[Referral with images--equitable and cost-effective care]. / Remiss med bild ­ jämlik och kostnadseffektiv vård - Kortare tid till diagnos och färre långa patientresor.

This study evaluates the use of teledermatology at Norrland University Hospital in Northern Sweden between 2009 and 2014. In total, there were 27 198 incoming referrals. Of these, 1504 had photo attachments, and could be answered directly without a face-to-face appointment. Most of these referrals (73%) came from health care providers more than 100 kilometres away and 71% were answered within a week. Patients received care sooner and saved both time and money by less travelling. Teledermatology lead to less delay to a face-to-face appointment for patients where teledermatology was not an option.

A double-blind study comparing the effect of glycerin and urea on dry, eczematous skin in atopic patients.

Moisturizing creams have beneficial effects in the treatment of dry, scaly skin, but they may induce adverse skin reactions. In a randomized double-blind study, 197 patients with atopic dermatitis were treated with one of the following: a new moisturizing cream with 20% glycerin, its cream base without glycerin as placebo, or a cream with 4% urea and 4% sodium chloride. The patients were asked to apply the cream at least once daily for 30 days. Adverse skin reactions and changes in skin dryness were assessed by the patient and a dermatologist. Adverse skin reactions such as smarting (a sharp local superficial sensation) were felt significantly less among patients using the 20% glycerin cream compared with the urea-saline cream, because 10% of the patients judged the smarting as severe or moderate when using glycerin cream, whereas 24% did so using urea-saline cream (p < 0.0006). No differences were found regarding skin reactions such as stinging, itching and dryness/irritation. The study showed equal effects on skin dryness as judged by the patients and the dermatologist. In conclusion, a glycerin containing cream appears to be a suitable alternative to urea/sodium chloride in the treatment of atopic dry skin.