Isotretinoin for Acne in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals Receiving Masculinizing Hormone Therapy.

Importance: Masculinizing gender-affirming hormonal therapy is associated with the development of acne. While isotretinoin is a highly effective acne treatment, little is known about its effectiveness and safety among transgender and gender-diverse individuals receiving gender-affirming hormonal therapy. Objective: To evaluate clinical outcomes of isotretinoin among transgender and gender-diverse individuals receiving gender-affirming hormonal therapy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter retrospective case series study was conducted at 4 medical centers: Mass General Brigham, University of Pennsylvania, Emory University, and Fenway Health. It included patients aged between 12 and 49 years who were receiving masculinizing gender-affirming hormonal therapy and prescribed isotretinoin for the management of acne between August 14, 2015, and September 20, 2023. Exposure: Isotretinoin therapy for the management of acne. Main Outcomes and Measures: The percentage of patients experiencing improvement or clearance of acne, as well as rates of acne recurrence. Adverse effects and reasons for treatment discontinuation were also evaluated. Results: Among 55 included patients, the mean (SD) age was 25.4 years; 4 (7.3%) were Asian, 2 (3.6%) were Black, 4 (7.2%) were Hispanic, 1 was (1.8%) multiracial, and 36 (65.5%) were White. The median isotretinoin course duration was 6 months (IQR, 4.0-8.0), with a median cumulative dose of 132.7 mg/kg (IQR, 66.4-168.5); the cumulative dose was less than 90 mg/kg for 16 patients (29.1%) and less than 120 mg/kg for 22 patients (40.0%). Isotretinoin was associated with improvement in 48 patients (87.3%) and clearance in 26 patients (47.3%). For the 33 patients treated with a cumulative dose of 120 mg/kg or more, these rates increased to 32 patients (97.0%) and 21 patients (63.6%), respectively. Among the 20 patients who achieved acne clearance and had any subsequent health care encounters, the risk of recurrence was 20.0% (n = 4). The most frequently reported adverse effects were dryness (n = 44; 80.0%), joint pain (n = 8; 14.5%), and eczema (n = 5; 9.1%). Laboratory abnormalities were uncommon. Reasons for premature treatment discontinuation included cost, pharmacy issues, adverse effects, logistical reasons (scheduling), and wound healing concerns for gender-affirming surgery. Conclusion and Relevance: In this case series study of individuals with acne who were receiving masculinizing gender-affirming hormonal therapy and underwent isotretinoin treatment, isotretinoin was often effective and well tolerated. However, premature treatment discontinuation was common and associated with poorer outcomes. Further efforts are needed to understand optimal dosing and treatment barriers to improve outcomes in transgender and gender-diverse individuals receiving masculinizing gender-affirming hormonal therapy.

Barriers and Facilitators Affecting Long-Term Antibiotic Prescriptions for Acne Treatment.

Importance: Dermatologists prescribe more oral antibiotics per clinician than clinicians in any other specialty. Despite clinical guidelines that recommend limitation of long-term oral antibiotic treatments for acne to less than 3 months, there is little evidence to guide the design and implementation of an antibiotic stewardship program in clinical practice. Objective: To identify salient barriers and facilitators to long-term antibiotic prescriptions for acne treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants: This qualitative study assessed data collected from stakeholders (including dermatologists, infectious disease physicians, dermatology resident physicians, and nonphysician clinicians) via an online survey and semistructured video interviews between March and August 2021. Data analyses were performed from August 12, 2021, to January 20, 2024. Main Outcomes and Measures: Online survey and qualitative video interviews developed with the Theoretical Domains Framework. Thematic analyses were used to identify salient themes on barriers and facilitators to long-term antibiotic prescriptions for acne treatment. Results: Among 30 participants (14 [47%] males and 16 [53%] females) who completed the study requirements and were included in the analysis, knowledge of antibiotic guideline recommendations was high and antibiotic stewardship was believed to be a professional responsibility. Five salient themes were to be affecting long-term antibiotic prescriptions: perceived lack of evidence to justify change in dermatologic practice, difficulty navigating patient demands and satisfaction, discomfort with discussing contraception, iPLEDGE-related barriers, and the absence of an effective system to measure progress on antibiotic stewardship. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this qualitative study indicate that multiple salient factors affect long-term antibiotic prescribing practices for acne treatment. These factors should be considered in the design and implementation of any future outpatient antibiotic stewardship program for clinical dermatology.

Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris commonly affects adults, adolescents, and preadolescents aged 9 years or older. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of acne. METHODS: A work group conducted a systematic review and applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach for assessing the certainty of evidence and formulating and grading recommendations. RESULTS: This guideline presents 18 evidence-based recommendations and 5 good practice statements. Strong recommendations are made for benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, and oral doxycycline. Oral isotretinoin is strongly recommended for acne that is severe, causing psychosocial burden or scarring, or failing standard oral or topical therapy. Conditional recommendations are made for topical clascoterone, salicylic acid, and azelaic acid, as well as for oral minocycline, sarecycline, combined oral contraceptive pills, and spironolactone. Combining topical therapies with multiple mechanisms of action, limiting systemic antibiotic use, combining systemic antibiotics with topical therapies, and adding intralesional corticosteroid injections for larger acne lesions are recommended as good practice statements. LIMITATIONS: Analysis is based on the best available evidence at the time of the systematic review. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the management of acne vulgaris.

Barriers and Facilitators to Teledermatology and Tele-Eye Care in Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Settings: Qualitative Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Veterans Affairs health care systems have been early adopters of asynchronous telemedicine to provide access to timely and high-quality specialty care services in primary care settings for veterans living in rural areas. Scant research has examined how to expand primary care team members' engagement in telespecialty care. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative study aimed to explore implementation process barriers and facilitators to using asynchronous telespecialty care (teledermatology and tele-eye care services). METHODS: In total, 30 participants including primary care providers, nurses, telehealth clinical technicians, medical and program support assistants, and administrators from 2 community-based outpatient clinics were interviewed. Semistructured interviews were conducted using an interview guide, digitally recorded, and transcribed. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis summative approach. Two coders reviewed transcripts independently. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus discussion. RESULTS: In total, 3 themes were identified from participants' experiences: positive perception of telespecialty care, concerns and challenges of implementation, and suggestions for service refinement. Participants voiced that the telemedicine visits saved commute and waiting times and provided veterans in rural areas more access to timely medical care. The mentioned concerns were technical challenges and equipment failure, staffing shortages to cover both in-person and telehealth visit needs, overbooked schedules leading to delayed referrals, the need for a more standardized operation protocol, and more hands-on training with formative feedback among supporting staff. Participants also faced challenges with appointment cancellations and struggled to find ways to efficiently manage both telehealth and in-person visits to streamline patient flow. Nonetheless, most participants feel motivated and confident in implementing telespecialty care going forward. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided important insights into the positive perceptions and ongoing challenges in telespecialty care implementation. Feedback from primary care teams is needed to improve telespecialty care service delivery for rural veterans.

Lived Experience of Acne and Acne Treatment in Transgender Patients.

Importance: While acne is common in transgender and gender-diverse people and is associated with gender-affirming hormone therapy, little research has examined these factors and their impact in gender minority groups. Objective: To examine the lived experiences of acne and acne treatment in transgender and gender-diverse participants. Design, Setting, and Participants: This mixed-methods analysis was conducted at a multidisciplinary gender center at a public safety-net hospital and endocrinology and dermatology clinics at a tertiary academic center from January 4, 2021, to April 7, 2022, using semistructured interviews and surveys. Participants were transgender or gender-diverse adults who had received gender-affirming hormone therapy. Data analysis was performed from November 11, 2021, to March 31, 2023. Exposure: Current diagnosis of acne. Main Outcomes and Measures: Interviews exploring the experience of acne and acne treatment were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded using minority stress theory and the socioecological model, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes were triangulated with survey data on gender, self-reported acne severity, skin-specific quality-of-life impact, and treatment experience. Results: A total of 32 participants were included in the study (mean [range] age, 32 [18-57] years; 17 transgender men, 11 transgender women, and 4 nonbinary participants). Ten participants (31%) self-rated their skin as currently clear or almost clear, 11 (34%) reported mild acne, and 11 (34%) had moderate to severe acne. Participants described experiences of rejection and bullying related to acne and admitted avoiding social interactions in which they anticipated acne-related discrimination, which led to feelings of depression and anxiety. Acne worsened body appearance dissatisfaction. Transgender women reported acne interfering with feminine gender expression. Transgender men often normalized acne development, sometimes viewing acne positively as an early sign of testosterone action. Most participants tried over-the-counter acne treatments and commonly sought acne treatment advice from physicians, peers, online forums, and social media. Barriers to acne treatments included cost, lack of multidisciplinary care, mistrust toward the health care system, and lack of transgender-specific acne care education. Conclusions and Relevance: In this mixed-methods study, transgender and gender-diverse individuals reported experiencing acne-related stigma and facing barriers to acne treatment. Multilevel changes, such as developing strategies to reduce acne stigma, providing transgender-specific acne care education, facilitating multidisciplinary acne care, and expanding transgender-friendly clinical environments, are recommended to reduce the impact of acne in transgender individuals.

Cutaneous and Noncutaneous Adverse Effects in Patients with Advanced Melanoma Receiving Immunotherapy.

Relationships between cutaneous adverse effects (CAEs) and noncutaneous adverse effects (NCAEs) of melanoma immunotherapy may help identify patterns tied to distinct immunologic pathways. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between CAEs and NCAEs among patients with stages III-IV melanoma receiving immunotherapy and who were enrolled in a prospective cohort. Electronic medical record data were abstracted from the first immunotherapy infusion until 1 year later. CAEs were rash or itch. NCAEs were symptoms and/or laboratory abnormalities documented as immunotherapy related. NCAE onset and time to NCAE were compared between participants with and without CAEs using ORs and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Of 34 participants, 11 (32.4%) developed no adverse effects, 7 (20.1%) developed CAEs only, 3 (8.8%) developed NCAEs only, and 13 (38.2%) developed both CAEs and NCAEs. After adjustment for age, sex, and immunotherapy regimen, CAE was associated with higher odds of NCAE development (OR = 9.72; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-76.8). Median NCAE onset was 63 days in those with CAEs and 168 days in those without CAEs (P = 0.41). Limitations included a small sample size, and larger prospective studies should be performed to confirm findings. CAE was associated with NCAE development. Early identification and treatment of NCAEs may reduce symptom burden and hospitalizations associated with NCAEs.

Atopic Dermatitis and Bullying Among US Adolescents.

This cross-sectional study compares the prevalence and frequency of bullying among US adolescents with and without atopic dermatitis.

Poppers Dermatitis: A Systematic Review on a Unique Form of Contact Dermatitis in the MSM Community.

There are certain demographic characteristics that may serve as risk factors for exposure to a contact allergen. Volatile alkyl nitrites, colloquially known as "poppers," are commonly inhaled by men who have sex with men (MSM) for their psychoactive and muscle-relaxing effects. They have been reported to cause either allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) or irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), termed "poppers dermatitis." We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to understand the patient population, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and clinical course of poppers dermatitis. Our search returned 13 articles detailing 18 patients total. Most patient cases were male (n = 13/15; 87%), of whom 5 were MSM. The reports on the remaining 8 men did not disclose their sexual behaviors. The chemicals deemed responsible for adverse cutaneous side effects included amyl nitrite (6/18; 33%), butyl nitrite (3/18; 167%), isobutyl nitrite (2/18; 11%), and an unspecified alkyl nitrite (7/18, 39%). The most common diagnosis was ICD (10/18; 56%). Only 3 patients underwent alkyl nitrite patch testing, with 2 testing positive for ACD. The most commonly involved anatomic sites were perinasal (13/18; 72%) and perioral regions (10/18; 56%). Rash morphology has been described as yellow crusting, impetigo-like, eczematous, vesicular, edematous, and erythematous. Ulceration can occur with direct skin contact to concentrated nitrite solution. Poppers dermatitis was often self-limited with complete resolution. Dermatologists should consider poppers dermatitis in those presenting with a characteristic midfacial rash, especially in MSM.

The Changing Tasks of Medicine and Dermatology in the Twenty-First Century: The Need for Improved Information Capture Tools and Processes.

The delivery of dermatology services has undergone dramatic changes in the past century. The goals and timelines of care have evolved as have the diagnostic and therapeutic tools, resulting in the need to capture and manage information differently, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The predominant and basic office-based ambulatory care model has remained relatively unchanged. Patients and providers interact with minimal pre-visit preparation using the "agenda-less" meeting model. This care model is ill-suited to manage the vastly expanded data capture and processing requirement of twenty-first century dermatology. We have developed novel tools to automate pre-visit data collection which allows for more robust information capture which moves data capture outside of the time-constrained clinic visit. These tools capture structured data, integrate into electronic health records, and create summary reports in real time to assist decision-making. These tools, if scaled, can facilitate the information management needs of dermatology care.

Dermatologic care of patients with differences of sex development.

Background: Differences of sex development (DSD or disorders of sex development) are uncommon congenital conditions, characterized by atypical development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomic sex. Objective: Dermatologic care is an important component of the multidisciplinary care needed for individuals with DSD. This article discusses the most common primary dermatologic manifestations of DSD in addition to the cutaneous manifestations of hormonal and surgical therapies in individuals with DSD. Data sources: Published articles including case series and case reports on PubMed. Study selections: Selection was conducted by examining existing literature with a team of multidisciplinary specialists. Methods: Narrative review. Limitations: This article was not conducted as a systematic review. Results: In Klinefelter syndrome, refractory leg ulcers and incontinentia pigmenti have been described. Turner syndrome is associated with lymphatic malformations, halo nevi, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Virilization can be seen in some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, where acne and hirsutism are common. Conclusion: Dermatologists should consider teratogenic risk for treatments of skin conditions in DSD depending on pregnancy potential. Testosterone replacement, commonly used for Klinefelter syndrome, androgen insensitivity syndrome, 5-alpha reductase deficiency, gonadal dysgenesis, or ovotesticular DSD, may cause acne.

Teaching motivators, facilitators, and barriers among dermatology volunteer clinical faculty.

Volunteer clinical faculty in private practice provide important clinical teaching and mentorship to dermatology residency programs. Motivations for serving as volunteer clinical faculty in specialties such as obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and family medicine have been identified; however, there is limited data on what drives private practice physicians to volunteer to teach in dermatology residency training programs. This study examined motivators, facilitators, and barriers to serving as volunteer clinical faculty using an anonymous survey of dermatologists, Mohs surgeons, and dermatopathologists affiliated with Emory University's dermatology residency program. Among the 38 invited participants, 26 (68%) completed the survey. The types of practices represented include general dermatology (71%), Mohs surgery (23%), cosmetic dermatology (58%), and dermatopathology (27%). Traditional lectures and impromptu teaching sessions were the most utilized teaching modalities, with 14 (54%) and 11 (42%) of respondents reporting usage, respectively. Most respondents ranked altruistic statements such as "opportunity to be helpful to others" (26, 100%), "providing service to the field of dermatology" (25, 96%), and "enjoyment of teaching" (25, 96%) as important motivations. In contrast, extrinsic rewards such as career advancement and increased income were rated as least important. Significant barriers included limited time for travel and teaching and credentialing. Proposed facilitators included promoting schedule flexibility, increasing teaching supplies, and streamlining credentialing. This single-center study may have limited generalizability to other residency programs with varying characteristics. The motivators, facilitators, and barriers identified by this survey can inform dermatology residency programs on how to maximize volunteer clinical faculty recruitment, retention, and engagement, thus strengthening clinical teaching and mentorship offered.

Prevalence of Psoriasis and Perceived Association with Hormone Therapy in Transgender Adults.

Purpose: The role of hormone therapy (HT) in the etiology and progression of psoriasis in the transgender population is unclear. Methods: The prevalence of psoriasis in transmasculine (TM) and transfeminine (TF) adults and perceived links between psoriasis and gender-affirming HT is examined using a cross-sectional survey of 696 transgender individuals. Results: Ever diagnosis of psoriasis was reported by 17 TM persons (4.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6-7.2) and 13 TF persons (3.7%; 95% CI: 1.7-5.7). Prevalence of current psoriasis in TM persons was 2.6% (95% CI: 0.9-4.3) and 1.1% (95% CI: 0.03-2.3) among TF persons. Notably, among participants who had ever had psoriasis, 17% perceived a link between their psoriasis and gender-affirming HT. Conclusions: Prevalence of psoriasis among transgender persons resembled estimates in the general population. Potential associations between psoriasis and its severity with gender-affirming HT warrant further longitudinal research.

Adherence to Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy in Transgender Adolescents and Adults: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

CONTEXT: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals often seek gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). While receipt of GAHT has been associated with improved well-being, the risk of GAHT discontinuation and its reasons are not well known. OBJECTIVE: There were two main objectives: (1) To investigate the proportion of TGD individuals who discontinue therapy after an average of 4 years (maximum 19 years) since GAHT initiation; and (2) to explore reasons for GAHT discontinuation. This was a retrospective cohort study at academic centers providing care to TGD adolescents and adults. TGD individuals prescribed estradiol or testosterone between January 1, 2000, and January 1, 2019, were included. GAHT continuation was ascertained using a 2-phase process. In phase 1, Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to examine likelihood of GAHT discontinuation and compare discontinuation rates by age and sex assigned at birth. In phase 2, reasons for stopping GAHT were investigated by reviewing records and by contacting study participants who discontinued therapy. The main outcome measures were incidence and determinants of GAHT discontinuation. RESULTS: Among 385 eligible participants, 231 (60%) were assigned male at birth and 154 (40%) were assigned female at birth. Less than one-third of participants (n = 121) initiated GAHT prior to their 18th birthday, constituting the pediatric cohort (mean age 15 years), and the remaining 264 were included in the adult cohort (mean age 32 years). In phase 1, 6 participants (1.6%) discontinued GAHT during follow-up, and of those only 2 discontinued GAHT permanently (phase 2). CONCLUSION: GAHT discontinuation is uncommon when therapy follows Endocrine Society guidelines. Future research should include prospective studies with long-term follow-up of individuals receiving GAHT.