Dermatology

Allopurinol's overall impact on the risk of mortality has been studied but is not yet well-understood. Now, a study has shown that the benefits from this treatment likely outweigh the risk of serious side effects.

Intestinal and multivisceral transplantation-and any organ transplant actually-increases risk for infection since immunosuppressants are critical post-surgery. Fungal infections ranging from mild skin rashes to deadly fungal pneumonia can be a problem, and may lead to increased morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Anacor Pharmaceuticals recently announced favorable results from two phase 3 pivotal studies for Crisaborole Topical Ointment, 2% (previously AN2728), a non-steroidal topical anti-inflammatory PDE-4 inhibitor for treating children and adults suffering from mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis.

Researchers are learning more about the safety and efficacy of anti-interleukin-17 and anti-interleukin-23 (IL-23) therapy, although there are several agents currently under investigation. Anti-TNF agents and IL agents target psoriatic inflammation through different pathways.

Although tattoo removal has come a long way since the days of amputation and dermabrasion, there are some stubborn ink stains that just won't come clean. A recent study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology looked at the safety and efficacy of the 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and found a relatively high clearance rate after multiple treatments for most patients.

Successful preliminary trials revealed that treatment with a novel anti–interleukin-23 monoclonal antibody, guselkumab, (CNTO 1959/Janssen) was more effective at reducing the symptoms of plaque psoriasis than adalimumab.

Inflammatory chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis bring many treatment challenges. Among them is the fact that biologic therapies for these diseases-particularly anti-TNF agents-while effective, can themselves bring reactivation of a latent tuberculosis infection.

Pain and itching may be controlled by cells on the spinal cord, according to research published in Neuron.

Researchers announced a phase 3 trial assessing secukinumab for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis met its primary endpoint (ACR 20 at week 24), possibly putting the drug on the fast track to approval.

Coming next from Medicare: the ICD-10 Obmudsman. Billing under the dreaded new International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) coding system will get a bit less onerous under a deal brokered between Medicare and the American Medical Association.

Sanjey Gupta, MD, weighs in on the Affordable Care Act and its effect on emergency care.

This 69-year-old woman requested evaluation of scaling behind her left ear, which has been present for 8 months after she started a new shampoo.

MD Magazine recently reported on a study in JAMA Dermatology pointing to an alarming increase in the worldwide incidence of malignant melanoma (MM). The study, conducted in Denmark, shows that the incidence of MM has doubled during the past 25 years, despite targeted awareness campaigns and a focus within the dermatology community on early detection and treatment.

Patients with vitiligo have a choice of many treatment options, which run the gamut from applying make-up to depigmented areas, to light treatment, all the way up to surgery to move pigmented skin cells to affected areas. Yet, many patients elect not to treat the condition at all, despite the fact that the condition can be emotionally devastating and progressive.

Researchers have shown there is a connection between personality characteristics and certain dermatological conditions, most notably in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Incorporating the information into your practice involves being at least somewhat aware of psychological factors that may contribute to these conditions.

Individuals who regularly consume orange juice or grapefruit may have a higher risk of developing melanoma, according to research recently published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Study results presented at the 2015 Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism show treatment with apremilast can improve common, painful manifestations of psoriatic arthritis.

Sexual function data is not adequately reported in finasteride clinical trials, a treatment for male pattern baldness, according to an investigation published in JAMA Dermatology.

Psoriasis cost between $112 billion and $135 billion in 2013.

About a quarter of patients with acne did not fill prescriptions, according to a survey published in JAMA Dermatology.

The King v. Burwell US Supreme Court decision yesterday means that people who could have lost mental health insurance coverage don't have to worry.

The Supreme Court's decision to uphold Affordable Care Act insurance subsidies in all 50 states was greeted warmly by major healthcare associations and by Wall Street. However, the decision in King vs. Burwell also served to reignite debate over the healthcare law, and the challenges that remain 5 years after its passage.

One of the lead characters in the HBO smash hit Game of Thrones has been told by several characters: "You know nothing, Jon Snow." Unfortunately, a similar quote could be used to describe patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). At the very least, the quote could be modified to, "You know very little."

A promising study published online by Molecular Cell has found that a high level of a protein called H2A.Z.2 can activate growth-promoting genes in melanoma cells. Blocking the body's production of H2A.Z.2, either alone or in combination with medications, can not only block tumor growth, it can also kill melanoma cells.

Vitamin B12 has been shown to trigger pimple-promoting chemicals in even normal skin bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes).

The US Supreme Court has said residents of all 50 states are entitled to subsidies, regardless of whether they bought insurance through a federally run or state-run marketplace. The case centered on whether 2010's Affordable Care Act authorized subsidies to consumers who bought health insurance on non-state-run insurance marketplaces.

The potential link between oral erectile dysfunction medications and melanoma risk has been under scrutiny following publication of study results last year in the Journal of American Medical Association suggesting sildenafil use may be associated with an increased risk of developing melanoma.

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital recently announced they have discovered that an immune system protein, Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2), plays a role in determining the degree of aggressiveness of colon cancer.

Topical medications for skin ailments may be able to alleviate and reverse damage caused by multiple sclerosis.

A study that used data from the Danish Melanoma Group database shows the incidence of malignant melanoma has doubled during the past 25 years, despite targeted awareness campaigns and a focus within the dermatology community on early detection and treatment.