Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for November 2015. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Neurotoxicity Seen With Acyclovir at Recommended Dose in Dialysis
MONDAY, Nov. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Acyclovir-induced neurotoxicity should be considered for patients with herpes zoster on hemodialysis, according to a case report published online Nov. 21 in the Journal of Dermatology.
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Novel Technique Described for Full Thickness Scalp Defects
MONDAY, Nov. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Reconstruction of scalp defects including application of Integra bilayer wound matrix followed by delayed split-thickness skin grafting results in low morbidity, with minimal wound care, according to a study published online Nov. 25 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dermatologic Drug Prices Up Substantially From 2009
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Between 2009 and 2015, retail prices of brand-name dermatologic drugs rose 401 percent, on average, and generics were up 279 percent between 2011 and 2014, according to research published online Nov. 25 in JAMA Dermatology.
AAFP Recommends Doctors Explore Use of Social Media
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The use of social media channels and associated benefits for physicians are highlighted in a recent article published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). And guidelines are provided for physicians wishing to become active in social media.
Topical Retinol Induces Skin Changes Similar to Retinoic Acid
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Both retinol and retinoic acid have beneficial effects on cellular and molecular properties of the epidermis and dermis, according to a study published online Nov. 18 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Melatonin May Improve Sleep in Children With Atopic Dermatitis
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 25, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Melatonin might improve sleep patterns for children with atopic dermatitis (AD), according to research published online Nov. 16 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Instrument Assesses Competency in Detecting Melanoma
TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The Skin Cancer Objective Structured Clinical Examination is a well-developed instrument that can assess medical student competency in detecting melanoma, according to research published in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
ACP: Physicians Should Prescribe Generic Meds If Possible
TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physicians should prescribe generic medications whenever possible, keeping in mind that generics have comparable effectiveness to brand name medications and are associated with reduced costs and increased adherence, according to new guidelines published online Nov. 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Microneedle, Sublative Fractional Radiofrequency Aids Acne Scars
TUESDAY, Nov. 24, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Combined microneedle fractional radiofrequency and sublative fractional radiofrequency is safe and efficacious for acne scars in Asian skin, according to a study published online Nov. 18 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Music Can Help Doctors Develop Relationships With Patients
TUESDAY, Nov. 24 2015 (HealthDay News) — For one physician, writing songs has improved her self-awareness and strengthened her relationships with patients, according to an article published by the American Medical Association.
Blackcurrant Juice Doesn’t Provide Photoprotection
MONDAY, Nov. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Blackcurrant juice consumption with low or high vitamin C content is not associated with photoprotection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Liposuction Offers Long-Lasting Benefits for Lipoedema
FRIDAY, Nov. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with lipoedema, liposuction offers lasting benefits, with similar benefits seen at four and eight years after surgery, according to a study published online Nov. 17 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Excellent Durability for Direct Immunofluorescence Slides
THURSDAY, Nov. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) slides are durable when kept at room temperature for five years, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology.
E-Portfolio Developed to Assess Millennial Med Students
THURSDAY, Nov. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Electronic portfolios are being used to transform medical students’ assessments and track progress as students advance through medical training, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Microneedling Found Beneficial for Photoaged Skin
THURSDAY, Nov. 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with photoaging, skin microneedling is a promising treatment option, which increases collagen production, according to a study published in the December issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
Burnout Reduces Readiness to Change Teaching Approaches
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Occupational burnout appears to reduce clinical faculty members’ readiness to change teaching approaches, according to a study published online Nov. 13 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
Review: El Niño Southern Oscillation Has Effects on Skin
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate phenomenon impacts skin and skin-related disease, according to a review published in the December issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
AAFP: Expected 0.5 Percent Pay Increase Reduced to Zero
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A small but promised Medicare pay increase has effectively been reduced to zero for all physician specialties, according to the final 2016 Medicare physician fee schedule and a report published by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Head Lice infestation Could Cause Iron Deficiency Anemia
TUESDAY, Nov. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Head lice infestation could cause iron deficiency anemia in the absence of any other cause, according to a case report published online Nov. 5 in BMJ Case Reports.
Noon Best Time to Get Vitamin D From Sun for Minimal Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, Nov. 12, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Variations in ultraviolet (UV) A and B radiation with increasing latitude and during the day impact skin cancer risk, according to a study published online Nov. 6 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
ACP Issues Guidance on ‘Concierge’ Practices
TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Direct patient contracting practices (DPCPs), in which patients pay out of pocket for some or all services provided by the practice, are growing in popularity, according to a position paper published online Nov. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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FDA Approves Cotellic for Advanced Melanoma
TUESDAY, Nov. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cotellic (cobimetinib) in combination with another chemotherapy, vemurafenib (Zelboraf), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat melanoma skin cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed, and that has a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, the agency said Tuesday in a news release.
Expanding Rooming, Discharge Office Protocols Can Save Time
MONDAY, Nov. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Expanding protocols for rooming and discharge can allow physicians to free up an hour or more of time per day, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Web-Based CBT Program Cuts Suicidal Ideation in Interns
MONDAY, Nov. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A web-based cognitive behavioral therapy (wCBT) program is effective for preventing suicidal ideation among medical interns, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in JAMA Psychiatry.
AHA-RC, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid Combo Beneficial for Acne
MONDAY, Nov. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A combination of alpha-hydroxy acid retinoid conjugate (AHA-RC), salicylic acid, and lactic acid is efficacious for patients with acne, with improvement after four weeks of treatment, according to a study published online Oct. 30 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Updated Checklist for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
FRIDAY, Nov. 6, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An updated list of 30 essential items should be included in every report of a diagnostic accuracy study, according to the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) 2015. These new guidelines have been published in several journals, including Radiology, Clinical Chemistry, and The BMJ.
Doctors Who Order More Tests Have Fewer Malpractice Claims
THURSDAY, Nov. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) –The more tests and treatments U.S. doctors order for patients, the less likely they are to be sued for malpractice, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in The BMJ.
Poll: Americans Want Health Care Costs Kept in Check
THURSDAY, Nov. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans now support aggressive regulation to keep health care costs in check — including price caps on drugs, medical devices, and payments to doctors and hospitals, a new HealthDay/Harris Poll has found.
ACP Joins Amicus Curiae Brief to Supreme Court
THURSDAY, Nov. 5, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The American College of Physicians (ACP) has joined other organizations in an amicus curiae brief to the Supreme Court, urging the court to uphold considerations of race and ethnicity in the medical school admissions process.
Sirolimus Safe Adjunct to Pulsed Dye Laser in Port Wine Stain
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Adjunct topical sirolimus seems to be safe and effective in combination with pulsed dye laser (PDL) for treatment of port wine stain (PWS), according to a case study published online Oct. 26 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
AMA: 6 Steps to Help Ensure Patients Get Preventive Care
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Panel management, or population health management, can help physicians provide necessary preventive and chronic care to all patients regardless of their visit frequency, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Doctors Should Consider Financial Factors Before Career Change
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Financial and other factors should be considered before physicians change career direction, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Prescription Medication Use on the Rise in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Nov. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More Americans than ever are taking prescription drugs, as well as using more of them, according to research published in the Nov. 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
New Electronic Health Record Regulations Released
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — New electronic health record (EHR) regulations modify Stage 2 of the meaningful use program and finalize requirements for Stage 3, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
H. pylori Triple Therapy Linked to Erythema Multiforme
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori can cause erythema multiforme, according to a case study published online Oct. 28 in The Journal of Dermatology.
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HPV Tied to Pyogenic Granuloma in Patients Without Warts
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In patients without clinical evidence of warts, human papillomavirus type 2 (HPV-2) is associated with pyogenic granuloma, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Age at Menopause, Hormone Therapy Linked to BCC Risk
TUESDAY, Nov. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Late age at natural menopause and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use are associated with increased risk of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), according to a study published online Nov. 2 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Prescribing Drugs ‘Off-Label’ Can Pose Serious Safety Risks
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Off-label drug use puts patients at risk for serious side effects, especially when scientific evidence is lacking, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Competition for Fellowships Broke Records in 2015
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — According to the American Medical Association (AMA), 2015 was a record-breaking year for fellowship applications.
Vitiligo Can Mask Symptoms of Acanthosis Nigricans
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Vitiligo can mask symptoms of acanthosis nigricans (AN), according to a case report published in the November issue of the International Journal of Dermatology.
Displaying Prices to Providers Seems to Reduce Order Costs
MONDAY, Nov. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Displaying order prices to physicians seems to reduce order costs, according to a review published online Oct. 23 in the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
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