Psoriatic Arthritis: A Comprehensive Review for the Dermatologist. Part II: Screening and Management.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a common comorbidity of psoriasis occurring in up to a third of patients. Dermatologists hold an essential role in screening patients with psoriasis for PsA, since as many as 85% of patients develop psoriasis before PsA. Early detection and treatment of PsA are important for both short and long-term patient outcomes and quality of life. Many factors must be weighed when selecting the appropriate therapy for PsA. One must consider the 'domains of disease' that are manifested, the disease severity, patient comorbidities, patient preferences (routes of dosing or frequency, as examples) as well as factors often outside of patient-physician control, such as access to medications based on insurance coverage and formularies. As many patients will have involvement of multiple domains of psoriatic disease, selecting the therapy that best captures the patient's disease is required. In this review, we will address PsA screening, diagnosis, therapeutic approach to psoriatic disease, comorbidity considerations and co-management.

Psoriatic Arthritis: A comprehensive review for the dermatologist Part I: Epidemiology, Comorbidities, Pathogenesis, and Diagnosis.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory seronegative arthritis strongly associated with psoriasis. Recognition of the clinical features of PsA is critical, as delayed detection and untreated disease may result in irreparable joint damage, impaired physical function, and a significantly reduced quality of life. Dermatologists are poised for the early detection of PsA, as psoriasis predates its development in as many as 80% of patients. In an effort to further acquaint dermatologists with PsA, this review provides a detailed overview, emphasizing its epidemiology, comorbidities, etiopathogenesis, and diagnostic features.

Mycosis Fungoides Palmaris et Plantaris Mimicking "Dyshidrotic Eczema": A Case Report.

Mycosis fungoides palmaris et plantaris (MFPP) is a rare variant of mycosis fungoides (MF), a type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. MFPP primarily affects the palms and soles of the feet and is often misdiagnosed as dyshidrotic eczema due to its similar clinical presentation. This case report presents a middle-aged woman with MFPP whose initial presentation was mistaken for dyshidrotic eczema. Despite treatment with topical corticosteroids, the patient's lesions persisted, prompting further investigations that led to the diagnosis of MFPP. The patient was initiated on betamethasone dipropionate ointment and hydroxyzine for pruritus management, with a pivotal referral to oncology for comprehensive evaluation. This case highlights the importance of considering MFPP in the differential diagnosis of persistent eczematous lesions on the palms and soles, especially when treatment with topical corticosteroids is ineffective. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(7):569-570.     doi:10.36849/JDD.8474.

Rural Health Disparities in Skin Cancer Amplified Among Skin of Color.

Limited studies explore the role social determinants of health have on urban-rural health disparities, particularly for Skin of Color. To further evaluate this relationship, a cross-sectional study was conducted on data from five states using the 2018 to 2021 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a national state-run health survey. Prevalence of skin cancer history and urban/rural status were evaluated across these social determinants of health: sex, age, race, insurance status, number of personal healthcare providers, and household income. Overall, rural counterparts were significantly more likely to have a positive skin cancer history across most social determinants of health. Rural populations had a higher prevalence of skin cancer history across all races (P<.001). Rural non-Hispanic Whites had greater odds than their urban counterparts (OR=1.40; 95% CI 1.34 - 1.46). The odds were approximately twice as high for rural Black (OR=1.74; 95% CI 1.14 - 2.65), Hispanic (OR=2.31; 95% CI 1.56 - 3.41), and Other Race, non-Hispanic (OR=1.99; 95% CI 1.51 - 2.61), and twenty times higher for Asians (OR=20.46; 95% CI 8.63 - 48.54), although no significant difference was seen for American Indian/Alaskan Native (OR=1.5; 95% CI 0.99 - 2.28). However, when household income exceeded $100,000 no significant difference in prevalence or odds was seen between urban and rural settings. Despite increasing awareness of metropolitan-based health inequity, urban-rural disparities in skin cancer prevalence continue to persist and may be magnified by social determinants such as income and race. J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(6):480-484.    doi:10.36849/JDD.8094.

The distribution of industry payments among pediatric dermatologists from 2015 to 2021.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To understand the landscape of industry payments to pediatric dermatologists to foster transparency and identify potential disparities in funding. METHODS: Using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments database, a national cross-sectional study was performed examining payments to pediatric dermatologists from 2015 to 2021. RESULTS: Of the 147 pediatric dermatologists who received industry funding, 35 were male and 112 were female. $9 million in payments was amassed, with 10% of pediatric dermatologists accounting for 94% of total industry payments. Consulting was the most common service, with Pfizer Inc., Amgen Inc., and Regeneron Healthcare Solutions Inc. representing the top three companies. Mean payment was $143,836 for males and $35,943 for females (p < .001). Eight female and seven male pediatric dermatologists received payments in the top 10th percentile, with different average payment in this subgroup (females $447,588 vs. males $698,746, p = .03). 11 states did not have a pediatric dermatologist receiving industry payments, while California (19) and Texas (12) had the most. CONCLUSIONS: There are approximately 400 board-certified pediatric dermatologists in the United States and fewer than 40% are receiving monetary compensation from private industry. A fraction of physicians accounted for a majority of total industry payments and industry payments to male pediatric dermatologists were higher despite nearly triple the number of female pediatric dermatologists. With the rise of valuable partnerships between healthcare and industry in modern medicine, the implications of geographic, gender, and financial disparity of industry payments in pediatric dermatology are worthy of further study.

Targeted therapies for psoriatic arthritis: an update for the dermatologist.

Dermatologists are on the front line to identify psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in their patients with psoriasis. PsA is a prevalent and underdiagnosed disease with potential long-term complications and sequelae for patients. Targeted biologics have transformed the landscape of psoriasis and PsA therapy. These medications variably treat clinical manifestations of psoriatic disease: skin psoriasis, peripheral and axial arthritis, enthesitis, and nail disease. With many new medications either on the market or currently being evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, the purpose of this article is to review PsA for the dermatologist, to identify the current therapies that are available, and to help select which patients may benefit from these medications. Overall, it is important to decide therapy for patients based on the active domains of their disease, their comorbidities, and the safety profiles of these medications, as well as patient preference for route of administration, frequency, and tolerability.

Development of classification criteria for discoid lupus erythematosus: Results of a Delphi exercise.

BACKGROUND: No classification criteria currently exist for discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), which has led to problematic heterogeneity in both observational and interventional research efforts. OBJECTIVES: We sought to develop DLE classification criteria based on consensus of international expert opinion of relevant stakeholders in the field. METHODS: Using a Delphi consensus process and nominal group techniques, potential items for classification criteria were generated. Experts ranked items in terms of their appropriateness and ability to discriminate DLE from other diagnoses, and items were subsequently eliminated using consensus exercises. RESULTS: A final list of 12 clinical and histopathologic items was generated for potential inclusion into a set of DLE classification criteria through a formal ongoing validation process. LIMITATIONS: The participants are predominantly composed of DLE experts in North America and Europe. CONCLUSION: This work represents a key step toward the development of formal DLE classification criteria.

The International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) Initiative: A Review and Update.

The International Dermatology Outcome Measures (IDEOM) group, comprising patients, physicians, health economists, industry partners, payers, and regulatory agencies, was established to develop unified and validated patient-centered outcome measures in dermatology in response to increasing demand to quantify effectiveness of treatments and performance outcomes among providers. IDEOM has chosen to start with psoriasis outcome measures, and then apply its methodology to other dermatologic diseases. In this paper, we review the background and progress to date of IDEOM, including an update of IDEOM activities as of our 2016 meeting in Washington DC, USA. Briefly, the progress-to-date of a Delphi process to create outcome measures for psoriasis was reviewed, including preliminary data from the first round of Delphi voting. Updates were also heard from industry partners including the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Furthermore, plans to establish outcome measures for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) were discussed.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(2):119-124.

Participation in physical activity in patients 1-4 years post total joint replacement in the Dominican Republic.

BACKGROUND: To address both the growing burden of joint disease and the gaps in medical access in developing nations, medical relief organizations have begun to launch programs to perform total joint replacement (TJR) on resident populations in developing countries. One outcome of TJR of particular interest is physical activity (PA) since it is strongly linked to general health. This study evaluates the amount of postoperative participation in PA in low-income patients who received total joint replacement in the Dominican Republic and identifies preoperative predictors of postoperative PA level. METHODS: We used the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) to assess participation in postoperative PA 1-4 years following total knee or hip replacement. We compared the amount of aerobic PA reported by postoperative TJR patients with the levels of PA recommended by the CDC and WHO. We also analyzed preoperative determinants of postoperative participation in aerobic PA in bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: 64 patients out of 170 eligible subjects (52/128 TKR and 14/42 THR) who received TJR between 2009-2012 returned for an annual follow-up visit in 2013, with a mean treatment-to-follow-up time of 2.1 years. 43.3% of respondents met CDC/WHO criteria for sufficient participation in aerobic PA. Multivariate analyses including data from 56 individuals identified that patients who were both younger than 65 and at least two years postoperative had an adjusted mean activity dimensions summary index (ADSI) 22.9 points higher than patients who were 65 or older and one year postoperative. Patients who lived with friends or family had adjusted mean ADSI 17.2 points higher than patients living alone. Patients who had the most optimistic preoperative expectations of outcome had adjusted mean ADSI scores that were 19.8 points higher than those who were less optimistic. CONCLUSION: The TJR patients in the Dominican cohort participate in less PA than recommended by the CDC/WHO. Additionally, several associations were identified that potentially affect PA in this population; specifically, participants who are older than 65, recently postoperative, less optimistic about postoperative outcomes and who live alone participate in less PA.

Development and validation of a Spanish translation of the Yale activity questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Valid measures of physical activity are critical research tools. The objective of this study was to develop a Spanish translation of the Yale Physical Activity Survey, and to provide preliminary evidence of its validity in a population of Dominican patients with lower extremity arthritis. METHODS: A Dominican bilingual health care professional translated the Yale Physical Activity Survey (YPAS) from English to Spanish. Several Dominican adults reviewed the translation to ensure it was linguistically and culturally appropriate. The questionnaire was back-translated to English by a North American researcher who is fluent in Spanish. Discrepancies between the original and back-translated versions were resolved by the translator and back-translator. The Spanish translation was administered to 108 Dominican subjects with advanced hip or knee arthritis prior to (N = 44) or one to four years following (N = 64) total joint replacement. We assessed construct validity by examining the association of YPAS scores and measures of functional status and pain (WOMAC), quality of life (EQ-5D) and the number of painful lower extremity joints. RESULTS: A higher YPAS Part II Activity Dimensions Summary Index score had weak to modest correlations with worse function and quality of life as measured with the WOMAC function scale (r = 0.21, p = 0.03), SF-36 Physical Activity Scale (r = 0.29, p = 0.004) and EQ-5D (r = 0.34, p = 0.0007). Total minutes of vigorous activity and walking had weak to modest correlation with these measures (WOMAC Function Scale (r = 0.15, p = 0.15), SF-36 Physical Activity Scale (r = 0.21, p = 0.04) and EQ-5D utility (r = 0.24, p = 0.02)). Correlations between the YPAS Part I energy expenditure score and these measures were lower (WOMAC Function Scale (r = 0.07, p = 0.49), SF-36 Physical Activity Scale (r = 0.03, p = 0.74) and EQ-5D utility (r = 0.18, p = 0.07)). CONCLUSIONS: We have developed a new Spanish translation of the Yale Physical Activity Survey and provided evidence of convergent validity in a sample of Dominican patients prior to or 1-4 years following total joint replacement.

The state of artificial intelligence for systemic dermatoses: Background and applications for psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, and much more.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been steadily integrated into dermatology, with AI platforms already attempting to identify skin cancers and diagnose benign versus malignant lesions. Although not as widely known, AI programs have also been utilized as diagnostic and prognostic tools for dermatologic conditions with systemic or extracutaneous involvement, especially for diseases with autoimmune etiologies. We have provided a primer on commonly used AI platforms and the practical applicability of these algorithms in dealing with psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, and dermatomyositis as a microcosm for future directions in the field. With a rapidly changing landscape in dermatology and medicine as a whole, AI could be a versatile tool to support clinicians and enhance access to care.