A Case of Perifollicular Macular Amyloidosis.

Macular amyloidosis is a common type of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis. We present a case report of a 74-year-old patient with no significant past medical history who was evaluated for dark macules and pruritus for over a year. On exam, follicular-based brown macules on the upper and lower back, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral dorsal upper arms were noted. The morphology and distribution of follicular-based macules was unusual, so the differential included follicular lichen planus, follicular eczema, and macular amyloidosis. Punch biopsy showed deposits of eosinophilic fibrillary material along with pigmentary incontinence in the papillary dermis, consistent with macular amyloidosis. Additionally, there was some trapping of the adnexal structures with atrophy of the periadnexal fat in the reticular dermis. In macular amyloidosis keratin, intermediate filaments such as cytokeratin serve as the amyloid precursors which deposit in the superficial dermis. Characteristically, macular amyloidosis presents as hyperpigmented macules or patches, often in a "rippled" linear pattern. This case highlights a rare presentation of macular amyloidosis because of the atypical follicular involvement and emphasizes the variety of presentations for localized cutaneous amyloidosis. Additionally, new treatment options such as Janus Kinase inhibitors and their potential role in the pathological pathway are discussed.

Approach to treatment of refractory dissecting cellulitis of the scalp: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Dissecting cellulitis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis that results in disfiguring and painful, purulent lesions. Treatment of patients with disease resistant to standard therapies, including intralesional or topical steroids or antibiotics, can be a dilemma for clinicians. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of the literature in November 2018 to find articles which presented treatment options and outcomes of patients who failed prior treatment with standard therapies. RESULTS: We identified 57 articles of interest, with 53 being case studies or series. Isotretinoin was the most often reported, but the response was limited. Biologics and laser therapy were used less often but demonstrated a better chance of remission. X-ray epilation and surgical excision demonstrated the best remission rates but can be complicated by serious morbidity. CONCLUSION: We propose a regimen for the treatment of recalcitrant cases of dissecting cellulitis. In the future, more robust studies including randomized control trials are needed to identify the preferred treatment options for refractory dissecting cellulitis.

Patient Preparation for Outpatient Blood Work and the Impact of Surreptitious Fasting on Diagnoses of Diabetes and Prediabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patient preparation for routine outpatient blood work and examine the implications of surreptitious fasting on interpretation of glucose results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a survey and administered it between September 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017, to assess fasting behaviors in a convenience sample of 526 adults presenting for outpatient blood work in 2 health systems between 7 am and 12 pm. We reviewed the electronic health records to extract glucose results. We describe the frequency of clinician-directed fasting and surreptitious fasting. In those surreptitiously fasting, we describe the frequency of missed diagnoses of prediabetes and diabetes. RESULTS: Of 526 participants, 330 (62.7%) self-identified as fasting, and 304 (92.1%) of those fasting met American Diabetes Association fasting criteria. Only 131 (24.9%) of those fasting were told to fast by their health care team. Almost 50% (257 of 526) believed it was important to fast for every blood test. Of the 64 patients with diabetes who were taking insulin, 37 (57.8%) fasted and took their insulin as prescribed. Among the 89 patients without diabetes who fasted without knowledge of their health care team and had glucose tested, 2 (2.2%) had a missed diagnosis of diabetes and 18 (20.2%) had a missed diagnosis of prediabetes. CONCLUSION: Fasting for outpatient blood work is common, and patients frequently fast without awareness of their health care team. Failure to capture fasting status at the time of glucose testing is a missed opportunity to identify undiagnosed cases of diabetes and prediabetes.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Emerging and Frontline Therapies in Common Dermatological Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates possible race- and ethnicity-related disparities in the treatment of acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis of newly approved treatments as well as existing therapies. METHODS: Aggregate level data was collected from patient medical records between 2013 and 2018. The odds ratio of patients who had been prescribed treatments for acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis per racial and ethnic group were calculated using a 95% confidence interval after applying Bonferroni correction to account for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Black patients with acne had statistically significant (p < 0.001) lower odds of receiving isotretinoin 0.26 [0.22-0.30], adapalene 0.72 [0.67-0.78], tazarotene 0.74 [0.64-0.86], and dapsone 0.39 [0.34-0.45] than white patients. The exceptions were tretinoin 1.28 [1.23-1.34] and benzoyl peroxide 3.00 [2.79-3.23] (p < 0.001). Hispanic patients with acne had statistically lower odds of receiving tretinoin 0.86 [0.79-0.95] (p < 0.001) compared to non-Hispanics. Black patients with atopic dermatitis were less likely to receive desonide 0.90 [0.78-0.93], tacrolimus 0.75 [0.68-0.83], pimecrolimus 0.71 [0.60-0.84], crisaborole 0.39 [0.26-0.57], dupilumab 0.42 [0.27-0.65]. The exception was hydrocortisone 2.50 [2.34-2.65] (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference for Hispanics compared to non-Hispanics. Black patients with psoriasis had a lower likelihood of receiving cyclosporine 0.54 [0.35-0.83] and etanercept 0.65 [0.49-0.87]. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a racial and ethnic disparity in accessing newly approved and standard of care medical therapies for acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis within the past three years.

Racial and Gender Differences in the Presentation of Pruritus.

Background: Pruritus is a common disease symptom with a variety of etiologies known to reduce patient quality of life. We aimed to characterize the racial and gender differences in the presentation of pruritus for itch-related patient visits both within a single institution and nationally. Methods: Cross sectional study of patients ≥ 18 years old seen at Johns Hopkins Health System between 1/1/12 and 1/1/18. Results were compared to data from 2005-2011 from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Health Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS). Results: Our findings indicate that itch patients at JHHS (n = 18,753) were more likely to be black compared to white patients (37% vs. 19%, p < 0.01) when compared to patients without itch-a trend also noted nationally based on data from NAMCS/NHAMCS (26% vs. 21%, p = 0.05). Black itch patients are also more likely to be diagnosed with prurigo nodularis (OR 2.37, p < 0.0001), lichen planus (OR 1.22, p < 0.0001), and atopic dermatitis OR 1.51, p < 0.0001). Female itch patients are more likely to be diagnosed with autoimmune (OR 1.66, p < 0.0001) and psychiatric comorbidities (OR 1.2-1.8, p < 0.0001) than male itch patients. When compared to black itch patients nationally, white itch patients were more likely to visit a dermatologist (29% vs. 18%, p = 0.028). Our data can identify associated conditions and demographic differences but are unable to support a causal relationship. Conclusions: Black and female patients are more likely to present with pruritus, a symptom associated with comorbidities such as prurigo nodularis, lichen planus, atopic dermatitis, and psychiatric conditions.