Surface anatomy in dermatology: Part I - Clinical importance, diagnostic utility, and impact on medical management.

This continuing medical education (CME) series reviews updated Delphi consensus surface anatomy terminology through the lens of common medical and procedural dermatology scenarios, helping to underscore high-yield points that can be readily integrated into clinical practice to support patient care. Part I of this series will discuss the current state of surface anatomy terminology in dermatology, outline implications of precise and consistent terminology, provide an illustrative overview of high-yield consensus terminology, highlight prominent landmarks that can aid in critical diagnoses, and relate the importance of precise terminology to medical management. Part II will draw upon consensus terminology to inform management of cutaneous malignancies and support optimal outcomes in dermatologic procedures.

Artificial intelligence in the detection of skin cancer.

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) in dermatology have demonstrated the potential to improve the accuracy of skin cancer detection. These capabilities may augment current diagnostic processes and improve the approach to the management of skin cancer. To explain this technology, we discuss fundamental terminology, potential benefits, and limitations of AI, and commercial applications relevant to dermatologists. A clear understanding of the technology may help to reduce physician concerns about AI and promote its use in the clinical setting. Ultimately, the development and validation of AI technologies, their approval by regulatory agencies, and widespread adoption by dermatologists and other clinicians may enhance patient care. Technology-augmented detection of skin cancer has the potential to improve quality of life, reduce health care costs by reducing unnecessary procedures, and promote greater access to high-quality skin assessment. Dermatologists play a critical role in the responsible development and deployment of AI capabilities applied to skin cancer.

Travel distance and time to dermatology clinical trial sites: a cross-sectional geospatial analysis.

Despite increasing calls for diversity in clinical trial recruitment, data are lacking regarding disparities in access to dermatologic clinical trials. The objective of this study was to characterize travel distance and time to reach a dermatology clinical trial site considering patient demographic and location characteristics. We determined travel distance and time from every census tract population center in the United States to the nearest dermatologic clinical trial site using ArcGIS and linked travel estimates to demographic characteristics in each census tract based on 2020 American Community Survey. Nationally, patients travel an average of 14.3 miles and 19.7 min to reach a dermatologic clinical trial site. Significantly shorter travel distance and time were observed for urban and Northeast residence, White and Asian race and private insurance relative to rural and Southern residence, Native American and Black race and public insurance (p < 0.001). These findings reveal disparate access regarding geographic region, rurality, race and insurance type, which may encourage investigators to allocate funding for travel assistance for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups to promote access and diversity in dermatologic clinical trials.

Differential patient travel distance and time to psoriasis clinical trial sites.

Considering the known disparities in racial representation in psoriasis clinical trials, this study sought to characterize travel distance and time to reach a psoriasis clinical trial site as a potential barrier to trial participation for multiple demographic and geographic variables. We determined travel distance and time from every census tract population center in the United States to the nearest psoriasis clinical trial site using ArcGIS and linked travel estimates to demographic characteristics in each census tract based on 2020 American Community Survey. The average distance and time traveled to reach a psoriasis clinical trial site nationally were 45.6 miles and 51.8 min, respectively. Urban residence and Northeast location had significantly lower travel distance and time relative to their geographic counterparts. Travel burden was significantly greater among Native American and Black races, individuals without college education and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries relative to their counterparts. These findings reveal disparate access regarding rurality, race, education and insurance type, which may encourage investigators to increase travel funding for underrepresented groups and diversity recruitment efforts to promote access to psoriasis clinical trials.

Chronic eyelid and ocular itch.

Chronic eyelid and ocular itch affect many patients seeking dermatologic or ophthalmologic care and have a high burden on patient quality of life. Clinicians should consider the broad range of possible diagnoses when approaching the patient with itch of the eyes or eyelids lasting more than 6 weeks. Allergic conjunctivitis and allergic contact dermatitis are the most common causes of chronic itch of the eyes and eyelids, respectively. Other diagnoses to consider include atopic dermatitis, xerosis, neurogenic itch, dry eye syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, blepharitis, rosacea, lichen simplex chronicus, and papulosquamous disorders. If no organic cause can be elucidated, diagnoses of psychogenic pruritus or chronic pruritus of unknown origin may be considered. Herein, we discuss the possible etiologies of chronic eyelid and ocular itch inclusive of clinical presentation, diagnostic considerations, and current therapies.

Travel Distance and Time to Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment for Port-Wine Birthmark in the Pediatric Population.

Prior research has demonstrated that early treatment of port-wine birthmark (PWB) with pulsed dye laser (PDL) yields optimal patient outcomes. Given the known variations in practice patterns among dermatologists offering PDL, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis in order to determine the travel distance and time to practice locations offering PDL therapy for PWB among the pediatric population. We determined the travel time and distance from each county population center in the United States to the nearest PDL site using ArcGIS and linked the data to demographic characteristics in each census tract. 1,243 practice sites were identified that offer PDL treatment for PWB for patients under the age of 18. Children living in urban areas were found to have a significantly shorter median travel time and distance to PDL sites (6.1 miles, 11.8 minutes) compared to children living in rural areas (60.9 miles, 66.7 minutes). Additionally, uninsured children were found to travel longer average distances (32.2 miles) than insured children (24.2 miles). These findings suggest that certain socioeconomically disadvantaged groups have increased travel burden when obtaining PDL treatment for PWB. Transportation resources and support may need to be given to certain patients to ensure timely and effective PDL treatment.

Disaster Preparedness in Dermatology Residency Programs.

Dermatology residency programs must be prepared to address the unpredictable but seemingly inevitable impacts of natural (eg, hurricanes) and manmade (eg, threats of violence) disasters as well as widespread infectious disease (eg, the COVID-19 pandemic). However, there is a paucity of literature regarding how residency programs should prepare for and respond to these types of disasters. From the equipment trainees utilize in clinic to the didactic education dermatology residents receive, preserving the means of clinical care delivery and mastery of core competencies in the face of unique and disastrous circumstances poses a great challenge to dermatology residency programs. Addressing disaster preparedness early may help to mitigate the short- and long-term impacts of such events, allowing for a more sustainable residency program.

Fate of abstracts from American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Annual Meetings.

OBJECTIVES: The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS) Annual Meeting provides a unique platform for the dissemination of research in laser and energy-based technologies, which are regularly utilized in cosmetic dermatology. We sought to elucidate the fate of the abstracts presented at ASLMS meetings over 3 years. METHODS: We conducted a literature search for all abstracts presented at ASLMS meetings in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to determine publication rate, latency to publication, and journals of publication. RESULTS: The publication rate of abstracts presented at the 2013, 2014, and 2015 ASLMS meetings was 50.3%, 49.1%, and 43.5%, respectively. Average latency to publication was 16.1 months across these three years. Publication outcomes differed across general discipline, abstract type, poster category, clinical focus, and study design. CONCLUSION: Our findings provide insight into the likelihood of publication, as well as potential contributing factors, for abstracts presented at ASLMS. With about half of all abstracts reaching publication, our study highlights the significant volume of research presented at this unique meeting that does not reach a broader audience through publication and thus is limited in its potential clinical applications in cosmetic dermatology.

Publication Outcomes of Abstracts Presented at American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting.

Objectives: As the most highly attended dermatology conference in the United States, the AAD Meeting plays an especially critical role in the dissemination of dermatologic research. We sought to address the paucity of data regarding the fate of abstracts presented at AAD meetings to better understand the likelihood of publication after presentation as well as what factors may influence publication outcomes.Materials and Methods: We conducted a literature search for each abstract presented in 2015 and 2016 to determine publication outcomes inclusive of latency to publication and journals represented.Results: We found that the majority of abstracts presented at AAD Meetings do not reach publication, with 44.7% and 43.5% reaching publication in 2015 and 2016, respectively. Abstracts are likely to be published within one year of presentation. Publication outcomes are stratified by abstract category and study design.Conclusion: There is considerable consistency in publication outcomes for abstracts presented at AAD Meetings for 2015 and 2016. Publication rates are comparable to other conferences in dermatology and other disciplines. These findings provide insight into the fate of the wealth of research presented at AAD meetings and what factors may influence an abstract being published.