Integrating skin color assessments into clinical practice and research: A review of current approaches.

Skin color classification can have importance in skin health, pigmentary disorders, and oncologic condition assessments. It is also critical for evaluating disease course and response to a variety of therapeutic interventions and aids in accurate classification of participants in clinical research studies. A panel of dermatologists conducted a literature review to assess the strengths and limitations of existing classification scales, as well as to compare their preferences and utilities. We identified 17 skin classification systems utilized in dermatologic settings. These systems include a range of parameters such as UV light reactivity, race, ethnicity, and degree of pigmentation. The Fitzpatrick skin type classification is most widely used and validated. However it has numerous limitations including its conflation with race, ethnicity, and skin color. There is a lack of validation data available for the remaining scales. There are significant deficiencies in current skin classification instruments. Consensus-based initiatives to drive the development of validated and reliable tools are critically needed.

The Skin of Color Society's Meeting the Challenge Summit, 2022: Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials Proceedings.

Importance: Clinical trials remain the cornerstone for determining the safety and efficacy of an intervention. A diverse participant pool in dermatology clinical trials is critical to ensure that results are generalizable among the patient population who will ultimately depend on the efficacy of the intervention. The Skin of Color Society hosted the inaugural Meeting the Challenge Summit: Diversity in Dermatology Clinical Trials in Washington, DC, from June 10 to 11, 2022. The summit was an interactive and collaborative effort to advance discussions regarding the need for broader inclusion of racial and ethnic minority patients in dermatology clinical trials. Observations: The summit focused on 3 principal areas: (1) understanding the current clinical trials landscape; (2) breaking down patient, clinician, industry, and regulatory barriers; and (3) effecting change through a diversity-focused strategy. The program hosted thought-provoking panel talks and discussions with various stakeholder groups, including a keynote presentation from the family of Henrietta Lacks. Conclusions and Relevance: Panel discussions and insightful presentations from physicians, industry leaders, community trailblazers, and patients fostered new collaborations. The summit provided recommendations and suggested strategies for future initiatives designed to increase the representation of minority individuals in dermatology clinical trials.

Microaggressions in Medicine.

Microaggressions are behaviors that stem from implicit bias and occur at an interpersonal level. In medicine, microaggressions may be encountered both in training and clinical practice. Although often unintentional or unconscious by the offender, microaggressions are harmful to the health and safety of women and underrepresented minority (URM) medical students, residents, physicians, other providers, and patients. This article aims to define microaggressions, present example scenarios, and provide discourse regarding microaggressions within the framework of medicine.

Topical, Biological and Clinical Challenges in the Management of Patients with Acne Vulgaris.

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin disorders among adolescents and young adults. It is associated with substantial morbidity and, rarely, with mortality. The exact worldwide incidence and prevalence are currently unknown. Current challenges involve improving understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of acne vulgaris and developing a practical treatment consensus. Expert panel discussions were held in 2013 and 2014 among a group of scientists and clinicians from the Omani and United Arab Emirate Dermatology Societies to ascertain the current optimal management of acne vulgaris, identify clinically relevant end-points and construct suitable methodology for future clinical trial designs. This article reviews the discussions of these sessions and recent literature on this topic.

Dermatologic aspects of thyroid disease.

Thyroid disorders commonly have dermatologic manifestations. The purpose of the present chapter is to review and emphasize potential clinical dermatologic findings that can occur with Graves' disease, hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer. In autoimmune diseases such as Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis the skin manifestations may be related to either thyroid hormone levels themselves or to the associated T and/or B cell abnormalities. Thyroid cancer may be associated with various syndromes that could have significant skin manifestations.

Cultural aspects in the treatment of patients with skin disease.

As the cultural distance between patient and physician widens, so does miscommunication. Negotiation between the belief systems of the physician and the patient may create a therapeutic environment of mutual trust and respect that increases the possibility of successful clinical outcomes.