Parental assessment of infantile hemangioma cosmetic clinical outcomes: results of the Spanish Hemangioma Nationwide Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Functional impairment is the main consideration when it comes to choosing therapy for infantile hemangiomas (IH). However, since most hemangiomas are treated for cosmetic reasons, it is important to know the cosmetic outcome assessed by the parents. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the aesthetic outcomes of IH, considering the characteristics of the lesions and the treatments used. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Spanish Infantile Hemangioma Nationwide Prospective Cohort (2016-2022) recruited all consecutive patients diagnosed with IH in 12 Spanish hospitals. The children included had 2 photos of the IH lesion (at both baseline and at the end of the study). A panel of parents blindly assessed all available photos using a scale from 0 (worst cosmetic outcomes) to 10 (best cosmetic outcomes). The different scores -both before and after treatment-as well as the outcomes percent considered excellent (> 9) were described and compared. We analyzed the effect of receiving different therapies and performed causal model analyses estimating the mean treatment effect of parents' assessments. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 3.1 years. A total of 824 photos were evaluated. Baseline aesthetic impact was higher in the propranolol group vs the topical timolol and observation treatment groups (1.85 vs 3.14 vs 3.66 respectively; p < 0.001). After treatment, the aesthetic impact was similar between both treatment groups (7.59 vs 7.93 vs 7.90; p > 0.2). The causal model could only be applied to the comparison between topical timolol and observation, revealing no differences whatsoever. CONCLUSION: This is the first prospective cohort to analyze the aesthetic outcome of IH. The final aesthetic results of the 3 therapies were similar, with nearly 40% of patients achieving excellent aesthetic outcomes.

Study of the Impact of Restrictions on Access to Biological Drugs for the Management of Psoriasis on the Minimum Disease Activity Criteria: Subanalysis of AEDV EQUIDAD and AME Projects. / Estudio del impacto de las restricciones en el acceso a fármacos biológicos en psoriasis sobre la actividad mínima de la enfermedad: subanálisis de los proyectos EQUIDAD y AME de la AEDV.

Spanish Autonomous Communities (ACs) are entitled to decide on the prescription requirements of their own territories, which can create inequalities in access to new drugs in the management of psoriasis. The objective of this study was to assess whether the level of restrictions in the access to new drugs for the management psoriasis was associated with the probability of achieving disease control measured using the Minimum Disease Activity (MDA) criteria. Therefore, we combined the results of 2 previous independent, cross-sectional studies: one that described the MDA in psoriasis by AC, and another that evaluated the level of restrictions to drug access by AC. We found that the higher the number of restrictions the lower the chances of achieving the MDA criteria (P=.013). Our results suggest that, in Spain, geographical differences in the access to new drugs may be creating health inequalities across the country.

Bibliometric Study of the Advances Made in Clinical Dermatological Research in Spain from 2015 through 2021: Update of the MaIND Project and Interactive Online Map. / Estudio bibliométrico sobre la evolución de la investigación clínica dermatológica española entre 2015 y 2021: actualización del proyecto MaIND y mapa interactivo en línea.

INTRODUCTION: A clinical dermatological research was conducted in Spain from 2005 through 2014 as part of the MaIND project with the provinces or centers with the highest number of published articles. However, a low level of evidence in scientific production was confirmed as the overall result. The aim of this study is to update the Spanish clinical dermatological research in bibliometric terms from 2015 through 2021 with comparisons between both periods of time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a bibliometric study to replicate the methodology used in the article to be updated. We included articles whose corresponding authors' affiliation was a Spanish dermatological center, which met the criteria for clinical research in dermatology, including a level of evidence ≤4. RESULTS: A total of 1,674 out of the 10,199 articles met the inclusion criteria. An interactive map representing quantitative and qualitative indicators calculated for the 2005-2021 is presented here. In the study period, we found an increasing trend both in the number of published articles (P<.002) and in the mean number of citation-years per article (P<.01). A total of 22 of the articles had a level of evidence >4, with a positive trend towards more articles having a higher level of evidence (P<.03). ACTAS DERMOSIFILOGRÁFICAS still maintains its position as the journal with the highest number of articles received (18%, a total of 302 articles). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that, in Spain, the scientific production of dermatology represents an upward trend in quantity, impact, and level of evidence.

Melanoma Registry of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (REGESMEL): Description and Data in its First Year of Operation. / Registro de Melanoma de la Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología (REGESMEL): descripción y datos en el primer año de funcionamiento.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of melanoma is rising in Spain. The prognostic stages of patients with melanoma are determined by various biological factors, such as tumor thickness, ulceration, or the presence of regional or distant metastases. The Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) has encouraged the creation of a Spanish Melanoma Registry (REGESMEL) to evaluate other individual and health system-related factors that may impact the prognosis of patients with melanoma. The aim of this article is to introduce REGESMEL and provide basic descriptive data for its first year of operation. METHODS: REGESMEL is a prospective, multicentre cohort of consecutive patients with invasive cutaneous melanoma that collects demographic and staging data as well as individual and healthcare-related baseline data. It also records the medical and surgical treatment received by patients. RESULTS: A total of 450 cases of invasive cutaneous melanoma from 19 participant centres were included, with a predominance of thin melanomas≤1mm thick (54.7%), mainly located on the posterior trunk (35.2%). Selective sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed in 40.7% of cases. Most cases of melanoma were suspected by the patient (30.4%), or his/her dermatologist (29.6%). Patients received care mainly in public health centers (85.2%), with tele-dermatology resources being used in 21.6% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of the pathological and demographic variables of melanoma cases is consistent with data from former studies. REGESMEL has already recruited patients from 15 Spanish provinces and given its potential representativeness, it renders the Registry as an important tool to address a wide range of research questions.

[Translated article] Requirements for Accessing New Dermatology Drugs in Spain: Results of the EQUIDAD Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the Spanish Ministry of Health prepares national therapeutic positioning reports (TPRs) and drug reimbursement policies, each of the country's 17 autonomous communities (ACs) is responsible for health care services and prescription requirements in its territory. The aim of the EQUIDAD study was to describe and explore potential differences in prescription requirements for new dermatology drugs across the autonomous communities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in April and May, 2023. Two dermatologists with management responsibilities from each autonomous community reported on territorial and more local prescription requirements for drugs covered by national TPRs issued between 2016 and 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-three researchers from 17 autonomous communities participated. The data submitted revealed between-community inequities in access to new drugs. Overall, 64.7% of the regions imposed additional prescription requirements to those mentioned in the TPRs for psoriasis. This percentage was lower for atopic dermatitis (35.3%) and melanoma (11.8%). The most common requirement for accessing a new drug was a previous prescription for another drug. Differences and additional requirements were also detected at the local level (i.e., differences between hospitals within the same autonomous community). CONCLUSIONS: Spain's autonomous communities have multiple regional and local prescription requirements that are not aligned with national TPR recommendations. These differences result in inequitable access to new drugs for both patients and practitioners across Spain.

Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Being Treated for Scabies in Spain: Opportunities for Improvement - A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CLINI-AEDV Study. / Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de pacientes diagnosticados de escabiosis en España: oportunidades de mejora. Estudio transversal multicéntrico CLINI-AEDV.

BACKGROUND: Several studies support the hypothesis that scabies is on the rise in Spain. There are also concerns about the possible development of resistance to treatment and an increase in atypical presentations. The aims of this study were to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with scabies seen by dermatologists in Spain, to identify the possible emergence of atypical forms of scabies, and to explore the frequency of treatment failures and associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of data collected prospectively in April and May 2023 using the CLINI-AEDVp platform created by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). RESULTS: Participating dermatologists from 31 hospitals in 15 of Spain's autonomous communities recorded 186 cases of active scabies (51% in women) during the study period. A diagnostic certainty level of A, B or C as per the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria was required for diagnosis. Overall, 92% of patients had typical scabies and 66% had already been treated with a scabicide for the current episode. Of the treated patients, only 36% had received and completed adequate treatment (including the simultaneous treatment of all household members) and 50% had not received clear written recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: In a high proportion of the cases of scabies studied, the patient had already received treatment. In those cases, we observed several remediable shortcomings that could explain why some of these treatments had failed. Remedying these deficiencies should lead to better control of scabies and an improved assessment of the actual effectiveness of currently available scabicides.

[Translated article] Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Being Treated for Scabies in Spain: Opportunities for Improvement - A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CLINI-AEDV Study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies support the hypothesis that scabies is on the rise in Spain. There are also concerns about the possible development of resistance to treatment and an increase in atypical presentations. The aims of this study were to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with scabies seen by dermatologists in Spain, to identify the possible emergence of atypical forms of scabies, and to explore the frequency of treatment failures and associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of data collected prospectively in April and May 2023 using the CLINI-AEDVp platform created by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). RESULTS: Participating dermatologists from 31 hospitals in 15 of Spain's autonomous communities recorded 186 cases of active scabies (51% in women) during the study period. A diagnostic certainty level of A, B or C as per the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria was required for diagnosis. Overall, 92% of patients had clinical features of classic scabies and 66% had already been treated with a scabicide for the current episode. Of the treated patients, only 36% had received and completed adequate treatment (including the simultaneous treatment of all household members) and 50% had not received clear written recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: In a high proportion of scabies cases, the patient has already received treatment. In those cases, we observe several remediable shortcomings that could explain why some of these treatments fail. Remedying these deficiencies should lead to better control of scabies and an improved assessment of the actual effectiveness of currently available scabicides.

Requirements for Accessing New Dermatology Drugs in Spain: Results of the EQUIDAD Study. / Condicionantes de acceso a nuevos medicamentos dermatológicos en España: resultados del proyecto EQUIDAD.

BACKGROUND: Although the Spanish Ministry of Health prepares national therapeutic positioning reports (TPRs) and drug reimbursement policies, each of the country's 17 autonomous communities (ACs) is responsible for health care services and prescription requirements in its territory. The aim of the EQUIDAD study was to describe and explore potential differences in prescription requirements for new dermatology drugs across the autonomous communities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in April and May, 2023. Two dermatologists with management responsibilities from each autonomous community reported on territorial and more local prescription requirements for drugs covered by national TPRs issued between 2016 and 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-three researchers from 17 autonomous communities participated. The data submitted revealed between-community inequities in access to new drugs. Overall, 64.7% of the regions imposed additional prescription requirements to those mentioned in the TPRs for psoriasis. This percentage was lower for atopic dermatitis (35.3%) and melanoma (11.8%). The most common requirement for accessing a new drug was a previous prescription for another drug. Differences and additional requirements were also detected at the local level (i.e., differences between hospitals within the same autonomous community). CONCLUSIONS: Spain's autonomous communities have multiple regional and local prescription requirements that are not aligned with national TPR recommendations. These differences result in inequitable access to new drugs for both patients and practitioners across Spain.

Epidemiología y distribución espacial de la psoriasis pustulosa generalizada en España: un análisis poblacional a nivel nacional basado en datos de ingresos hospitalarios (2016-2020) / Epidemiology and Geographic Distribution of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Spain: A National Population-Based Study of Hospital Admissions from 2016 to 2020

Introducción Existen datos epidemiológicos escasos sobre la psoriasis pustulosa generalizada (PPG). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los casos hospitalizados de PPG en España y evaluar su distribución espacial en el país.Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal utilizando la base de datos de altas hospitalarias del conjunto mínimo básico de datos (CMBD) del Servicio Nacional de Salud. Se incluyeron los pacientes con un diagnóstico principal de psoriasis o un diagnóstico de PPG al alta hospitalaria entre 2016 y 2020. Se realizaron un análisis descriptivo de las características clínicas y sociodemográficas de los pacientes ingresados con PPG y un análisis espacial a nivel provincial, evaluando la presencia de heterogeneidad geográfica y elaborando mapas de enfermedad. identificaron 744 pacientes con un diagnóstico de PPG y 949 casos de otras formas de psoriasis como diagnóstico principal. Los hospitalizados con PPG tenían una edad media de 62,2 años. La proporción de ingresos en la unidad de cuidados intensivos fue del 6,1% y la mortalidad del 4,8%. La tasa de incidencia global de PPG en el periodo de estudio fue de 3,18 casos nuevos hospitalizados por 1.000.000 de personas-año. La distribución espacial de las hospitalizaciones por PPG en España fue heterogénea, con mayores tasas en la región noroeste del país. Conclusiones Describimos las características de los pacientes hospitalizados con PPG en España y proporcionamos la primera aproximación cartográfica de la enfermedad en todo el país. Estos datos podrían ayudar a optimizar futuras investigaciones sobre esta enfermedad y apoyan la existencia de factores de riesgo genéticos o ambientales con una distribución geográfica desigual. (AU)

Introduction Little has been published on the epidemiology of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the geographic distribution of hospital admissions for GPP in Spain. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using the hospital discharge database of the Spanish Basic Minimum Data Set (CMBD), which is a mandatory data set of all admissions to public hospitals in the country. We included patients with a primary diagnosis of psoriasis or GPP at discharge for the period 2016 to 2020. We performed a descriptive analysis of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients admitted with GPP, a spatial analysis at the province level assessing the presence of geographic heterogeneity and a GPP disease map. Results We detected 949 diagnoses of psoriasis and 744 primary diagnoses of GPP. Mean age of patients admitted with GPP was 62.2 years. Intensive care unit admissions were ordered for 6.1% of patients and 4.8% died. The overall incidence rate of GPP among newly hospitalized patients during the study period was 3.18 cases per 1,000,000 person-years. The geographic distribution varied widely, with higher rates observed in the north-west of the country. describe the characteristics of GPP hospitalized patients in Spain and provide the first disease map for the country. The findings could help guide future research and suggest the possibility of genetic or environmental factors driving geographic differences. (AU)

[Translated article] Epidemiology and Geographic Distribution of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Spain: A National Population-Based Study of Hospital Admissions from 2016 to 2020 / Epidemiología y distribución espacial de la psoriasis pustulosa generalizada en España: un análisis poblacional a nivel nacional basado en datos de ingresos hospitalarios (2016-2020)

Introduction Little has been published on the epidemiology of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the geographic distribution of hospital admissions for GPP in Spain. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using the hospital discharge database of the Spanish Basic Minimum Data Set (CMBD), which is a mandatory data set of all admissions to public hospitals in the country. We included patients with a primary diagnosis of psoriasis or GPP at discharge for the period 2016–2020. We performed a descriptive analysis of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients admitted with GPP, a spatial analysis at the province level assessing the presence of geographic heterogeneity and a GPP disease map. Results We detected 949 diagnoses of psoriasis and 744 primary diagnoses of GPP. Mean age of patients admitted with GPP was 62.2 years. Intensive care unit admissions were ordered for 6.1% of patients and 4.8% died. The overall incidence rate of newly hospitalized GPP patients during the study period was 3.18 cases per 1,000,000 person-years. The geographic distribution varied widely, with higher rates observed in the north-west of the country. Conclusions We describe the characteristics of GPP hospitalized patients in Spain and provide the first disease map for the country. The findings could help guide future research and suggest the possibility of genetic or environmental factors driving geographic differences. (AU)

Introducción Existen datos epidemiológicos escasos sobre la psoriasis pustulosa generalizada (PPG). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los casos hospitalizados de PPG en España y evaluar su distribución espacial en el país. Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal utilizando la base de datos de altas hospitalarias del conjunto mínimo básico de datos (CMBD) del Servicio Nacional de Salud. Se incluyeron los pacientes con un diagnóstico principal de psoriasis o un diagnóstico de PPG al alta hospitalaria entre 2016 y 2020. Se realizaron un análisis descriptivo de las características clínicas y sociodemográficas de los pacientes ingresados con PPG y un análisis espacial a nivel provincial, evaluando la presencia de heterogeneidad geográfica y elaborando mapas de enfermedad. Resultados Se identificaron 744 pacientes con un diagnóstico de PPG y 949 casos de otras formas de psoriasis como diagnóstico principal. Los hospitalizados con PPG tenían una edad media de 62,2 años. La proporción de ingresos en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos fue de 6,1% y la mortalidad de 4,8%. La tasa de incidencia global de PPG en el periodo de estudio fue de 3,18 casos nuevos hospitalizados por 1.000.000 de personas-año. La distribución espacial de las hospitalizaciones por PPG en España fue heterogénea, con mayores tasas en la región noroeste del país. Conclusiones Describimos las características de los pacientes hospitalizados con PPG en España y proporcionamos la primera aproximación cartográfica de la enfermedad en todo el país. Estos datos podrían ayudar a optimizar futuras investigaciones sobre esta enfermedad y apoyan la existencia de factores de riesgo genéticos o ambientales con una distribución geográfica desigual. (AU)

Epidemiology and Geographic Distribution of Generalized Pustular Psoriasis in Spain: A National Population-Based Study of Hospital Admissions from 2016 to 2020. / Epidemiología y distribución espacial de la psoriasis pustulosa generalizada en España: un análisis poblacional a nivel nacional basado en datos de ingresos hospitalarios (2016-2020).

INTRODUCTION: Little has been published on the epidemiology of generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP). The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the geographic distribution of hospital admissions for GPP in Spain. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study using the hospital discharge database of the Spanish Basic Minimum Data Set (CMBD), which is a mandatory data set of all admissions to public hospitals in the country. We included patients with a primary diagnosis of psoriasis or GPP at discharge for the period 2016 to 2020. We performed a descriptive analysis of clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients admitted with GPP, a spatial analysis at the province level assessing the presence of geographic heterogeneity and a GPP disease map. RESULTS: We detected 949 diagnoses of psoriasis and 744 primary diagnoses of GPP. Mean age of patients admitted with GPP was 62.2 years. Intensive care unit admissions were ordered for 6.1% of patients and 4.8% died. The overall incidence rate of GPP among newly hospitalized patients during the study period was 3.18 cases per 1,000,000 person-years. The geographic distribution varied widely, with higher rates observed in the north-west of the country. CONCLUSIONS: We describe the characteristics of GPP hospitalized patients in Spain and provide the first disease map for the country. The findings could help guide future research and suggest the possibility of genetic or environmental factors driving geographic differences.