Racial and ethnic variation in presentation and outcomes of high-grade soft tissue sarcoma at a Southeastern United States comprehensive cancer center.

BACKGROUND: High-grade soft tissue sarcoma is rare and associated with poor prognosis. This study examines racial and ethnic variation in presentation and outcomes at a Southeastern US cancer center. METHODS: Among an institutional cohort of patients seen between January 2016-December 2021, racial and ethnic differences were evaluated using chi-squared tests, Kaplan Meier curves, and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: There were 295 patients (71 â€‹% Non-Hispanic White, 24 â€‹% Black, 3 â€‹% Hispanic White, 2 â€‹% Other). Black representation was greater than national cohorts (24 â€‹% vs. 12 â€‹%). Histological subtype varied by race/ethnicity (p â€‹= â€‹0.007). Adjusting for histology and stage, survival was worse for Black vs. White patients (HR 1.71, 95 â€‹% CI 1.07-2.76) and those with metastatic disease (5.47, 3.54-8.44). In non-metastatic patients, survival differences for Black vs. White patients were attenuated by receipt of multi-modal treatment (1.53, 0.82-2.88). CONCLUSION: Observed racial disparities in survival of high-grade sarcoma may be addressed by early, multidisciplinary management.

Interacting With Dermatology Patients Online: Private Practice vs Academic Institute Website Content.

Although both private practices and academic institutions in dermatology treat the same variety of pathologies, private practices entice more patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in website content between dermatology private practices and academic institutions. All 140 dermatology residency programs were first queried. Only websites that contained pertinent information for patients were used in this study (113 of 140 programs). A total of 113 private practice websites were then matched for location and reputation. These sites were assessed for 23 content criteria categorized as practice, physician, patient, or treatment/procedure. The results may be useful for optimizing both private practice and academic institution websites so that patients can better understand the institutions that provide their care.

Exploration of Skin of Color Dermatology Content on YouTube.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of diversity in dermatology regarding skin of color-related content. This has negative implications for patients of color and continues to be a hurdle to providing proper care to these patient populations. As patients increasingly look to the internet as a resource to gain insight on dermatologic conditions and potential treatment options, the information presented must be accurate and informational. The goals of this study included identifying and analyzing skin of color-related dermatology content found on YouTube, characterizing the content creators, and comparing board-certified dermatologists’ content to that created by other YouTubers. METHODS: A total of 23 dermatology terms associated with skin of color were searched on YouTube. The top 9 relevant videos for each search term were analyzed for views, comments, likes, and content creator classification. Each video was also labeled as being promotional or educational. The content creator and the content subject were also analyzed. Content created by board-certified dermatologists as well as physicians was then compared to content created by non-physicians. Statistical comparison was done using Mann-Whitney U tests and Pearson’s Chi-squared test where appropriate. RESULTS: The most popular search term was dandruff while the least popular search terms were dermatosis papulose nigra, eczema, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia. Of the total 207 videos analyzed (Figure 1), the majority of video profiles consisted of medical interest groups (77, 37.2%), whereas the majority of video subjects consisted of board-certified dermatologists (50, 24.2%). In contrast, the least common video profiles belonged to patients (2, 1%), and the least common video subjects were news media (2, 1%). When comparing board-certified dermatologists to all other classifications of content creators, there was a significant difference in views, comments, and likes (views P=0.0477, comments P=0.0324, likes P=0.0203). When comparing all physicians to all other content creators, there was a similar trend (views P=0.0009, comments P<0.0001, likes P<0.0001). Physicians were significantly less likely to include promotional content in their videos when compared to other content creators (P=0.0170). CONCLUSION: Although skin of color-related dermatology content on YouTube is primarily educational, board-certified dermatologists are underrepresented as content creators on YouTube. It is pertinent that physicians continue to make content on YouTube and other social media platforms so that patients can have access to accurate yet salient information about their conditions. Patel J, Braswell AC, Jiminez VS, et al. Exploration of skin of color dermatology content on YouTube. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(7):678-684. doi:10.36849/JDD.6995.

Change in craving and frequency of consuming palatable foods for non-homeostatic motives after a gut-cued eating intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known regarding consumption of palatable foods (PFs) for non-homeostatic reasons after weight-loss interventions and if baseline or change in frequency of this kind of eating can predict weight-loss outcomes. Little is also known of the relationship between PF eating for non-homeostatic motives and PF craving. Addressing these gaps is important because cravings and habitual consumption of PFs in the absence of homeostatic need contribute to obesity. METHODS: N = 30 adults with a mean 34.8 BMI completed a seven-response choice version of the PEMS (PEMS-7) before and after Gut-Cued Eating (GCE), an intervention that did not ban PFs but instructed them to eat only when stomach-hungry and stop eating before feeling too full. Photos of PFs were also rated pre- and post-GCE. RESULTS: Frequency of eating PFs for social, reward enhancement, and coping, but not conformity motives, decreased after GCE. The decreases predicted amount of weight loss independent of initial weight and demographics. PF craving also decreased and, while correlated with decreasing PF intake, it did not predict weight loss. DISCUSSION: The study is preliminary because GCE was uncontrolled. However, results warrant a controlled investigation. That craving and frequency of consuming PFs for non-homeostatic motives declined with an intervention that did not ban PFs suggests a method that may voluntarily decrease one's intake of PFs. This should facilitate weight-loss and healthy-weight maintenance. Finally, decreased eating for non-homeostatic motives suggests that individuals were no longer using PFs to cope, socialize, and enhance reward, a change with benefits beyond weight loss.