News

Fungal treatment decision can be based on agent, individual patient

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that annual hospitalizations surpass 100,000 and outpatient treatment likely is several-fold higher.

Debate over the need for absolute sun protection - the mantra of the AAD - is moving farther into the public arena this summer, with a long-time researcher advocating limited, unprotected exposure, and the AAD still firmly warning against it.

Supplemental inositol significantly improved symptoms in patients with psoriasis during lithium treatment, according to the results of a small, randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the May issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.

Washington - Lasers can offer a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of chronic, stable plaque psoriasis in patients whose disease is mild-to-moderate in severity and involves 10 to 20 percent of the body surface area, said Christine C. Dierickx, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology here. Dr. Dierickx, director, Boom Laser Clinic, Boom, Belgium, and visiting scientist, Harvard Medical School, Boston, described the roles of lesion-directed, high intensity UVB phototherapy using various lasers and light sources as well as pulsed dye laser treatment that clears psoriatic plaques by targeting the microvasculature.

The industry side of the laser medicine field has heated up, too.

Tigecycline appears to effectively eradicate complicated skin and skin structure infections, according to a new study.

'Corneotherapy' unveiled as possible new directive for stratum corneum

Miami - Pivotal trial results show that treatment with a cryopreserved, bilayered cellular matrix (OrCel, Ortec International) promotes healing of refractory venous leg ulcers, especially those of dermal depth, says Robert S. Kirsner, M.D.

Stratum corneum's continual formation remains focus of study

Toronto - The biologic medication alefacept (Amevive, Biogen, Inc.) may be safely administered to psoriasis patients in multiple courses as well as in conjunction with other standard therapies, according to a presentation at the 10th International Psoriasis Symposium here.

Portland, OR - In a small study of bexarotene gel treatment for chronic severe hand dermatitis (HD), the medication achieved both speedy and surprising results. In a 55-patient, phase 1-2 open-label randomized clinical study of the gel, used alone and in combination with one of two steroids, 79 percent of patients on monotherapy achieved clinical improvement of at least 50 percent, and 39 percent reached at least 90 percent clearance.

Dallas - Laser therapy is gaining acceptance - albeit slowly - as an effective clinical tool for quickening burn healing. Results of a recent study indicate that even for diabetic burn patients, laser therapy may be even more effective than first thought.

Dr. Bataille contends that further research may unlock a genetic mystery that could be of great value.

Key congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare have been urged by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to reform the way payments for the services of assistants-at-surgery are made in order to prevent potential abuse and overpayment.

National Report - Until fairly recently, doctors' options for treating melanoma were limited and patients' prospects grim. That may be changing, however, as new knowledge about the disease's biology begins to bear fruit.

National report - Dermatologists seem to be greeting calls for a single national registry for clinical drug trials with a collective shrug of their shoulders.

As cosmetic procedures grow in popularity, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons strive to enhance patient comfort as well as ensure that the entire experience is a pleasant one. Building patient confidence and trust are the ultimate goals, and the use of topical anesthetics has helped greatly toward this end.

Oral antibiotics have an integral role in the treatment of moderate to severe acne. Patient compliance with an acne treatment program is crucial, and those affected must have realistic expectations for treatment. Because many strains of P acnes have become resistant to tetracycline, dermatologists are increasingly turning to doxycycline monohydrate, which has retained efficacy against the organism.

The Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.To obtain credit for this activity, you must complete the post-test by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the evaluation form. Complete the evaluation form, and mail or fax it to the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation.

Treatment options for plaque psoriasis include topical medications, phototherapy, and systemic medications used individually, in combination, or sequentially. The goal of therapy is to optimize both patient response to treatment and patient quality of life. Because psoriasis is a chronic disorder that can have serious psychosocial consequences, an aggressive approach to plaque clearance, followed by maintenance therapy, is often warranted. This monograph provides an update on the topical treatment approaches that have proven successful in the short-term and long-term management of psoriasis, as well as a look at how topical treatments may fit with new biologic treatment strategies.

Topical treatments for psoriasis have been the mainstay of treatment strategy, but their use has evolved and will be impacted with the emergence of biologic therapies. This program has been designed to provide an overview of the latest available therapies to help physicians understand the important role topical treatment will continue to play in the new age of biologics. This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Health Management Solutions, Inc, the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation, and Warner Chilcott do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

Running out of retirement income is a major concern of many physicians.

Q & A

Determining risk of progression is key in deciding chemopreventive therapy

Dermatologists and other physicians should be aware of several key recent developments at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that could affect their practices.

Do over-the-counter medications and primary care treatment lower dermatologists' acne treatment load?

Cream, gel now available for seborrheic dermatitis

Post-procedure ointment accelerates wound healing

Q & A