Effect of Skin Type on Efficacy of Laser Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review of the Literature.

The use of low-light laser therapy to treat androgenetic alopecia is a promising modality to restore hair growth. However, the effect of skin color on response to laser therapy for hair growth has not been systematically explored in the literature. The objective of this study is to systematically assess through a comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE database whether skin type data were collected in clinical trials and analyzed in each study and determine if we can estimate an effect. 10/22 studies have defined inclusion criteria as Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. No studies mentioned effects on darker skin types, Fitzpatrick skin types V-VI. Only 5/10 studies had statistical data on efficacy depending on Fitzpatrick skin type, with four showing no effect and one showing a significant positive effect with darker skin types having faster rate of hair growth. There are not enough data to conclude whether skin type effects laser-induced hair growth in androgenic alopecia. The studies are severely lacking in sample size. One showed a potential effect. Importantly, there are no data on black or brown skin colors. Development of optimal laser irradiating wparameters through the prediction of personalized absorbance based on skin color measurement is needed.

Gender Differences in Clinical Practice and Medicare Reimbursement Among Mohs Surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Medicare reimbursement and clinical activity between male and female dermatologic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment data from 2018 was performed for all dermatologists performing MMS. Provider gender, place of service, number of services, and average payment per service was recorded for all relevant procedure codes. RESULTS: Women represented 31.5% of the 2,581 surgeons who performed MMS in 2018. Women were paid significantly less than men (mean difference, -$73,033). On average, women performed 123 fewer cases than their male counterparts. When surgeons were stratified by productivity, remuneration was the same. CONCLUSION: Remuneration from CMS was disparate between male and female dermatologic surgeons, which may be attributed to submission of fewer charges by women. Further efforts are necessary to better evaluate and address causes for this discrepancy, because greater parity of opportunity and pay would greatly benefit this subspecialty of dermatology.

Teledermatology and Skin of Color Patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic popularized telemedicine for many medical systems around the world. Although it came with many advantages for some individuals, it created challenges for other populations, particularly patients with skin of color and minority populations (largely comprised of patients with skin of color). The social determinants of health (SODH) are defined as individuals' living, working, and learning circumstances that can affect their health and quality of life.

Large, linear pigmentation anomaly: an unusual dyspigmentation case.

Segmental pigmentation anomalies can be further divided into segmental pigmentation disorder (SPD) complex and café-au-lait macules (CALMs). Both are congenital skin conditions characterized by hyper- or hypopigmentation. Segmental pigmentation disorder is a rare entity, whereas CALMs are common skin lesions that may be associated with various genetic conditions, especially when several are present and the patient has other indicators of a genetic abnormality. When the CALM is segmental, segmental neurofibromatosis (type V) may be considered in the differential diagnosis. Herein we present a 48-year-old woman with a history of malignant melanoma who presented with a large, linear, hyperpigmented patch on her shoulder and arm, present since around birth. The differential diagnosis consisted of CALM versus hypermelanosis (a subtype of SPD). Given a family history of a similar lesion, in addition to a personal and family history of melanoma and internal cancers, a hereditary cancer panel was completed demonstrating genetic variance of uncertain significance. This case brings attention to a rare dyspigmentation disorder and questions a possible association with melanoma.

Dermatologic Care of Hair in Transgender Patients: A Systematic Review of Literature.

Transgender patients on masculinizing and feminizing hormonal therapy undergo myriad physical and psychologic changes. Dermatologists are uniquely qualified to guide patients in the gender-affirming process, especially as it relates to hair. Given the paucity of literature guiding dermatologists in this process, a systematic review was performed to better understand the physiologic changes of hair in patients on masculinizing and feminizing hormonal therapy as well as the variety of treatment options that exist to help transgender patients to attain their desired hair growth pattern. This review reports findings and treatment options supported by the performed literature review as well as treatment recommendations based on the authors' own experiences treating this unique patient population.

Characterizing the role of dermatologists in developing artificial intelligence for assessment of skin cancer.

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for skin cancer assessment has been an emerging topic in dermatology. Leadership of dermatologists is necessary in defining how these technologies fit into clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the evolution of AI in skin cancer assessment and characterize the involvement of dermatologists in developing these technologies. METHODS: An electronic literature search was performed using PubMed by searching machine learning or artificial intelligence combined with skin cancer or melanoma. Articles were included if they used AI for screening and diagnosis of skin cancer using data sets consisting of dermoscopic images or photographs of gross lesions. RESULTS: Fifty-one articles were included, and 41% of these had dermatologists included as authors. Articles that included dermatologists described algorithms built with more images versus articles that did not include dermatologists (mean, 12,111 vs 660 images, respectively). In terms of underlying technology, AI used for skin cancer assessment has followed trends in the field of image recognition. LIMITATIONS: This review focused on models described in the medical literature and did not account for those described elsewhere. CONCLUSIONS: Greater involvement of dermatologists is needed in thinking through issues in data collection, data set biases, and applications of technology. Dermatologists can provide access to large, diverse data sets that are increasingly important for building these models.

Sexual dysfunction in men taking systemic dermatologic medication: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Prescription medications are among the most common causes of sexual dysfunction, and patients are often hesitant to seek help when experiencing these symptoms. OBJECTIVE: In this review, we identify the available evidence of sexual adverse effects in men using systemic dermatologic medications and suggest screening protocols and actions that may improve a patient's symptoms where possible. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of all articles in the PubMed database published from the time of inception to May 2018 to identify studies evaluating the use of systemic dermatologic medications in men with evidence of sexual adverse effects. Subsequently, a secondary in-depth literature review was performed for each individual medication. RESULTS: There were 5497 articles reviewed in the primary systematic review, and 59 articles covering 11 systemic dermatologic medications met inclusion criteria. We identified level 1 evidence for sexual adverse effects as a primary outcome in patients taking finasteride. LIMITATIONS: Many included studies were limited by sample size and methodology. CONCLUSION: The information in this review may serve as a reference of adverse effects when deciding on a therapeutic agent and a guide to help identify patients to screen for sexual dysfunction.

Analysis of spin in the reporting of studies of topical treatments of photoaged skin.

BACKGROUND: Spin-reporting that distorts the interpretation of results-is not unusual within scientific literature. OBJECTIVE: To appraise strategies of spin among placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trials of topical treatments for photoaged skin. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trials of topical treatments for photoaged skin. A survey of spin strategies was developed and applied to the cohort of identified studies. RESULTS: The systematic review led to the identification of 20 studies in which various types of spin strategies, broadly classified as either inappropriate statistical analyses or inappropriate interpretation of results, were used. The most commonly used strategies included use of multiple primary outcomes (95%), inappropriate extrapolation of results from specific outcomes to global improvements (95%), focus on within-group comparisons (75%), and focus on interim analyses to give more weight to nonsignificant findings (65%). LIMITATIONS: Classification of spin strategies was subjective and might not encompass all the methods used in the published literature. CONCLUSION: Findings in this study inform efforts to reduce spin in the dermatologic literature.

Platelet rich plasma for photodamaged skin: A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Despite increasing popularity of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating aging facial skin, the quality of evidence supporting its use is poor due to the lack of consistent methods of its preparation and application. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction with a single PRP treatment prepared with a simplified preparation and application technique. METHODS: Four millilitre of PRP were injected into 6 standardized points on each side of the face. Outcomes were assessed by independent physician evaluation of pretreatment and posttreatment photographs using the Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale (WSRS) and Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). In addition, patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the FACE-Q. RESULTS: Thirty-one participants ranging from 27 to 71 years of age (median, 38; IQR 32-58) were recruited for this study. Posttreatment WSRS scores improved in only 1 patient; the GAIS scores of 14 patients indicated aesthetic improvement. Analysis of FACE-Q scores revealed statistically significant increases in participant satisfaction with overall facial appearance and cheeks. The most frequently reported adverse effects were tenderness (23.4%; 7 of 31), facial tightness (20.0%; 6 of 31), and swelling (20.0%; 6 of 31). CONCLUSIONS: A simple method of PRP preparation offers modest benefit in treating the effects of skin aging and photodamage. Future research studies should alter our methods using a stepwise approach to optimize the treatment of aging facial skin with PRP.

Assessing Quality of Life and Patient-Reported Satisfaction with Masculinizing Top Surgery: A Mixed-Methods Descriptive Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Masculinizing top surgery (bilateral mastectomy with chest wall reconstruction) is an important gender-affirming procedure sought by many transmasculine and nonbinary individuals. Current literature is focused primarily on details of surgical technique and complication rates, with limited data available on how top surgery affects subjective quality-of-life measures. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was distributed to 81 of the senior author's former top-surgery patients. The survey response rate was 72 percent (58 respondents). Responses were analyzed to investigate quality of life, sexual confidence, mental health, satisfaction with top surgery, and patient attitudes toward top surgery's role in gender affirmation. RESULTS: Following top surgery, measures of quality of life and sexual confidence improved significantly (p < 0.001). In addition, 86 percent reported improvement in gender dysphoria-related mental health conditions. All but one respondent reported that top surgery had an overall positive impact on their life. CONCLUSIONS: Top surgery had major positive effects on all mental health and quality-of-life metrics. The authors' findings contribute to a much-needed body of evidence that top surgery markedly improves the daily lives and functioning of transgender and nonbinary individuals who choose to undergo it.

Flap Reconstruction of Sarcoma Defects in the Setting of Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Radiation.

BACKGROUND: Limb-sparing treatment of extremity soft tissue sarcomas requires wide resections and radiation therapy. The resulting complex composite defects necessitate reconstructions using either muscle or fasciocutaneous flaps, often in irradiated wound beds. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of all limb-sparing soft tissue sarcoma resections requiring immediate flap reconstruction from 2012 through 2016. RESULTS: Forty-four patients with 51 flaps were identified: 25 fasciocutaneous and 26 muscle-based flaps. Mean defect size, radiation treatment, and follow-up length were similar between groups. More often, muscle-based flaps were performed in younger patients and in the lower extremity. Seventeen flaps were exposed to neoadjuvant radiation, 12 to adjuvant radiation, 5 to both, and 17 to no radiation therapy. Regardless of radiation treatment, complication rates were comparable, with 28% in fasciocutaneous and 31% in muscle-based groups (p < 0.775). Muscle-based flaps performed within 6 weeks of undergoing radiotherapy were less likely to result in complications than those performed after greater than 6 weeks (p < 0.048). At time of follow-up, Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores for fasciocutaneous and muscle-based reconstructions, with or without radiation, showed no significant differences between groups (mean [SD]: 91% [8%] vs. 89% [13%]). CONCLUSION: The similar complication rates and functional outcomes in this study support the safety and efficacy of both fasciocutaneous flaps and muscle-based flaps in reconstructing limb-sparing sarcoma resection defects, with or without radiotherapy.