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Internet-based survey intervention improves adherence to methotrexate among psoriasis patients.

Background: While it is known that psoriasis patients have poor adherence to both topical and systemic medications, adherence to methotrexate is not well-characterized, and ways to improve methotrexate adherence have not been addressed.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a digital intervention improved adherence to oral methotrexate as measured by electronic monitoring.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients were randomized to receive either weekly digital interventions assessing treatment adherence or no intervention for 24 weeks.

Adherence to levetiracetam for management of epilepsy: Assessment with electronic monitors.

Introduction: Anti-seizure medications are used to manage epilepsy and require long-term adherence to maintain therapeutic drug levels. We assessed adherence to levetiracetam and the use of a digital intervention to improve adherence in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: 30 participants with epilepsy were randomized 1:1 either to a digital email adherence intervention or control group.

A Comparison of Alternative Medicine Users and Non-Users in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa patients often seek non-prescription therapies.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of alternative medicine use and characterize the differences between patients who report using alternative medications versus those who do not.

Methods: We surveyed 67 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa regarding demographics, alternative medicine use, disease severity, and quality of life.

Post-transplant primary cutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise specified in a pediatric patient.

Solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be complicated by the development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs). The World Health Organization categorizes PTLDs into four entities including non-destructive, monomorphic, polymorphic, and classical Hodgkin lymphoma types. The most common PTLDs are B-cell lymphomas, with T-cell lymphomas accounting for only a few cases.

Adherence to topical treatment can improve treatment-resistant moderate psoriasis.

Most patients with psoriasis have limited disease that should be manageable with topical treatment. However, psoriasis often is resistant to topical treatment. The aim of our study was to determine if patients using psoriasis-resistant topical treatments can be effectively treated with topicals under conditions promoting adherence.

Rubella Vaccine Persistence Within Cutaneous Granulomas in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorder.

Common variable immunodeficiency disorder is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by reduced levels of serum immunoglobulins and impaired antibody response. This condition may be associated with development of noninfectious granulomatous dermatitis of the skin which may be disfiguring and destructive. There are no published guidelines for the treatment of cutaneous granulomas in this patient population.

Emotional Well-Being Is Impaired in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition.

Objective: To measure emotional well-being in HS patients and compare to other populations, assess if there is an effect of disease severity on emotional well-being, and determine if emotional well-being is correlated with quality of life and depression.

Methods: A total of 153 HS subjects were recruited, and 66 Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) surveys assessing emotional well-being were completed.

Cutaneous metastases of papillary renal cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an uncommon subtype of RCC that is typically encountered at early stages and has a high survival rate. Histopathology typically shows well-defined papillary architecture with tumor cells lining fibrovascular cores and can be further subdivided into type 1 and type 2 tumors based on cytology and genetic basis. Type 1 tumors have a single layer of basophilic cells and low nuclear atypia, while type 2 tumors have a pseudostratified layer of eosinophilic cells and high nuclear atypia.

Validation of a Hidradenitis Suppurativa Self-Assessment Tool.

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a debilitating dermatologic condition presenting with recurrent abscesses. While there are multiple scales to determine HS severity, none are designed for self-administration. A validated severity self-assessment tool may facilitate survey research and improve communication by allowing patients to objectively report their HS severity between clinic visits.

Psoriasis therapy and aortic inflammation - translating statistical to clinical significance.

Psoriasis patients are known to have comorbid aortic vascular inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this population. Many studies report statistically significant improvements in aortic vascular inflammation after use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors or interleukin-12/23 antagonists. However, the clinical significance in reduction of adverse cardiovascular events in psoriatic patients owing to biologic therapy has not been examined.

Psoriasis and Atopic Dermatitis "Resistant" to Topical Treatment Responds Rapidly to Topical Desoximetasone Spray.

Purpose:: Topical corticosteroids (TS) are a treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD) and psoriasis (Ps). We assessed whether use of a TS under conditions designed to enhance adherence would be effective in patients who "failed" TS in the outpatient setting.

Methods:: Individuals with treatment-resistant Ps or AD were recruited (AD, n = 12; Ps, n = 12).

Topical corticosteroids for treatment-resistant atopic dermatitis.

Although topical corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), these medications may lose efficacy over time, a phenomenon known as tachyphylaxis. However, the underlying mechanism for tachyphylaxis may be due to lack of treatment adherence rather than loss of efficacy of topical corticosteroids. In this study, we aimed to determine if AD patients who were previously unsuccessfully treated with topical corticosteroids would respond to desoximetasone spray 0.

A Pilot Study Characterizing Factors in Adherence to Cutaneous Lupus Treatment.

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is an autoimmune skin disease that manifests as scarring, dyspigmentation, erythema, and pain. Topical corticosteroids are a mainstay of treatment. Irritation, messiness, and tediousness may deter use.

Adherence and resource use among psoriasis patients treated with biologics.

Introduction: The emergence of immune-modulating drugs such as biologics has altered the treatment landscape for psoriasis. However, their use presents high financial costs to patients and healthcare systems. Patient demographic and socioeconomic status may influence adherence to biologic medications and usage of healthcare resources.

Screening for depression in rosacea patients.

Rosacea patients often are burdened with embarrassment, social anxiety, and psychiatric comorbidities. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) is a validated and reliable self-administered tool for diagnosis of depression and designation of depression severity. This study aimed to examine the relationship between rosacea severity scores and level of depression using a validated rosacea self-assessment tool and the PHQ-9, respectively.

Biologics monitoring: incongruity between recommendations and clinician monitoring trends.

: Biologics are commonly used for moderate to severe psoriasis. Monitoring laboratory tests may provide little definitive benefit to patients.: We queried a Humana database to gain insight regarding dermatologists' laboratory monitoring practices for psoriasis patients on biologics.

Patients preferences for different corticosteroid vehicles are highly variable.

Topical corticosteroids, available in an array of vehicles are used to control a variety of inflammatory skin diseases. Patients preferences for different vehicles may affect their willingness to use treatment. We assess corticosteroid vehicle preference and potential impact of topical characteristics on adherence and quality of life in patients with psoriasis.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia and Concomitant Lichen Planus Pigmentosus: A Case Series of Seven African American Women.

The association of frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and lichen planus pigmentosus (LPPigm) is rare. Prior reports suggest that FFA and LPPigm are on the same spectrum of disease, and a diagnosis of LPPigm may predict the future development of FFA. We aim to further characterize the association between FFA and LPPigm by reviewing the clinical cases of seven African American women.

Measurement of Disease Severity in a Population of Rosacea Patients.

Severity of rosacea in populations is not well characterized. A validated self-assessment tool was used to study the relationship between rosacea severity and demographic factors. Subjects were adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of rosacea.

Validity and Reliability of a Rosacea Self-Assessment Tool.

The lack of validated rosacea assessment tools is a hurdle in assessing rosacea severity. This article discusses a valid and reliable rosacea severity self-assessment tool (RSAT) to measure rosacea severity. To determine test-retest validity, participants completed the self-assessment twice.