A Comparison of Alternative Medicine Users and Non-Users in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa patients often seek non-prescription therapies. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of alternative medicine use and characterize the differences between patients who report using alternative medications versus those who do not. METHODS: We surveyed 67 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa regarding demographics, alternative medicine use, disease severity, and quality of life. RESULTS: 25 (37.2%) of the HS subjects reported alternative medicine use. Alternative medicine users tended to be younger (36.7 vs 40.8 years), have a shorter time since diagnosis (12.6 vs14.6 years), and reported worse quality of life (14.1 vs 11.0) than non-users. These differences were not statistically significant. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included a small sample size. CONCLUSION: Alternative medicine use among patients with hidradenitis is common regardless of disease severity; even mild disease may drive patients to seek alternative treatment. J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(10):1072-1074. doi:10.36849/JDD.6046.

Adherence to levetiracetam for management of epilepsy: Assessment with electronic monitors.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-seizure medications are used to manage epilepsy and require long-term adherence to maintain therapeutic drug levels. We assessed adherence to levetiracetam and the use of a digital intervention to improve adherence in patients with epilepsy. METHODS: 30 participants with epilepsy were randomized 1:1 either to a digital email adherence intervention or control group. All patients were provided levetiracetam equipped with electronic monitoring caps to assess patient adherence to medication. Patients were followed for 6 months, with return visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: Subjects randomized to the control arm (n = 15) took 66% of the prescribed doses compared to the intervention group, who took 65% of prescribed doses (n = 15). Nine participants did not complete the study. Of the twenty-one participants that completed the study, the overall rate of adherence was 72% of prescribed doses taken. Two subjects in the control group and three subjects in the intervention group were adherent every month of the study-taking at least 80% of prescribed doses. Those randomized to the control group took the correct number of doses 44% of days in the study, and those in the intervention group took the correct number of doses 37% of days. DISCUSSION: Poor adherence to levetiracetam is common. An internet-based email survey intervention did not improve adherence to levetiracetam in epilepsy patients. Further advances in adherence are needed to help patients receive the maximum benefit of their medical treatments.

The dermatology residency application process.

The dermatology application process is grueling, that is tough to navigate without the proper guidance. This commentary is meant to shed light on the factors that can help applicants stand out in order to be successful in the match. It includes observations from successful applicants from the most recent match process.

Patients' Perspectives of Diagnostic Error: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVES: The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defines diagnostic error as the failure to establish an accurate or timely explanation for the patient's health problem(s) or effectively communicate the explanation to the patient. Using this definition, we sought to characterize diagnostic errors experienced by patients and describe patient perspectives on causes, impacts, and prevention strategies. METHODS: We conducted interviews of adults hospitalized at an academic medical center. We used the framework of the IOM definition of diagnostic error to perform thematic analysis of qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize quantitative data. RESULTS: Based on the IOM's definition of diagnostic error, 27 of the 69 included patients reported at least one diagnostic error in the past 5 years. The errors were distributed evenly across the following three dimensions of the IOM definition: accuracy, communication, and timeliness. Limited time with doctors, communication, clinical assessment, and clinical management emerged as major themes for causes of diagnostic error and for strategies to reduce diagnostic error. Impacts of errors included emotional distress, adverse health outcomes, and impaired activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: This study uses the recent IOM definition of diagnostic error to provide insights into diagnostic error from the patient perspective. We found that diagnostic errors were commonly reported by hospitalized adults and have a profound impact on patients' well-being. Patients' insights regarding potential causes and prevention strategies may help identify opportunities to reduce diagnostic errors.

Emotional Well-Being Is Impaired in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition. OBJECTIVE: To measure emotional well-being in HS patients and compare to other populations, assess if there is an effect of disease severity on emotional well-being, and determine if emotional well-being is correlated with quality of life and depression. METHODS: A total of 153 HS subjects were recruited, and 66 Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) surveys assessing emotional well-being were completed. Norms for comparison populations (disease-free undergraduates and adults) were used. A validated self-assessment tool was used to determine disease severity. Subjects completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) to examine depression and quality of life, respectively. RESULTS: HS subjects had lower positive affect than undergraduates and higher negative affect than adults. There were no differences in PANAS scores by Hurley stage (p > 0.05). PANAS scores for HS subjects correlated with worse quality of life (r = 0.66, p < 0.00001) and depression (r = 0.74, p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: HS patients have poor emotional well-being. PANAS scores correlated with worse quality of life and depression. Providing appropriate resources and treatments may be beneficial for HS patients.

A review of topical corticosteroid sprays for the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses.

BACKGROUND: Topical corticosteroids are available in many vehicles. However, patients' preference for vehicles are variable and could be tailored to maximize patient adherence. Spray vehicles may offer, convenience, and strong efficacy. METHODS: A literature review was conducted using keywords: clobetasol, desoximetasone, betamethasone, triamcinolone, corticosteroid, topical, spray, vehicles, treatment, and clinical trial. RESULTS: For moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, 87% of subjects achieved an Overall Disease Severity (ODS) Score ≤2 at week two and 78% achieved an ODS ≤1 after four weeks with clobetasol propionate (CP) 0.05% spray compared to 17% and 3% in the control group, respectively (P<0.001). For desoximetasone 0.25% spray, 31%-53% with moderate-to-severe psoriasis achieve Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score ≤1 at day 28 versus 5%-18% in the vehicle spray group (P<0.01). For betamethasone dipropionate 0.05% spray, 19% with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis achieved an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score ≤1 or a 2-grade reduction in IGA versus 2.3% in vehicle group (P≤0.001). For mild-to-severe steroid responsive inflammatory dermatoses, 64% using triamcinolone acetonide 0.2% spray achieved clear or almost clear skin at day 14 (no P value reported). Adverse events including burning, irritation, and dryness were similar across all corticosteroids.

Review of Graft-Versus-Host Disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an adverse immunologic phenomenon following allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Cutaneous manifestations are the earliest and most common presentation of the disease. This article describes the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options available for acute and chronic GVHD. Acute and chronic GVHD result from an initial insult triggering an exaggerated inflammatory cascade. Clinical presentation for cutaneous acute GVHD is limited to maculopapular rash and oral mucosal lesions, whereas chronic GVHD can also include nail, scalp, and genitalia changes. Diagnosis is often made clinically and supported by biopsy, laboratory and radiology findings.

Marshall Islands Pinworm.

Pinworm infections are usually under the spectrum of the Infectious Diseases department, however, they can fall into a gastroenterologist's lap when found incidentally during a screening colonoscopy. This case expands on the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of pinworms in the patient and household.

A safety review of recent advancements in the treatment of psoriasis: analysis of clinical trial safety data.

INTRODUCTION: The management of psoriasis can include oral medications and injectable biologics. Safety data of these various treatment options are important to consider when choosing the right treatment for the patient. AREAS COVERED: This review evaluates the safety of newer treatments approved for psoriasis, including interleukin-(IL)-17 inhibitors, IL-23/p19 inhibitors, ustekinumab, certolizumab pegol and apremilast, using phases III and IV clinical trial data. EXPERT OPINION: Even as treatment of psoriasis becomes safer, it is important to recognize both common and uncommon adverse effects of treatment. Common adverse effects are similar across treatment options, including upper respiratory infection and injection-site reaction. Serious adverse effects occur less frequently and specific to the psoriasis treatment option, such as inflammatory bowel disease and candida infections with IL-17 inhibitors, tuberculosis with certolizumab pegol, and psychiatric events with apremilast. While IL-23/p19 inhibitors may have a slightly better safety profile than other biologics, long-term data are limited. The conclusions that can be drawn from clinical trial safety data are limited given that many clinical trials are not large enough to detect rare safety events. Data from registries provide important complementary information on long-term safety but there are limitations including a lack of randomized assignment between drug treatments.

Diet and psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with psoriasis have a growing interest in managing their disease through diet. OBJECTIVE: This review paper aims to analyze dietary interventions for psoriasis and their outcome. METHODS: Terms "psoriasis AND diet" were used to search PubMed database and 63 articles describing dietary changes influencing psoriasis were selected. RESULTS: Low calorie diet (LCD) improves Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in conjunction with topical or systemic therapy, although LCD was unsuccessful in maintaining disease remission when patients discontinued concomitant cyclosporine or methotrexate therapy. A fish oil diet improved baseline PASI of 7.7 to 5.3 at three months and 2.6 at 6 months compared to control (PASI: 8.9, 7.8, and 7.8, respectively). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigating selenium supplementation in psoriasis provided no PASI improvement. Zinc supplementation with concomitant betamethasone valerate 0.0025% ointment in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study provided a mean PASI of 11.2 in the intervention group and 8.0 in the control group with no significant difference between both arms. Gluten free diet and vitamin D supplementation were also efficacious dietary changes although results were mixed. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary changes alone do not cause a large effect in psoriasis but may become an important adjunct to current first line treatments.

Validation of a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Self-Assessment Tool.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating dermatologic condition presenting with recurrent abscesses. While there are multiple scales to determine HS severity, none are designed for self-administration. A validated severity self-assessment tool may facilitate survey research and improve communication by allowing patients to objectively report their HS severity between clinic visits. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess a self-administered HS measure. METHODS: An HS self-assessment tool (HSSA) with 10 photographs of different Hurley stages was developed. The tool was administered to patients diagnosed with HS who visited the Wake Forest Baptist Health dermatology clinic over a span of 2 months. Physician-administered Hurley stage was recorded to determine criterion validity. To assess test-retest reliability of the measure, patients completed the HSSA again at least 30 minutes after the first completion. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients completed the measure, and 20 of these patients completed it twice. Agreement between physician-determined Hurley stage and self-determined Hurley stage was 66.7% with a weighted kappa of 0.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.30-0.84). The weighted kappa for agreement between patients' initial and second completion of the HSSA was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.64-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: The self-administered measure provides moderate agreement with physician-determined Hurley stage and good test-retest reliability.

Topical Retinoids in Acne Vulgaris: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Topical retinoids are a first-line treatment for acne vulgaris. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of topical retinoids approved in the United States for the treatment of acne vulgaris. METHODS: A PubMed and Embase search was conducted using the search terms 'adapalene,' 'tretinoin,' 'tazarotene,' and 'acne vulgaris.' Selection of articles fit the following inclusion criteria: clinical trials evaluating both efficacy and safety/tolerability of topical retinoids approved in the United States for the treatment of acne vulgaris and published between January 1, 2008 and September 1, 2018. Exclusion criteria included clinical trials involving 20 subjects or fewer, subjects under 12 years of age, and topical retinoid combination therapies with moisturizers or aloe vera. Of 424 search results found, a total of 54 clinical trials were chosen based on selection criteria. RESULTS: Topical retinoids are superior to vehicle in improving Investigator Global Assessment and Investigator's Static Global Assessment (24.1-28.8% and 13.3-17.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). A topical retinoid combined with benzoyl peroxide led to IGA improvement compared with vehicle (26.1-34.9% vs 7-11.8%; p < 0.001) at Week 12. Topical retinoid plus an oral antibiotic was superior to vehicle in reducing lesion counts (64-78.9% vs 41-56.8%, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in efficacy between tretinoin and tazarotene. Tretinoin 0.05% resulted in 62% of patients experiencing AEs compared with adapalene 0.1% (19%) and adapalene 0.3% (40%). More patients receiving adapalene were tolerant of the AEs compared with tazarotene (55.4% vs 24.4%; p < 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: Topical retinoids are safe and efficacious for the treatment of acne vulgaris. They should be used in combination with benzoyl peroxide to optimize results in patients. The differences in efficacy of topical retinoids appears minor; therefore, the type of topical retinoid is not as important as choosing a particular strength of topical retinoid and combining it with an antimicrobial agent. Adapalene has a superior tolerability profile amongst topical retinoids.

Tildrakizumab: A Review of Phase II and III Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVE: Tildrakizumab, an inhibitor of the p19 subunit of interleukin (IL)-23, was recently Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. This article will review the phase II and III clinical trial data of tildrakizumab. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed search from January 2000 to September 2018 was done with the search terms tildrakizumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, p19, interleukin-23, and psoriasis. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Articles discussing phase II and III clinical trial data for tildrakizumab were selected. DATA SYNTHESIS: In phase II and phase III trials, tildrakizumab was safe and efficacious compared with placebo and etanercept. More patients achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 receiving tildrakizumab (200 mg, 62%-74%; 100 mg, 61%-66%; 25 mg, 64%; 5 mg, 33%) compared with placebo (4%-6%, P < 0.0001) and etanercept (48%, P = 0.01). More patients achieved Physician Global Assessment (PGA) response of "clear" or "minimal" receiving tildrakizumab (200 mg, 59%; 100 mg, 55%-58%) than the placebo group (4%-7%, P < 0.0001). 59% of patients who received tildrakizumab 200 mg achieved a PGA response of "clear" or "minimal" compared with etanercept (48%, P = 0.0031). The most common adverse effect was infection. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: Tildrakizumab is a new, FDA-approved, physician-administered biological therapy for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. It appears to be efficacious and safe so far. CONCLUSION: Tildrakizumab is efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. IL-23/p19 inhibitors are a promising class of biological therapy.