Side effects of steroid-sparing agents in patients with bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus: A systematic review.

Background: Systemic glucocorticoids are first-line treatment options for autoimmune blistering diseases; however, their long-term use is associated with significant toxicities.

Objective: To evaluate the side effects of steroid-sparing agents and compare them with those of steroids.

Methods: We searched Cochrane Reviews, Embase, MEDLINE, and Scopus between October 1978 and May 2020 using the keywords "bullous pemphigoid," "pemphigus," "autoimmune blistering diseases," and "side effects.

Evaluation of the toxicity of glucocorticoids in patients with autoimmune blistering disease using the Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index: A cohort study.

Background: Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment for autoimmune blistering diseases (AIBDs). The Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index (GTI) is a novel, outcome-based glucocorticoid-induced adverse effects monitoring instrument.

Objective: To investigate whether the GTI score was able to accurately quantify the glucocorticoid-induced toxicity in patients with AIBDs.

T-Cell-Driven Fibroinflammation Inducing Follicular Dedifferentiation in Alopecia Areata and IgG4-Modified Disease.

The definition of IgG4-related diseases incorporates a broad range of systemic diseases particularly a subset dominated by fibroinflammation. CD4+cytotoxic T cells have emerged as the major driving force for the fibroinflammation, and the pathogenetic role of IgG4 still remains to be determined. Cutaneous involvement is uncommon and is not well defined as elevated tissue IgG4 plasma cells are not a specific marker and prominent cutaneous fibroinflammation is often absent in cutaneous disease.

Conducting dermatology clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The clinical trials industry faces a number of challenges during the evolving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, for example, site closures, mandatory self-isolation, travel restrictions, interruptions to delivery of investigational product, or staff or participants becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. These challenges can pose difficulties in adhering to visit schedules, performing laboratory testing, conducting protocol-specified procedures, and administration of investigational product. As a result, clinical trial sites, contract research organizations, and sponsors have had to act swiftly to ensure that trial patients are safe and systems are in place for continuing trials.

Restructuring an academic dermatology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is a highly virulent positive-sense single stranded RNA virus that spreads rapidly via respiratory droplets, causing severe acute respiratory syndromes with significant mortality and morbidity. Currently 210 countries and territories are affected around the world with a reported 2.6 million confirmed cases.

The potential role of cannabinoids in dermatology.

Cannabis is increasingly being used world-wide to treat a variety of dermatological conditions. Medicinal cannabis is currently legalized in Canada, 31 states in America and 19 countries in Europe. The authors reviewed the literature on the pharmacology and use of cannabinoids in treating a variety of skin conditions including acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, skin cancer, pruritus, and pain.