Diaper dermatitis prevalence and severity: Global perspective on the impact of caregiver behavior.

OBJECTIVES: To compare prevalence and severity of diaper dermatitis (DD) in infants and toddlers (babies) across three countries (China, USA, and Germany), including diapered skin measures and caregiver practices. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 1791 babies (~600 from each country) was recruited at each clinical site. Based on regional toilet-training habits, exclusively diaper-wearing infants were recruited between ages 2-8 months in China and 2-18 months in the USA and Germany. DD was measured, as well as skin pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and relative humidity (RH) in the diapered region. Caregiver habits were collected via a questionnaire and included information on hygienic practices. RESULTS: Diaper dermatitis was highest in the perianal area, followed by the intertriginous, genital, and buttock regions. In general, DD was significantly lower in babies in China, highest in Germany, and intermediate in the USA. This rank ordering of DD by geography was also observed in baby age 2-8 months. The lower DD observed in China was associated with lower skin pH and TEWL on diapered skin and decreased RH in the diaper. Chinese caregivers had the highest rate of prophylactic topical product usage, the most robust cleaning of the diapered area, lack of cleansing after urine-only diaper changes, and Chinese infants spent the least time in an overnight diaper. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest caregiver behaviors including prophylactic use of topical products, thorough cleaning after stooling and reduced time in an overnight diaper are associated with less DD, lower superficial skin pH, and enhanced skin barrier.

Safety and Wound Outcomes Following Genetically Corrected Autologous Epidermal Grafts in Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Importance: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) is a devastating, often fatal, inherited blistering disorder caused by mutations in the COL7A1 gene encoding type VII collagen. Support and palliation are the only current therapies. Objective: To evaluate the safety and wound outcomes following genetically corrected autologous epidermal grafts in patients with RDEB. Design, Setting, and Participants: Single-center phase 1 clinical trial conducted in the United States of 4 patients with severe RDEB with a measured area of wounds suitable for grafting of at least 100 cm2. Patients with undetectable type VII collagen keratinocyte expression were excluded. Interventions: Autologous keratinocytes isolated from biopsy samples collected from 4 patients with RDEB were transduced with good manufacturing practice-grade retrovirus carrying full-length human COL7A1 and assembled into epidermal sheet grafts. Type VII collagen gene-corrected grafts (approximately 35 cm2) were transplanted onto 6 wounds in each of the patients (n = 24 grafts). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary safety outcomes were recombination competent retrovirus, cancer, and autoimmune reaction. Molecular correction was assessed as type VII collagen expression measured by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. Wound healing was assessed using serial photographs taken at 3, 6, and 12 months after grafting. Results: The 4 patients (mean age, 23 years [range, 18-32 years]) were all male with an estimated body surface area affected with RDEB of 4% to 30%. All 24 grafts were well tolerated without serious adverse events. Type VII collagen expression at the dermal-epidermal junction was demonstrated on the graft sites by immunofluorescence microscopy in 9 of 10 biopsy samples (90%) at 3 months, in 8 of 12 samples (66%) at 6 months, and in 5 of 12 samples (42%) at 12 months, including correct type VII collagen localization to anchoring fibrils. Wounds with recombinant type VII collagen graft sites displayed 75% or greater healing at 3 months (21 intact graft sites of 24 wound sites; 87%), 6 months (16/24; 67%), and 12 months (12/24; 50%) compared with baseline wound sites. Conclusions and Relevance: In this preliminary study of 4 patients with RDEB, there was wound healing in some type VII collagen gene-corrected grafts, but the response was variable among patients and among grafted sites and generally declined over 1 year. Long-term follow-up is necessary for these patients, and controlled trials are needed with a broader range of patients to better understand the potential long-term efficacy of genetically corrected autologous epidermal grafts. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01263379.

Transdermal Delivery of Functional Collagen Via Polyvinylpyrrolidone Microneedles.

Collagen makes up a large proportion of the human body, particularly the skin. As the body ages, collagen content decreases, resulting in wrinkled skin and decreased wound healing capabilities. This paper presents a method of delivering type I collagen into porcine and human skin utilizing a polyvinylpyrrolidone microneedle delivery system. The microneedle patches were made with concentrations of 1, 2, 4, and 8% type I collagen (w/w). Microneedle structures and the distribution of collagen were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. Patches were then applied on the porcine and human skin, and their effectiveness was examined using fluorescence microscopy. The results illustrate that this microneedle delivery system is effective in delivering collagen I into the epidermis and dermis of porcine and human skin. Since the technique presented in this paper is quick, safe, effective and easy, it can be considered as a new collagen delivery method for cosmetic and therapeutic applications.

Evaluation of Treatments for Pruritus in Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Pruritus is a common complication in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB). There is limited published data about the treatments that individuals with EB use for pruritus. The objective of the current study was to determine quantitatively which treatments individuals with EB have used for pruritus and to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of these treatments in pruritus relief. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the treatments and therapies used for pruritus in patients of all ages and for all types of EB. Questions about bathing products, moisturizers, topical products, oral medications, dressings, and alternative therapies were included. A 5-point Likert scale (-2 = relieves itch a lot, -1 = relieves itch a little, 0 = no change, 1 = increases itch a little, 2 = increases itch a lot) was used to evaluate perceived effectiveness. Patients from seven North American EB centers were invited to participate. Greasy ointments (53.4%), lotions (45.2%), creams (40.4%), and oral hydroxyzine (39.0%) were the most frequently used treatments for pruritus. Treatments that were used frequently and perceived to be the most effective included creams (mean = -1.1), topical prescription corticosteroids (mean = -1.0), oils (mean = -0.9), oral hydroxyzine (mean = -0.9), topical diphenhydramine (mean = -0.9), and vaporizing rub (menthol, camphor, eucalyptus) (mean = -0.9). Systemic opioids (mean = 0.3), adherent bandages (mean = 0.3), and bleach baths (mean = 0.2) slightly increased pruritus. Randomized controlled trials of therapies will be necessary to develop evidence-based recommendations for control of pruritus in individuals with EB.

Purified type I collagen wound matrix improves chronic wound healing in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a severe genetic blistering skin condition resulting in chronic wounds. Nonhealing wounds were treated over 8 weeks using a reconstituted natural purified type I collagen skin substitute. Chronic wounds were defined as nonhealing wounds present for longer than 6 months. For each patient, two chronic wounds were identified and randomized into a control or treatment group. Both groups received standard-of-care wound dressings. The treatment group received an additional type I collagen skin substitute. Wound size was measured at baseline and weeks 1, 4, and 8. Pain, pruritus, and burning and stinging were assessed. Wound cultures were obtained at baseline and thereafter as was considered clinically relevant. Ten subjects were enrolled; seven completed the study. Six subjects showed a positive response to the type I collagen skin substitute. Three subjects demonstrated full wound reepithelialization. Wounds treated using the collagen skin substitute showed statistically significantly greater improvement. Average scores for pruritus and pain decreased significantly. Reconstituted natural purified type I collagen skin substitutes improved the healing of chronic wounds and may be a valuable addition to the epidermolysis bullosa wound care arsenal.

Prevalence and characterization of pruritus in epidermolysis bullosa.

Qualitative data suggest that pruritus is a burdensome symptom in patients with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), but the prevalence of pruritus in children and adults with EB and factors that contribute to pruritus are unknown. The objective of the current study was to quantitatively identify and to characterize pruritus that EB patients experience using a comprehensive online questionnaire. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate pruritus in all ages and all types of EB. Questions that characterize pruritus were included and factors that aggravate symptoms were investigated. Patients from seven North American EB centers were invited to participate. One hundred forty-six of 216 questionnaires were completed (response rate 68%; 73 male, 73 female; median age 20.0 years). Using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = often, 5 = always), itchiness was the most bothersome EB complication (mean 3.3). The average daily frequency of pruritus increased with self-reported EB severity. Pruritus was most frequent at bedtime (mean 3.8) and interfered with sleep. Factors that aggravated pruritus included healing wounds, dry skin, infected wounds, stress, heat, dryness, and humidity. Pruritus is common in individuals with EB and can be bothersome. Future studies will need to investigate the most effective treatments given to individuals with EB for pruritus.

Instrument for scoring clinical outcome of research for epidermolysis bullosa: a consensus-generated clinical research tool.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic condition characterized by skin fragility and blistering. There is no instrument available for clinical outcome research measurements. Our aim was to develop a comprehensive instrument that is easy to use in the context of interventional studies. Item collection was accomplished using a two-step Delphi Internet survey process for practitioners and qualitative content analysis of patient and family interviews. Items were reduced based on frequency and importance using a 4-point Likert scale and were subject to consensus (>80% agreement) using the nominal group technique. Pilot data testing was performed in 21 consecutive patients attending an EB clinic. The final score, Instrument for Scoring Clinical Outcome of Research for Epidermolysis Bullosa (iscorEB), is a combined score that contains clinician items grouped in five domains (skin, mucosa, organ involvement, laboratory abnormalities, and complications and procedures; maximum score 114) and patient-derived items (pain, itch, functional limitations, sleep, mood, and effect on daily and leisurely activities; maximum score 120). Pilot testing revealed that combined (see below) and subscores were able to differentiate between EB subtypes and degrees of clinical severity (EB simplex 21.7 ± 16.5, junctional EB 28.0 ± 20.7, dystrophic EB 57.3 ± 24.6, p = 0.007; mild 17.3 ± 9.6, moderate 41.0 ± 19.4, and severe 64.5 ± 22.6, p < 0.001). There was high correlation between clinician and patient subscores (correlation coefficient = 0.79, p < 0.001). iscorEB seems to be a sensitive tool in differentiating between EB types and across the clinical spectrum of severity. Further validation studies are needed.

Human COL7A1-corrected induced pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) lack functional type VII collagen owing to mutations in the gene COL7A1 and suffer severe blistering and chronic wounds that ultimately lead to infection and development of lethal squamous cell carcinoma. The discovery of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the ability to edit the genome bring the possibility to provide definitive genetic therapy through corrected autologous tissues. We generated patient-derived COL7A1-corrected epithelial keratinocyte sheets for autologous grafting. We demonstrate the utility of sequential reprogramming and adenovirus-associated viral genome editing to generate corrected iPSC banks. iPSC-derived keratinocytes were produced with minimal heterogeneity, and these cells secreted wild-type type VII collagen, resulting in stratified epidermis in vitro in organotypic cultures and in vivo in mice. Sequencing of corrected cell lines before tissue formation revealed heterogeneity of cancer-predisposing mutations, allowing us to select COL7A1-corrected banks with minimal mutational burden for downstream epidermis production. Our results provide a clinical platform to use iPSCs in the treatment of debilitating genodermatoses, such as RDEB.

Characterizing the relationship between free drug samples and prescription patterns for acne vulgaris and rosacea.

IMPORTANCE: Describing the relationship between the availability of free prescription drug samples and dermatologists' prescribing patterns on a national scale can help inform policy guidelines on the use of free samples in a physician's office. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between free drug samples and dermatologists' local and national prescribing patterns and between the availability of free drug samples and prescription costs. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study investigating prescribing practices for acne, a common dermatologic condition for which free samples are often available. The settings were, first, the offices of nationally representative dermatologists from the National Disease and Therapeutic Index (an IMS Health Incorporated database) and, second, an academic medical center clinic without samples. Participants were ambulatory patients who received a prescription from a dermatologist for a primary initial diagnosis of acne vulgaris or rosacea in 2010. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: National trends in dermatologist prescribing patterns, the degree of correlation between the availability of free samples and the prescribing of brand-name medications, and the mean cost of acne medications prescribed per office visit nationally and at an academic medical center without samples. RESULTS: On a national level, the provision of samples with a prescription by dermatologists has been increasing over time, and this increase is correlated (r = 0.92) with the use of the branded generic drugs promoted by these samples. Branded and branded generic drugs comprised most of the prescriptions written nationally (79%), while they represented only 17% at an academic medical center clinic without samples. Because of the increased use of branded and branded generic drugs, the national mean total retail cost of prescriptions at an office visit for acne was conservatively estimated to be 2 times higher (approximately $465 nationally vs $200 at an academic medical center without samples). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Free drug samples can alter the prescribing habits of physicians away from the use of less expensive generic medications. The benefits of free samples in dermatology must be weighed against potential negative effects on prescribing behavior and prescription costs.

An open-label study to evaluate sildenafil for the treatment of lymphatic malformations.

BACKGROUND: Lymphatic malformations can be challenging to treat. Mainstay interventions including surgery and sclerotherapy are invasive and can result in local recurrence and complications. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess the effect of 20 weeks of oral sildenafil on reducing lymphatic malformation volume and symptoms in children. METHODS: Seven children (4 boys, 3 girls; ages 13-85 months) with lymphatic malformations were given oral sildenafil for 20 weeks in this open-label study. The volume of the lymphatic malformation was calculated blindly using magnetic resonance imaging performed before and after 20 weeks of sildenafil. Lymphatic malformations were assessed clinically on weeks 4, 12, 20, and 32. Both the physician and parents evaluated the lymphatic malformation in comparison with baseline. RESULTS: Four subjects had a lymphatic malformation volume decrease (1.0%-31.7%). In 2 subjects, despite a lymphatic malformation volume increase (1.1%-3.7%), clinical improvement was noted while on sildenafil. One subject had a 29.6% increase in lymphatic malformation volume and no therapeutic response. Lymphatic malformations of all 6 subjects who experienced a therapeutic response on sildenafil softened and became easily compressible. Adverse events were minimal. LIMITATIONS: A randomized controlled trial will be necessary to verify the effects of sildenafil on lymphatic malformations. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil can reduce lymphatic malformation volume and symptoms in some children.

Eczema and sensitization to common allergens in the United States: a multiethnic, population-based study.

The relationship between food and environmental allergens in contributing to eczema risk is unclear on a multiethnic population level. Our purpose was to determine whether sensitization to specific dietary and environmental allergens as measured according to higher specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels is associated with eczema risk in children. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants ages 1 to 17 years were asked whether they had ever received a diagnosis of eczema from a physician (n = 538). Total and specific serum IgE levels for four dietary allergens (egg, cow's milk, peanut, and shrimp) and five environmental allergens (dust mite, cat, dog, Aspergillus, and Alternaria) were measured. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between eczema and IgE levels. In the United States, 10.4 million children (15.6%) have a history of eczema. Eczema was more common in black children (p < 0.001) and in children from families with higher income and education (p = 0.01). The median total IgE levels were higher in children with a history of eczema than in those without (66.4 vs 50.6 kU/L, p = 0.004). In multivariate analysis adjusted for age, race, sex, family income, household education, and physician-diagnosed asthma, eczema was significantly associated with sensitization to cat dander (odds ratio [OR] = 1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05, 1.4, p = 0.009) and dog dander (OR = 1.5, 95% CI, 1.2, 1.7, p < 0.001). After correction for multiple comparisons, only sensitization to dog dander remained significant. U.S. children with eczema are most likely to be sensitized to dog dander. Future prospective studies should further explore this relationship.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone microneedles enable delivery of intact proteins for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

We present a method of fabricating microneedles from polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) that enables delivery of intact proteins (or peptides) to the dermal layers of the skin. PVP is known to self-assemble into branched hollow fibers in aqueous and alcoholic solutions; we utilized this property to develop dissolvable patches of microneedles. Proteins were dissolved in concentrated PVP solution in both alcohol and water, poured into polydimethylsiloxane templates shaped as microneedles and, upon evaporation of solvent, formed into concentric, fibrous, layered structures. This approach of making PVP microneedles overcomes problems in dosage, uniform delivery and stability of protein formulation as compared to protein-coated metallic microneedles or photopolymerized PVP microneedles. Here we characterize the PVP microneedles and measure the delivery of proteins into skin. We show that our method of fabrication preserves the protein conformation. These microneedles can serve as a broadly useful platform for delivering protein antigens and therapeutic proteins to the skin, for example for allergen skin testing or immunotherapy.

A follow-up survey of the integrity of the dermatology National Resident Matching Program.

BACKGROUND: Our group's 2009 study of the integrity of the dermatology match revealed that some dermatology program directors violated National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) policy during their communications with applicants. Our group's article concluded with recommendations to change this behavior. OBJECTIVE: We repeated a survey of dermatology applicants to understand if dermatology program personnel behavior has changed since our group's 2009 study of the dermatology match. METHODS: We surveyed 2011 applicants to Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA. The survey was anonymous and available online. RESULTS: Of applicants, 14% were asked to reveal how they intended to rank a program before match day. Of applicants, 32% felt pressured to reveal how they intended to rank programs. Of applicants, 90% were asked about interviews at other programs. Of applicants, 44% were asked about their marital status and 19% were asked if they had children or intended to have children. LIMITATIONS: The response rate for applicants was 53%. CONCLUSION: Although our previous study increased knowledge about the problems within the dermatology match, dermatology program personnel continue to violate NRMP policy. The most widespread violations are asking applicants where they will interview, asking applicants if they are married, and pressuring applicants to reveal how they intend to rank programs. We continue to recommend that programs avoid postinterview contact, and recommend that the NRMP create training videos for applicants and interviewers.

Diagnosis of pilomatricoma using an otoscope.

Pilomatricoma is a benign tumor that presents as a 3-30-mm, firm, solitary, deep, dermal or subcutaneous tumor on the head, neck, or upper extremities. The clinical diagnosis is often made by the firm, sometimes rock-hard texture of the skin. The diagnosis can be confirmed by a skin biopsy or excision of the lesion. We have recently noted that pilomatricomas appear as a black mass in the skin when the lesion is transilluminated by placing the light of a fiberoptic otoscope adjacent to the skin lesion. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating preoperative diagnosis of pilomatricoma by transilluminating the lesion with an otoscope.

The integrity of the dermatology National Resident Matching Program: results of a national study.

BACKGROUND: National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) policy outlines the conduct expected by both program directors and residency applicants. However, recent studies and personal experiences have introduced the possibility that NRMP policy is violated during the residency application process. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the communications that occur between dermatology applicants and dermatology programs during the residency application process. METHODS: From April to July 2009, we surveyed 2009 Stanford dermatology applicants, current US dermatology residents, and US dermatology program directors. The survey was anonymous and available online. The main outcome measures were the frequency and incidence of dermatology NRMP policy violations. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of Stanford applicants and 19% of US dermatology residents felt pressured to reveal to programs how they ranked them before match day. Seventeen percent of Stanford applicants and 14% of US dermatology residents witnessed behavior that made them feel uncomfortable or that they thought was a possible ethical infraction of NRMP policy. LIMITATIONS: Response rates were as follows: 43% of Stanford applicants, 46% of residents, and 61% of program directors. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that some dermatology program directors violate NRMP policy during their communications with applicants. The most widespread violation is pressuring applicants into revealing how they intend to rank programs. Other violations include apparent sexual discrimination and reserving NRMP positions for preselected applicants. Additional studies should be done in order to determine the incidence of dermatology applicants violating NRMP policy.

Acquired bilateral agminated Spitz nevi in a child with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Multiple Spitz nevi are rare and may occur in agminated, widespread, or dermatomal distributions. Agminated Spitz nevi usually arise in children, presenting on grossly normal, hyperpigmented, or most rarely, hypopigmented skin. We present a child with Langerhans cell histiocytosis who developed bilateral agminated Spitz nevi in the inguinal area. Unusual features included the multifocal distribution, bilateral inguinal location, and co-occurrence with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Long-term type VII collagen restoration to human epidermolysis bullosa skin tissue.

In spite of advances in the molecular diagnosis of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), an inherited blistering disease due to a deficiency of type VII collagen at the basement membrane zone (BMZ) of stratified epithelium, current therapy is limited to supportive palliation. Gene delivery has shown promise in short-term experiments; however, its long-term sustainability through multiple turnover cycles in human tissue has awaited confirmation. To characterize approaches for long-term genetic correction, retroviral vectors were constructed containing long terminal repeat-driven full-length and epitope-tagged COL7A1 cDNA and evaluated for durability of type VII collagen expression and function in RDEB skin tissue regenerated on immune-deficient mice. Type VII collagen expression was maintained for 1 year in vivo, or over 12 epidermal turnover cycles, with no abnormalities in skin morphology or self-renewal. Type VII collagen restoration led to correction of RDEB disease features, including reestablishment of anchoring fibrils at the BMZ. This approach confirms durably corrective and noninjurious gene delivery to long-lived epidermal progenitors and provides the foundation for a human clinical trial of ex vivo gene delivery in RDEB.