Home Dermatology May 2019 Briefing – Dermatology

May 2019 Briefing – Dermatology

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for May 2019. 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.

CDC: Reported Measles Cases Reach 971

FRIDAY, May 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Five months into 2019, the number of measles cases in the United States has now reached 971, the largest number since 1992 when 963 total cases were reported for the year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.

Lupus Manifestations Appear to Differ by Race, Ethnicity

FRIDAY, May 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) vary by racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online May 22 in Arthritis Care & Research.

High Costs Associated With Physician Burnout in U.S.

THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — High costs are associated with physician turnover and reduced clinical hours attributed to burnout, according to a study published online May 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Reading Visit Notes May Improve Medication Management

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Reading clinical notes can help patients to understand why medications are prescribed and improves medication adherence for some patients, according to a brief research report published online May 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Eczema-Related School Absences Higher Among Blacks, Hispanics

WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Hispanic and black children are more likely than white children to miss school due to atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a research letter published online May 22 in JAMA Dermatology.

Women’s Facial Moisturizers Cost More Per Ounce Than Men’s

FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Facial moisturizers marketed to women are significantly more expensive than comparable moisturizers marketed to men, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.

Homemade Sunscreen Recipes Commonly Shared, Offer Low Protection

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is widespread public interest in and acceptance of homemade sunscreens, even though they often do not offer sufficient protection from ultraviolet radiation, according to a study published online May 20 in Health Communication.

Clinical Drug Diversion Costly to Health Care Organizations

TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health care organizations lost nearly $454 million due to clinical drug diversion in 2018, according to the 2019 Drug Diversion Digest, released by Protenus Inc.

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Private Insurers Pay 241 Percent of What Medicare Would Pay

FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prices paid to hospitals for privately insured patients in 2017 averaged 241 percent of what Medicare would have paid, with wide variation in prices among states, according to a report published by the RAND Corporation.

Many Lives Could Be Saved if All Hospitals Had Grade A Rating

FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 50,000 lives could be saved if all hospitals had an avoidable death rate equivalent to “A” grade hospitals, according to an updated report prepared for The Leapfrog Institute.

Recs Updated for TB Screening, Treatment in Health Care Workers

THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been updated for screening and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) infection among health care personnel, according to research published in the May 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

FDA: Tattoo Inks Recalled Due to Bacterial Contamination

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Six tattoo inks have been recalled because they are contaminated with bacteria and could lead to infection that poses a serious health risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.

Two-Thirds of Sunscreens Fail Safety Tests

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly two-thirds of sunscreens that were analyzed failed safety tests proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Working Group said Wednesday.

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CDC: Racial Disparity Seen With Lupus-Related Deaths

WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Mortality from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is significantly higher among blacks, according to research published in the May 10 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

CDC: U.S. Measles Cases in 2019 Reach 839

MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of reported measles cases in the United States climbed to 839 as of last week, the highest yearly total in 25 years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday.

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More Information: CDC

Patients Find Note Reading Important for Health Management

MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients find note reading important for their health management and are rarely troubled by what they read, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

Fournier Gangrene Is Safety Concern With SGLT2 Inhibitors

MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Fournier gangrene (FG) is a safety concern for adults with diabetes receiving treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, according to a study published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Infection Risk Lower With Certain Psoriasis Treatments

MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with psoriasis treated with systemic medications, the risk for serious infection is reduced for new users of apremilast, etanercept, and ustekinumab versus methotrexate, according to a study published online May 10 in JAMA Dermatology.

Health Professionals Supportive of Medicinal Cannabis

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Health professionals are generally supportive of medicinal cannabis use but report a lack of knowledge about its use, according to a review published online May 6 in PLOS ONE.

Model Predicts Counties at Risk for Measles Outbreak

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a commentary published online May 9 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, an analysis is proposed that can predict counties at risk for a measles outbreak.

Doctors Aware of Patient Difficulties Affording Medical Care

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians are aware of patients’ difficulty with affording medical care and consider out-of-pocket costs in their decision making, according to an article published in a supplement to the May 7 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Sharing Data With Surgeons Can Reduce Overuse of Mohs Surgery

FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Sharing personalized practice pattern data with physicians that is benchmarked to national data for their peers can reduce overuse of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) among outliers, according to a study published online May 5 in JAMA Dermatology.

2018 Saw More Employed Physicians Than Self-Employed

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, employed physicians outnumbered self-employed physicians, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).

ACS Sets Goal to Cut Cancer Mortality 40 Percent by 2035

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The American Cancer Society (ACS) has set a goal of a 40 percent reduction in overall cancer mortality by 2035, according to a study published online May 8 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Higher Risk for Mental Disorders Seen in Patients With Psoriasis

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk for mental disorders, with time to onset starting within two to three months after diagnosis, according to two research letters published online May 8 in JAMA Dermatology.

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CDC: Uninsurance Levels Did Not Change Significantly in 2018

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, the percentage of U.S. individuals who were uninsured was not significantly different from the numbers in 2017, although uninsurance increased among adults aged 45 to 64 years, according to a report published online May 9 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.

Risk for Cancer Increased in Men, Women With T2DM

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Men and women with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have an increased risk for overall cancer and some site-specific cancers, according to a study published online May 9 in the Journal of Diabetes.

Lupus Affects Emotional, Mental Well-Being of Patients

THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 60 percent of patients with lupus report that the disease has a large effect on their emotional and mental well-being, according to a report published online May 9 by the World Lupus Federation.

Prices Will Soon Be Included in TV Drug Ads

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In response to public demands for action to control drug costs, the top U.S. health official says TV advertisements for prescription drugs will soon have to include prices.

AP News Article

Scientology Cruise Ship Passengers, Crew Still Under Quarantine

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Hundreds of passengers and crew members of a Church of Scientology cruise ship remain under quarantine in its home port of Curacao while awaiting measles test results.

ABC News Article
More Information: CDC

In 2015 to 2016, 45.8 Percent of U.S. Population Used Rx Drugs

WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2015 to 2016, 45.8 percent of the U.S. population used prescription drugs within the past 30 days, according to a May data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

External Reference Pricing Could Cut Drug Costs in U.S.

TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The average price for single-source brand-name drugs is higher in the United States than in other countries, indicating that external reference pricing could reduce costs, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.

Efforts Needed to Ensure Publication of All Trials

TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Efforts are needed to ensure all completed large trials are reported, according to a research letter published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

CDC: Number of Measles Cases in the United States Reaches 764

MONDAY, May 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — At least 60 more measles cases have been reported in the United States, bringing the total so far this year to 764, health officials said Monday.

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More Information: CDC

Maximal Use of Sunscreen Ups Absorption of Active Ingredients

MONDAY, May 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Application of commercially available sunscreens under maximum use conditions results in plasma concentrations that exceed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration threshold for potentially waiving nonclinical toxicology testing, according to a study published online May 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Lifetime Risk for Brain Mets Up in Elderly With Three Common Cancers

FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Elderly patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma are at increased risk for brain metastases (BMs) later in life, according to a study published online May 3 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

More Than Half of U.S. Adults Have Medical Financial Hardship

FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Medical financial hardship affects more than half of adults in the United States, according to a study published online May 1 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Measles Case Leads to Quarantine of Cruise Ship in St. Lucia

THURSDAY, May 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A case of measles has led to the quarantine of a cruise ship with nearly 300 passengers and crew on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, health officials reported Wednesday. They said that one female crew member has a confirmed case of measles and that the ship has been under quarantine since Monday morning. The ship is scheduled to leave late Thursday, NBC News reported.

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More Information: CDC

Psoriasis Symptoms, Quality of Life Tied to Disease Severity

THURSDAY, May 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patient-reported symptoms of psoriasis, quality of life, and work productivity worsen with increasing disease severity, as measured by two established clinician assessment tools, according to a study published online April 20 in BMJ Open.

‘Vampire Facials’ at New Mexico Spa Linked to HIV Infections

WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Two people may have contracted HIV after undergoing so-called “vampire facials” at a New Mexico spa, state health officials say.

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