A nomogram based on clinical factors to predict calendar year readmission in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Readmission shortly after discharge is indicative of an increased disease severity for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and ineffectiveness to medical therapy, which may contribute to a dismal prognosis. Objectives: This study aimed to explore prognostic variables with a nomogram to predict unplanned UC-related readmission within 1 year after discharge. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: Electronic medical records of all UC patients treated at our center between 1 January 2014 and 31 June 2021 were reviewed. A comprehensive analysis of various characteristics, such as demographics, comorbidities, medical history, follow-up appointments, admission endoscopy, histopathologic features, etc., was used to determine the primary end point, which was unplanned UC-related calendar year readmission. Results: We found that the unplanned UC-related readmission rate within 1 year was 20.8%. In multivariable cox analysis, the predictors of the Elixhauser comorbidity index [Hazard ratio (HR): 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93-6.37], regular follow-up (HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.16-0.53), any history of corticosteroid use (HR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.83-6.27), seral level of C-reactive protein (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02), and the UC endoscopic index of severity (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.57) independently predicted calendar year readmission after discharge. The established nomogram had a consistently high accuracy in predicting calendar year readmission in the training cohort, with a concordance index of 0.784, 0.825, and 0.837 at 13, 26, and 52 weeks, respectively, which was validated in both the internal and external validation cohorts. Therefore, UC patients were divided into clinically low-, high-, and extremely high-risk groups for readmission, based on the calculated score of 272.5 and 378. Conclusion: The established nomogram showed good discrimination and calibration powers in predicting calendar year readmission in high-risk UC patients, who may need intensive treatment and regular outpatient visits.

Botanical Briefs: Primula obconica Dermatitis.

Primula obconica, a household plant originally found in China that was introduced in Europe in the 1880s, has been reported to cause plant-induced contact dermatitis (CD). The condition more commonly is reported in Europe and less frequently in the United States, where the plant is not commonly included in patch testing protocols. Clinical features of P obconica CD can include facial and hand as well as fingertip dermatitis. The main allergens known to cause these findings are primin and miconidin. Treatment of P obconica CD mainly involves avoiding contact with the plant and applying a topical steroid.

Hirsutism is associated with increased hospitalization for mental health disorders.

Hirsutism is a common condition characterized by excess hair growth and may lead to psychosocial distress and substantial mental health (MH) burden. These psychosocial manifestations may lead to MH emergencies and hospitalization. However, the prevalence and predictors of MH hospitalization associated with hirsutism are not well-understood. The objective of this study was to determine the likelihood and associations of MH hospitalization among females in the US with hirsutism. Data were analyzed from female inpatients in the 2005-2014 National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of US hospitalizations. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine the association of MH hospitalization and comorbidities with hirsutism diagnosis. Patients with hirsutism were more likely to also have a comorbid MH disorder, compared to those without hirsutism (49.5% vs 27.5%, odds ratio [95% CI]: 3.33 [3.14-3.54]), including higher odds of having 14 of the 15 MH disorders studied. Moreover, those with hirsutism had higher odds of hospitalization for a MH disorder in multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age, and insurance coverage (14.0% vs 3.6%, 3.84 [3.50-4.21]). The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) for a MH disorder was greater among inpatients with vs without hirsutism (12.8 vs 7.1 days, ß [95% CI]: 5.71 [4.24-7.18]). There were two-way interactions of hirsutism and MH hospitalization as predictors of longer LOS. Among female inpatients with hirsutism, MH hospitalization was associated with younger age, having health insurance, and longer LOS, and inversely associated with elective admission. In conclusion, female inpatients with hirsutism have higher odds of comorbid MH disorders and MH hospitalizations, with much longer LOS. Patients may benefit from increased access to outpatient follow-up, as poor disease control may contribute to worse MH outcomes and more frequent hospitalization.

Comparison of Safety and Outcomes between Endoscopic and Surgical Resections of Intermediate-Risk Primary Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The objective of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection with surgical resection in the treatment of intermediate-risk gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) and to further evaluate whether imatinib adjuvant treatment is necessary for resected intermediate-risk gastric GIST by ER. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 128 cases for intermediate-risk gastric GISTs that were distributed in endoscopic (n = 33) and surgical groups (n = 95) at our center between December 2009 to July 2020. We statistically compared the clinical features, pathological reports, perioperative data, and long-term follow-up outcomes. RESULTS: Compared with the surgery group, the endoscopy group was associated with smaller tumor size (2.4 ± 1.0 vs. 6.0 ± 1.7 cm, p < 0.001), shorter operating time (67.3 ± 36.5 vs. 145.9 ± 74.8 min, p < 0.001), fewer incidence of short-term postoperative complications (3% vs. 32.6%, p = 0.002). Shorter postoperative hospital days (4.5 ± 1.4 vs. 8.5 ± 2.4 days, p < 0.001), shorter gastric functional recovery time (p < 0.001), and a lower overall medical cost of hospitalization (p < 0.001) was detected in the endoscopy group. During the median 44.5 months follow-up period, there were no cases of recurrence, metastasis, and death in the endoscopy group. Among 128 patients, 68 accepted adjuvant therapy with imatinib after resection. It was observed that the OS of the adjuvant treatment group with imatinib was lower than that of the group without imatinib (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic resection for intermediate-risk gastric GIST is a feasible and safe method, and there is no significant benefit for patients with intermediate-risk gastric GIST to accept imatinib adjuvant treatment after ER.

Emojis and Emoticons in Health Care and Dermatology Communication: Narrative Review.

Background: Emoticons and emojis have become staple additions to modern-day communication. These graphical icons are now embedded in daily society through the various forms of popular social media and through users' personal electronic conversations. With ever-increasing use and inclusivity, exploration of the possible health care and dermatology applications of these tools is imperative. Objective: The goal of this narrative review was to provide and evaluate an up-to-date literature survey examining the utility of emoticons and emojis in medicine. Special attention was paid to their existing and potential uses in the field of dermatology, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A PubMed search of peer-reviewed publications was performed in mid-2021 to collect articles with emoticon or emoji keywords in combination with other health care-relevant or dermatology-relevant keywords. Screening of publications and described studies was performed by the authors with education and research experience in health care, dermatology, social media, and electronic communication trends. Selected articles were grouped based on common subjects for qualitative analysis and presentation for in-depth discussion. Results: From this extensive search, researchers were able to identify a wide variety of publications detailing the use of emoticons and emojis in general health care, pediatric health care, public health, and dermatology. Key subject areas that emerged from the investigation included the ability of emoticons and emojis to improve communication within pediatric health care, enhance mood and psychological assessment or mental health screening in adults, develop interventions to improve patient medication adherence, complement novel means of public health and COVID-19 surveillance, and bolster dermatology-specific applications. Conclusions: This review illuminated the repurposing of emojis and emoticons for a myriad of advantageous functions in health care and public health, with applications studied in many populations and situations. Dermatology-specific uses were relatively sparse in the literature, highlighting potential opportunities for growth in future studies and practices. The importance of diversity and inclusivity has extended to emojis, with the recent introduction of skin color customization and new emojis better representing the comprehensive spectrum of users' experiences. A continuously evolving and technology-driven population creates a unique niche for emoticons and emojis to ease worldwide communication and understanding, transcending the barriers of age, language, and background. We encourage future studies and innovations to better understand and expand their utility.

Imiquimod-induced hypertrophic lupus erythematosus-like reaction.

Imiquimod is a topical immunomodulator that acts as an inducer of interferon (IFN)-a expression through Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 signaling with indications for the treatment of non-hyperkeratotic actinic keratosis of the face or scalp, superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and external genital and perianal warts. Imiquimod is also used off-label for nodular BCC, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, pyogenic granuloma, and melanoma. Imiquimod-induced lupus-like reactions have been reported. However, hypertrophic lupus erythematosus (HLE) is a rare variant of cutaneous lupus and imiquimod-induced hypertrophic lupus has not been reported to date. We report a case of local induction of a plaque that resembled HLE clinically and histologically in an 82-year old woman following topical treatment with imiquimod.

Participation in Clinical Trials Among Academic Dermatologists Affiliated With Veterans Affairs Hospitals: Survey Study.

Background: Clinical trials have led to the development of new and effective therapies for many dermatologic conditions. To our knowledge, there is no published study that has quantified and described the degree of involvement in clinical trials among academic dermatologists and their university affiliates. Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the involvement of academic dermatology departments in clinical trials research. Methods: An online survey was sent to 211 Veterans Affairs (VA)-employed dermatologists. It comprised 20 questions related to the number of clinical trials, support staff dedicated to clinical research, skin diseases studied, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on conducting clinical research. Three rounds of survey invitations were sent over a 3-month period (March to May 2021). Data from all survey responses were reviewed for quantitative and descriptive analyses of the key outcome measures. Results: A total of 48 dermatologists completed the survey and provided their university affiliations and details of involvement in clinical trials research. Over half of participants (n=25, 58.1%) with a university affiliate reported that their affiliated dermatology department had a dedicated clinical trials unit. Basal cell carcinoma was the most frequently studied skin condition (n=9, 18.8%), followed by atopic dermatitis and psoriasis (n=4, 8.3% each); 66.7% of participants reported no current clinical trials participation. Of those conducting clinical trials, 87% (n=18) noted that COVID-19 was a barrier to conducting trials, with 52.2% (n=11) citing disrupted or decreased trials due to the pandemic. Conclusions: Although many dermatologists with university affiliations reported having a dedicated clinical trials unit at their institution, a majority of those surveyed reported not taking part in any active trials. Overall, the diseases investigated in academic clinical trials appear to follow national trends, though some of the top dermatological diseases are underrepresented in clinical trials research. A key limitation of our study was the low response rate (~23%) and that the survey responses from the sample of VA-based dermatologists may not be generalizable to all academic dermatology departments in the United States. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to play a significant role in disrupting active trials.

Association of mental health outcomes and lower patient satisfaction among adults with alopecia: A cross-sectional population-based study.

Background: Previous studies have found the increasing use of patient satisfaction scores by patients and insurance payers. Less is known about how patient mental health affects health care satisfaction. Objective: To examine the association between baseline mental health and health care satisfaction among adults with alopecia. Methods: We examined 543 adults with alopecia in the 2004-2016 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Mental health burden was assessed by the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) and 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ2). Patient satisfaction was determined using the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. Results: Adults with versus without alopecia had higher rates of positive PHQ2 (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI], 1.37 [1.05-1.78]); positive K6 (1.57 [1.02-2.41]), and comorbid anxiety (1.85 [1.30-2.63]) and depression (1.68 [1.19-2.39]). Positive PHQ2 (2.15 [1.13, 4.11]) and positive K6 (6.04 [2.60, 14.05]) were associated with low patient satisfaction. Whereas, there were no differences in the rates of low patient satisfaction associated with comorbid anxiety (0.74 [0.33-1.67]) and depression (1.42 [0.72-2.78]). Limitations: Data are unavailable on alopecia areata phenotypes and treatment. Conclusions: Adults with alopecia and greater mental health symptoms report lower patient satisfaction. Clinicians may wish to adapt their communication style to support these patients and improve overall health care satisfaction.

The prevalence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in a population of patients with oculocutaneous albinism in Haiti.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have examined the prevalence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) in patients with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). However, to date, no studies have examined this data in Caribbean populations. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study of 106 patients with OCA who were seen at the Oculocutaneous Albinism Clinic in Port-au-Prince and Gros Morne, Haiti, between the dates of February 2017 and June 2018. RESULTS: In our population, 31/106 (29%) patients were found to have NMSC, 10/31 (32%) had BCC, 12/31 (39%) had SCC, and 9/31 (29%) had both types of NMSC. The most common age groups were 31-40 years, with the overall range of ages being 18-63 years. Also, 60/106 (57%) of the patients had actinic keratoses (AK). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides new data examining the prevalence of NMSC within a population of patients with OCA in Haiti. Overall, it shows that patients with albinism develop NMSC at an earlier age compared with the rest of the population. Therefore, appropriate skin cancer screening and surveillance should be implemented within this high-risk population group.

Comparison of endoscopic full-thickness resection and cap-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection in the treatment of small (≤1.5 cm) gastric GI stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: With the increasing incidence of small GI stromal tumors (GISTs), endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) and cap-assisted EFTR (EFTR-C) have been suggested as 2 effective resection methods. We aimed to compare the outcomes of EFTR and EFTR-C for the treatment of small (≤1.5 cm) gastric GISTs. METHODS: This retrospective study included 67 patients who underwent EFTR and 46 patients who underwent EFTR-C at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Clinicopathologic features, adverse events (AEs), and outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Univariate and multivariate linear and logistic regressions were used to analyze the effects of the procedure on the therapeutic outcomes of patients and adjusted for covariates in the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The tumor size in the EFTR group tended to be larger (P = .005). The resection time in the EFTR-C group was shorter than that in the EFTR group (38.3 ± 20.7 minutes vs 15.0 ± 11.8 minutes, P < .001), which retained statistical significance with adjustment for the covariates (adjusted mean difference, 22.2; 95% confidence interval, 15.0-29.4; P < .001). The R0 resection rate of the EFTR group was 94.0% and of the EFTR-C group 97.8% (P = .355). The EFTR-C group was superior to the EFTR group in terms of perioperative therapeutic outcomes, AEs, and postoperative recovery. No recurrence occurred in the EFTR and EFTR-C groups. CONCLUSIONS: EFTR-C was found to be the preferable technique for small (≤1.5 cm) gastric GISTs with shorter operation times, lower AEs, faster postoperative recovery, and shorter hospitalization times as compared with EFTR.