Psoriasis Prevalence and Severity by Expert Elicitation.

Introduction: An estimated 2-4% of Western populations are thought to have psoriasis, with a regional incidence ranging from 0.09% to 11.43%.

Approach to the Assessment and Management of Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: A Consensus Document. Section V: Consensus Statements on the Assessment and Management of Adult Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

This document is a concise, current, and practical guide for dermatologists and other health care providers managing adult patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). The recommendations made here are based on a consensus of specialists with extensive experience managing patients with AD. Topics reviewed in this publication include AD pathophysiology, assessment, comorbidities, and treatment options.

Approach to the Assessment and Management of Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: A Consensus Document. Section I: Pathophysiology of Atopic Dermatitis and Implications for Systemic Therapy.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, and remitting inflammatory skin disease whose onset typically occurs early in life. AD pathophysiology includes genetic, immune, and environmental factors contributing to chronic inflammation. A rapidly evolving understanding of the pathogenesis of AD has led to the development of several treatment options for AD in adults, including topicals, phototherapy, and systemic therapies.

Approach to the Assessment and Management of Adult Patients With Atopic Dermatitis: A Consensus Document.

Background:: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing, and remitting inflammatory skin disease with complex pathophysiology, primarily driven by type 2 inflammation. Existing guidelines often do not reflect all current therapeutic options and guidance on the practical management of patients with AD is lacking.

Objectives:: To develop practical, up-to-date guidance on the assessment and management of adult patients with AD.

Moisturizers and Ceramide-containing Moisturizers May Offer Concomitant Therapy with Benefits.

Introduction: Ceramide-containing moisturizers may offer benefits as an adjunct to acne treatment.

Methods: An expert panel of 11 Canadian dermatologists, including an international clinical scientist, used the following modified Delphi process: 1) A systematic literature review for acne treatment, dry skin, irritation, depletion of ceramides in acne, and benefits of moisturizers and ceramide-containing moisturizers was conducted; 2) panel members gave their opinion on the resulting statements, taking into account their treatment practices; 3) a panel meeting was held during the 2011 Canadian Dermatology Update to determine final statements; 4) the panel reviewed the final document.

Results: The panel reached the following consensus (11/11): 1) A very important reason for nonadherence to acne treatment is dry skin and irritation; 2) skin barrier dysfunction may contribute to acne; 3) dry skin and irritation commonly results from topical acne treatment; 4) dry skin and irritation commonly results from systemic retinoid therapy; 5) moisturizers can improve dryness and irritation resulting from acne treatment; 6) ceramide-containing moisturizers may enhance adherence and complement existing acne therapies; 7) adjunctive therapy with moisturizers should be considered in acne-treated patients.

Pathway to dry skin prevention and treatment.

Background: This article presents an evidence-supported clinical pathway for dry skin prevention and treatment.

Objective: The development of the pathway involved the following: a literature review was conducted and demonstrated that literature on dry skin is scarce. To compensate for the gap in the available literature, a modified Delphi method was used to collect information on prevention and treatment practice through a panel, which included 10 selected dermatologists who currently provide medical care for dermatology patients in Ontario.