Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for December 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.
AMA: Burnout Is Top Issue for Physicians in 2015
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Physician burnout is the top issue for physicians in 2015, according to a report published by the American Medical Association (AMA).
Timing of DTaP Vaccine Not Tied to Food Allergies at Age 1 Year
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Timing of the diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccination is not tied to child food allergies; however, children with delayed DTaP have less eczema, according to a study published online Dec. 28 in Allergy.
Infantile Hemangioma Incidence Up Over Past Three Decades
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 30, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of infantile hemangiomas (IH) has increased over the past three decades, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Higher Hospital Prices in U.S. ‘Monopoly Markets’
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Prices at hospitals in monopoly markets are 15 percent higher than those at hospitals in areas with at least four providers, according to research published recently at the Health Care Pricing Project website.
Empirical Treatment More Cost-Effective for Onychomycosis
MONDAY, Dec. 28, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with suspected onychomycosis, empirical treatment with terbinafine is more cost-effective than confirmatory testing, according to a study published online Dec. 23 in JAMA Dermatology.
Anti-TNF Treatment Ups ANA Positivity in Psoriasis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with psoriasis, treatment with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents is associated with increased rates of antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity, according to a letter to the editor published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Daylight Photodynamic Therapy Effective, Safe for Acne
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Daylight photodynamic therapy with a novel variant of unsaturated ALA ester, 3-butenyl 5-aminolevulinate hydrochloride (ALA-bu), is effective and well tolerated for acne, according to a study published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Specific, Consistent ICD-10 Coding Key to Timely Payments
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) — In order to prevent denials, it is important to code correctly within the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), with specificity matching documentation, according to an article published in Medical Economics.
Affordable Care Act Has Improved Access to Care, Affordability
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has improved access to care and affordability of care for many adults, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs.
Cryotherapy + Imiquimod Active in Cutaneous Melanoma Mets
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Cryotherapy combined with topical imiquimod 5 percent is an active treatment for locoregional cutaneous metastases of melanoma (LCMM), according to research published online Dec. 12 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Acral Pigmented Lesions More Common on Darker Skin
FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2015 (HealthDay News) — People with darker skin are about one-third more likely to have acral pigmented lesions on their palms and soles, according to a study published online Dec. 14 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Ascorbic Acid Patch Reduces Wrinkles Due to Photoaging
THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — An ascorbic acid (AA)-loaded dissolving microneedle (DMN) patch is feasible and has anti-wrinkle effect, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.
Contraceptive Provision Rates Low for Teen Girls on Teratogens
THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The rates of contraceptive provision for adolescents prescribed teratogens are low, according to a review published online Dec. 16 in Pediatrics.
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Industry Outpacing NIH in Funding Research
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2015 (HealthDay News) — There’s been a sharp rise in the number of industry-funded clinical trials and a significant decline in those financed by the U.S. government in recent years, according to findings published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Greater Sweat Reduction for Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Twenty percent aluminum chloride hexahydrate reduces axillary sweating more effectively than 1 percent aluminum acetate, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
CO2 Fractional Laser Effective for Hypertrophic Burn Scars
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment is effective for hypertrophic burn scars, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
Salty Food Intake Tied to Acne Development
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Consuming salty foods may be a significant factor contributing to the development of acne, according to a study published online Dec. 9 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
New Model of Inpatient Care Can Improve Outcomes
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of a new model of care can improve outcomes of care in medical and surgical units, according to a study published in the December issue of the Journal of Hospital Medicine.
Toxic Skin Effects Common With EGFR-TKI Use in NSCLC
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) is associated with skin toxic effects, according to a research letter study published online Dec. 10 in JAMA Dermatology.
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MITF p.E318K Prevalence Similar, Regardless of CDKN2A
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of MITF p.E318K is similar in patients with melanoma, irrespective of the presence of CDKN2A mutations, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in JAMA Dermatology.
Seven Behaviors Suggested to Improve ‘Art of Medicine’
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Seven behaviors should be implemented to improve the art of medicine, which can help improve relationships with patients, according to an article published in Family Practice Management.
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Noninvasive Scan Promising Alternative to Biopsy in Skin CA
THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A team from Germany now reports that a new audio-visual imaging technique looks as effective as surgery for identifying melanoma metastasis. The findings were published in the Dec. 9 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Percentage of Graduates Entering GME Stable Over Past Decade
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Despite an increase in the number of U.S. medical school graduates, over the past decade the percentage entering graduate medical education (GME) training has remained stable, according to a research letter published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
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Staged Surgical Excision Superior for Treatment of Lentigo Maligna
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with lentigo maligna, staged surgical excision is associated with a low rate of recurrence, according to research published online Nov. 30 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Depression Not Uncommon Among Resident Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2015 (HealthDay News) — More than one in four doctors-in-training may be depressed, which could put their patients at risk, according to a study published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
Med Ed Can Be Improved for High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The combination of effective transmission of knowledge, facilitation of reflective practice, and a supportive environment can educate physicians to deliver high-value, cost-conscious care, according to a review published in the Dec. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, a theme issue on medical education.
CDC: Fewer Americans Struggling With Medical Bills
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Fewer American families are struggling to pay medical bills, according to a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Linked to Oxidative Stress
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is associated with increased total oxidative status and oxidative stress index values, according to a study published online Dec. 1 in the International Journal of Dermatology.
Skin Lesions for 29 Percent With Anti-TNF Treatment in IBD
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — For patients with inflammatory bowel disease treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, skin lesions frequently develop but rarely necessitate treatment discontinuation, according to research published online Dec. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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U.S. Health Care Spending Increased in 2014
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The expansion of insurance coverage and increases in retail prescription drug spending contributed to an increase in total national health care expenditures in 2014, according to a report published online Dec. 2 in Health Affairs.
Glove-Related Hand Urticaria May Be Rising in Health Care Workers
FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Health care workers are at high risk of glove-related hand urticaria, an occupational issue that may be increasing, according to a research letter published online Nov. 27 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Vitamin C, E, Ferulic Acid Speed Post-Laser Wound Healing
FRIDAY, Dec. 4, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Laser-assisted delivery of vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid can decrease postoperative recovery time in fractional ablative laser resurfacing for photo damage, according to a study published online Nov. 27 in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
AMA: Case Before Supreme Court Threatens Patient Privacy
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — A case before the Supreme Court is potentially threatening patient confidentiality, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Evidence Doesn’t Support Monthly Labs With Isotretinoin
THURSDAY, Dec. 3, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Less frequent laboratory monitoring may be safe for patients receiving isotretinoin for acne as changes in mean values of several laboratory tests do not meet a priori criteria for high-risk, according to research published online Dec. 2 in JAMA Dermatology.
USPSTF: Insufficient Evidence for Visual Skin Cancer Screening
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has found that there is currently insufficient evidence to weigh the benefits and harms of visual skin cancer screening in adults. These findings form the basis of a draft recommendation statement published online Nov. 30 by the USPSTF.
Draft Evidence Review
Draft Recommendation Statement
Comment on Recommendation
Burnout Rates on the Rise for Physicians
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, 2015 (HealthDay News) — Burnout is a growing problem among American doctors, according to research published in the December issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
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