ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To provide a formal statistical comparison of the efficacy of melanoma detection among different clinical settings. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of all relevant observational studies on number needed to treat (NNT) in relation to melanoma was performed in MEDLINE. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis and reported NNTs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The subgroup analysis was related to clinical setting. RESULTS: In all, 29 articles including a total of 398,549 biopsies/excisions were analyzed. The overall NNT was 9.71 (95% CI, 7.72-12.29): 22.62 (95% CI, 12.95-40.10) for primary care, 9.60 (95% CI, 6.97-13.41) for dermatology, and 5.85 (95% CI, 4.24-8.27) for pigmented lesion specialists. LIMITATIONS: There is heterogeneity in data reporting and the possibility of missing studies. In addition, the incidence of melanoma varies among clinical settings, which could affect NNT calculations. CONCLUSION: Pigmented lesion specialists have the lowest NNT, followed by dermatologists, suggesting that involving specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of pigmented skin lesions can likely improve patient outcomes.
Subject(s)
Melanoma/epidemiology , Melanoma/surgery , Mohs Surgery/statistics & numerical data , Skin Neoplasms/epidemiology , Skin Neoplasms/surgery , Academic Medical Centers , Biopsy, Needle , Dermatologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Dermatologic Surgical Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Dermatologists/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Incidence , Male , Melanoma/diagnosis , Mohs Surgery/methods , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Treatment Outcome , United StatesABSTRACT
Eccrine chromhidrosis can occur secondary to hyperbilirubinemia. We report an adolescent with sickle cell disease who presented with eccrine chromhidrosis on his palmar and plantar surfaces. He had extremely high levels of conjugated bilirubin but no fever. This is the youngest known reported patient with eccrine chromhidrosis and the first in a patient with sickle cell disease.
Subject(s)
Anemia, Sickle Cell/complications , Hyperbilirubinemia/complications , Sweat Gland Diseases/etiology , Adolescent , Bilirubin/blood , Dermoscopy , Humans , Skin Pigmentation , Sweat Gland Diseases/diagnosis , Sweat Glands/pathologyABSTRACT
Dabigatran etexilate is a direct thrombin inhibitor that has been in clinical use for the prevention and treatment of venous and arterial thrombosis. Dabigatran allows for oral administration, has a rapid onset of action and has a predictable anticoagulant effect. Studies in healthy volunteers and in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery indicate that dabigatran has a predictable pharmacokinetic profile, allowing for a fixed-dose regimen without the need for coagulation monitoring. Dabigatran is approved in the EU and Canada for prophylaxis of thromboembolism in patients undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasties. The focus of this article is on the clinical data of using dabigatran as venous thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgery patients.
