Comparing demographic characteristics and adverse event rates at two dermatologic surgery practices.

Background: Patient demographics and operative techniques may contribute to adverse events after surgeries.

Objective: To identify differences in adverse event rates between different dermatologic surgery centers and potential contributing features affecting these rates.

Methods: Data regarding demographics, procedure type, and adverse events were collected at two dermatologic surgery centers.

Insect repellents and contact urticaria: differential response to DEET and picaridin.

Topical insect repellent is commonly used throughout the world. Active ingredients typically include N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) or picaridin. Reactions to topical repellents have ranged from contact dermatitis to urticaria.

Quantifying and characterizing adverse events in dermatologic surgery.

Background: Although office-based dermatologic procedures are generally considered safe, there is a lack of prospective data on the rate of adverse events (AEs) associated with these procedures.

Objective: To determine the frequency of AEs after dermatologic surgery and to characterize the most commonly encountered AEs.

Methods: A web-based interface was designed to track AEs with the input of four dermatologic surgeons.

The safety of immunosuppressants in the treatment of psoriasis patients: is there concern regarding those with familial lymphoproliferative disease?

Immunosuppressant drugs may increase the risk of lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) states, and additionally, the diagnosis of psoriasis may predispose to lymphoma. It is important to educate patients regarding the side effects of any treatment regimen. A positive family history of LPD disease may increase the risk of personal acquisition of LPD disease in those patients with psoriasis additionally making use of immunosuppressant therapy, such as the biologics.

Sleep disturbances in psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis negatively impacts sleep, but the factors that cause this sleep disturbance are not well characterized.

Purpose: To assess sleep quality in subjects with psoriasis.

Methods: 35 outpatients diagnosed with chronic plaque psoriasis affecting at least 10 percent BSA and 44 controls completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Patient Health Questionnaire, Itch Severity Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

Apremilast as a treatment for psoriasis.

Introduction: Psoriasis is a common skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammatory lesions that are frequently vexing for patients and difficult for physicians to treat. Although multiple therapeutic options are available, all have limitations. Topical preparations have issues with patient adherence, as compared to oral routes of administration.

Development of low blood glucose readings in nine non-diabetic patients treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors: a case series.

Introduction: Treatment with various biological agents in disease states such as rheumatoid arthritis has been associated with multiple side effects. Whereas many of these are frequently reported in the literature, hypoglycemia, a possible side effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, may be underpublicized.

Case Presentation: We report nine cases of non-diabetic Caucasian women who were between 29 and 68 years of age and who developed low glucose readings after treatment with tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors.