An Overview of Penile and Scrotal Dermatoses.

There are a number of dermatoses that manifest in the genital region. Urologists are often the first point of contact for patients with such disorders. These can be isolated genital conditions or manifestations of a more widespread cutaneous disease. Though similar appearing, there are often key clinical findings that aid in in diagnosis. In general, genital dermatoses can be classified as physiologic variants, inflammatory, neoplastic, or infectious in etiology. This article provides a broad overview for urologists in addressing both common and rarer penile and scrotal dermatoses. Emphasis is placed on characteristic clinical findings to aid in diagnosis. Recommendations for diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and appropriate follow-up are discussed.