Skin & Allergy News back issues from September 2007:
Dermatopathology specialists needed.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NEW YORK -- Many primary care physicians are evaluating skin disorders and often relying on general pathologists to help them make dermatologic diagnoses, which, according to Dr. Clay Cockerell, could be a recipe for disaster. Nondermatologists ...
Long-awaited proposal adds UVA to sunscreen label: a sun-risk warning would also be added.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... A rating system that would use stars on the label of a sunscreen to indicate the degree of ultraviolet A protection provided by the product is among the main elements of a long-awaited Food and Drug Administration proposed regulation on sunscreen labeling. Other main features of ...
FDA committees support relaxing of iPLEDGE rules.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... GAITHERSBURG, MD. -- The iPLEDGE risk management program for the acne drug isotretinoin is likely to be relaxed somewhat, despite the fact that there were 122 pregnancies observed in the first year. The Food and Drug Administration's Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs and Drug ...
Editor's note.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Dear Doctor, You're busy. Each day you have patients to see, diagnoses to make, and a business to attend to. Add that to a family, personal life, and the avocations that you enjoy, and the sum is precious little "spare" time. Yet you need to stay up to date on the ...
Cathelicidin finding may trump antibacterial approach to rosacea.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... An overabundance of a deranged form of cathelicidin--a protein that normally protects the skin from bacterial infection--is the cause of rosacea, Dr. Richard L. Gallo and his colleagues reported. The excess of altered cathelicidin also appears to explain why some antibiotics are ...
Top 10 drugs prescribed by dermatologists in 2006.(VITAL SIGNS)
Sep 01, 2007 ... <Pre> Top 10 Drugs Prescribed by Dermatologists in 2006Percentage of prescriptions Minocycline 5.2% Doxycycline 3.3% Clobetasol3.2% Triamcinolone acetonide ...
NSAIDs, vegetables may halt skin ca recurrence.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- Adoption of a diet rich in leafy green vegetables and the regular use of NSAIDs are evidence-based supplementary measures available to patients with prior skin cancer to reduce their risk of future episodes, Dr. Adele C. Green said at the 11th World Congress on Cancers of the ...
Revised staging of head and neck SCCs urged.(News)
Sep 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- The widely used American Joint Committee on Cancer's staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas located on the head and neck is inadequate, Dr. Gillian Murphy declared at the 11th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. The AJCC's current staging system ...
Factors predict metastasis in lip, skin squamous cell carcinoma.(News)
Sep 01, 2007 ... AMSTERDAM -- The squamous cell carcinomas of the skin or lip most likely to metastasize are defined histopathologically by a width of at least 15 mm, a Breslow thickness of 2.85 mm or more, poor differentiation, desmoplasia, and an inflammatory response with plasma cells and eosinophils, ...
Lesion count predicts cancer risk in transplant recipients.(News)
Sep 01, 2007 ... AMSTERDAM -- The total number of keratotic skin lesions an organ transplant recipient has is by far the most potent predictor of the patient's risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer, Dr. Jan N. Bouwes Bavinck said at the 11th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. His case-control ...
iPLEDGE: where was the AAD?(Adviser's Viewpoint)(American Academy of Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... This is not another "I don't like iPLEDGE" rant. Instead, it is an "I still remain unhappy, disappointed, and frustrated by the iPLEDGE program 2 years later" rant. I question whether the American Academy of Dermatology had a clearly defined strategy when iPLEDGE was first proposed and ...
Correction.(Opinion)(Correction notice)
Sep 01, 2007 ... In "Personality Disorders Usually Under Surface of Excoriations" (July 2007, p ....
Physicians as killers?(Guest Editorial)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The failed car bomb attacks in London and Glasgow startled many. One of the biggest surprises is that the alleged would-be terrorists are physicians or medical students--people who take an oath to save lives. But throughout human history, those in our profession have been involved in ...
But enough about you.(Under My Skin)
Sep 01, 2007; ... A recent news headline read: "Study Says Chatty Doctors Forget Patients." "How are we today, Mr. Troldhaugen?" "Well, doctor, I have this itch. You know, down below." "Oh, don't I know it! I've been fighting that for years. Itch can drive you crazy. It's embarrassing ...
Training program changes could splinter dermatology.(Guest Editorial)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The process of credentialing has taken on new gravity in modern times. Credentialing confirms our years of training, which sets us apart from others. However, it also has the potential to divide us into those dermatologists who are allowed to do procedures and those who are not. ...
New anticancer agents have distinctive toxicities.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- The highly promising new class of investigational anticancer agents known at cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 blockers has a characteristic group of side effects of special interest to dermatologists, gastroenterologists, and endocrinologists, Dr. Alexander M.M. Eggermont said ...
Phase III trial activity for melanoma is robust: biologics being studied include CTLA4 blockers, apoptosis restorers, and antiangiogenesis agents.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- An unprecedented number of pivotal phase III trials of novel biologic therapies for melanoma are underway or about to start, according to speakers at the 11th World Congress on Cancers of the Skin. "It's unbelievably busy in the field of melanoma these days," ...
Current options in stage IV melanoma deemed unsatisfactory.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- Here's just how little progress has occurred in the systemic treatment of metastatic melanoma over the last 3 decades: Today the best therapeutic option for patients with advanced melanoma is to enroll them in a clinical trial of an investigational drug, Dr. Mark R. Middleton ...
Sorafenib results mixed for advanced melanoma.(Cutaneous Oncology)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- The first two randomized trials to assess the addition of sorafenib to chemotherapy for advanced melanoma exhibited mixed results, according to presentations at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. A randomized, 17-center, phase II study of ...
Plant-based compound shows efficacy against basal cell ca.(Cutaneous Oncology)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... NEW YORK -- A recently discovered chemical in the sap of a weed common to North America and much of the world appeared safe and effective in treating patients with superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma, according to results presented as a poster at the American Academy of ...
U.K. study data confirmed safety of diclofenac 3% for actinic keratosis.(Cutaneous Oncology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... AMSTERDAM -- Diclofenac 3% gel was well tolerated and showed an excellent safety profile for treatment of multiple actinic keratoses in a postmarketing safety surveillance study. The study, conducted in 140 primary care practices in the United Kingdom, showed no severe ...
Wine analogy may help patients grasp filler menu.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... DESTIN, FLA. -- Rose or cabernet? Hyaluronic acid cosmetic fillers, it turns out, are a bit like wine: selection depends on whether the occasion calls for something soft and light or something big and bold, Dr. Patricia Farris said at a meeting sponsored by the Alabama ...
FDA approval of Reloxin predicted within year.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... DESTIN, FLA. -- Approval of Reloxin, a botulinum toxin type A product marketed in Europe as Dysport, is expected in the United States within the next 8-12 months, Dr. Patricia Farris said at a meeting sponsored by the Alabama Dermatology Society. The product, which is similar to ...
Cosmetic result analysis depends on the evaluator.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... GRAPEVINE, TEX. -- The outcomes of cosmetic dermatologic procedures are in the eyes of the beholders. The mindset of expert evaluators and their level of blinding can play critical roles in how the results of a cosmetic procedure are judged, Dr. David Horne said at the annual ...
Combined therapy optimizes facial rejuvenation.(Aesthetic Dermatology)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... PALM BEACH, FLA. -- Technical tips to optimize use of injectable facial fillers and botulinum toxin were offered during a live patient demonstration at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. A natural-looking result is the goal. "We ...
Mushrooms, Part III: kombucha.(Cosmeceutical Critique)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Kombucha is a somewhat sweet or our and acidic tea that is prepared through the fermentation of sweetened black tea with a symbiotic culture of yeasts and acetic acid bacteria. It is popular worldwide, particularly in China, Russia, and Germany (Int. J. Food Microbiol. 2004;95:119-26; Rev ....
Consider cat-scratch disease in unknown fever.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007; ... MAUI, HAWAII -- Cat-scratch disease should be consided in any patient with fever of an unknown origin who has had contact with cats--especially kittens, according to Dr. Jay M. Lieberman. He presented several cases of children with prolonged fevers who remained with out a ...
CDC immunization Web site revised.(Infectious Diseases)(Website overview)
Sep 01, 2007 ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has revised its Web site. The site is user-friendly for health professionals and the general public and includes ACIP ...
Invasive candidiasis rates higher at academic centers.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007; ... DALLAS -- The incidence of invasive candidiasis is more than 50% greater in academic medical centers than in community hospitals, although the distribution of Candida species is similar in both settings, according to the national Candida Surveillance Study. During the survey ...
Shorter course of once-daily cefdinir treats skin infections.(Infectious Diseases)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... LOS ANGELES -- Taking cefdinir once instead of twice daily for 7 instead of 10 days successfully treated uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections in a small randomized study. The study of 64 clinically evaluable patients who were randomized to treatment with one of two ...
Quick biopsy is needed for phaeohyphomycosis diagnosis.(Infectious Diseases)(Disease/Disorder overview)
Sep 01, 2007; ... DESTIN, FLA. -- Phaeohyphomycosis usually results from infection by Bipolaris fungi, and it requires wide debridement and immediate treatment with massive doses of itraconazole to reduce the fungal burden, Dr. Dirk Elston said at a meeting sponsored by the Alabama Dermatology Society. ...
Data watch.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007 ... <Pre> DATA WATCH Children Aged 5-9 Years Accounted for the Highest Number Of New Lyme Disease Cases Age (years) 0-4 3,238 5-9 ...
HPV confers survival advantage in skin cancer: positivity linked with a 79% lower risk of death for head and neck SCC patients.(Infectious Diseases)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- A prospective analysis of a phase II Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study confirms what has up to now been reported only in retrospective, single-institution studies: head and neck squamous cell cancer patients infected with the human papilloma virus have significantly ...
Largest study yet supports Gardasil's safety, CDC reports.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007; ... ATLANTA -- Clinicians can be more confident about the safety of Gardasil, the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine, because postlicensure safety data from the first year of widespread use confirm that serious adverse events associated with the vaccine are rare. ...
Herpes zoster vaccine safety sustained at 1 year.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007; ... ATLANTA -- The safety profile for Zostavax, the herpes zoster vaccine manufactured by Merck & Co., was reinforced during its first year of widespread use, based on adverse event reports collected from clinicians, patients, and others. "Zostavax seems to have a very good safety ...
Echinacea cut common cold's impact in half.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Users of echinacea supplements in clinical trials reduced their odds of developing the common cold by more than half, according to findings from a meta-analysis of 14 published, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. When patients in the trials caught a cold, those who used ...
ACIP reviews what's new with flu.(Infectious Diseases)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated recommendations for the 2007-2008 flu season emphasize vaccinating health care personnel and catching up previously unvaccinated children aged 6 months to 8 years with two doses of vaccine. The CDC's Advisory Committee on ...
Steroids for hemangiomas don't jeopardize height.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Short-term treatment with oral corticosteroids doesn't appear to prevent infants with hemangiomas from achieving normal height, based on data from a study of 44 children with infant hemangiomas who were treated with corticosteroids for an average of 14 months. All ...
AD therapy: tips for getting teens to comply.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Assume noncompliance when treating atopic dermatitis in teenage patients, said Dr. Jon M. Hanifin, a dermatologist at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. "Managing atopic dermatitis in teenagers is not for the faint of heart," said Dr. Hanifin, a ...
Nonsteroid cream soothes kids' atopic dermatitis.(Pediatric Dermatology)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- A nonsteroidal cream that contains glycyrrhetinic acid (2%) and hyaluronic acid is a safe, effective therapy for mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in infants and young children, based on data from 142 patients aged 6 months to 12 years presented at the annual meeting of the ...
AD flares controlled with intermittent tacrolimus use.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Intermittent treatment with tacrolimus ointment kept atopic dermatitis under control with no need for corticosteroids in children and adolescents aged 2-15 years whose conditions had stabilized. Because concerns persist about the long-term effects of corticosteroid ...
Bleach baths for reducing S. aureus in atopy underused.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... MAUI, HAWAII -- Bleach baths are a greatly underused tool for reduction of Staphylococcus aureus skin colonization in patients with atopic dermatitis, pediatric dermatologists said at the annual Hawaii Dermatology Seminar sponsored by Skin Disease Education Foundation. Dr. Ilona ...
Familial periodic fever syndromes erupt on skin.(Pediatric Dermatology)(Disease/Disorder overview)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Several genetically based periodic fever syndromes have skin signs that may help clinicians identify the syndromes on the rare occasions when they occur, Dr. Kathryn M. Edwards said at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Although these ...
New terbinafine formulation knocks out tinea.(Pediatric Dermatology)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- A new oral formulation of the antifungal drug terbinafine significantly improved tinea capitis in children aged 4-12 years compared with griseofulvin oral suspension, based on efficacy data from 1,286 children in the largest study of the medication to date. These ...
Fragrance-related dermatitis: keys to diagnosis.(Allergic/Contact Dermatitis)
Sep 01, 2007; ... HERSHEY, PA. -- Sniffing out the cause of fragrance-related allergic contact dermatitis can be a challenge, Dr. Pamela Scheinman said at a meeting on contact dermatitis sponsored by Pennsylvania State University. Fragrances are the cosmetic ingredients most likely to cause ...
Patch testing offers clues to unilateral hand dermatitis.(Allergic/Contact Dermatitis)
Sep 01, 2007 ... HERSHEY, PA. -- Patch testing is almost always warranted in patients who present with unilateral dermatitis of the hand, according to dermatologist Dr. Bryan Anderson. General hand dermatitis is more heterogenous and can be a manifestation of a number of conditions such as ...
Metal implant reaction rare, but consider testing in those at risk.(Allergic/Contact Dermatitis)
Sep 01, 2007 ... HERSHEY, PA. -- Routine skin patch testing for metal sensitivity is not necessary for all patients slated to undergo implantation of metal prosthetic devices, but it should be considered for patients with a history of atopy or known metal sensitivity. While dermal ...
Ten-year survival poor in antisynthetase syndrome.(Autoimmunity/Connective Tissue)(Disease/Disorder overview)
Sep 01, 2007; ... BARCELONA -- A review of 30 patients with antisynthetase syndrome found that only half survived 10 years after diagnosis, Dr. Oyvind Palm reported at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. This idiopathic inflammatory myopathy is characterized by the presence of anti ...
Lupus guidelines focus on 12 recommendations.(Autoimmunity/Connective Tissue)
Sep 01, 2007; ... The first attempt to develop "comprehensive management guidelines" for systemic lupus erythematosus resulted in 12 recommendations--some potentially controversial--from a European task force. A European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) task force composed of 19 rheumatology ...
In renal disease patients, think twice before MRI: nephrogenic systemic fibrosis appears to increase with use of contrast agents, especially Omniscan.(Autoimmunity/Connective Tissue)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Radiologic professional associations and governmental regulatory agencies in the United States and Europe are in the midst of grappling with how best to deal with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, a severe scleroderma-like syndrome that may arise in patients with poor kidney ...
Rash with fever may signal drug hypersensitivity.(Autoimmunity/Connective Tissue)
Sep 01, 2007; ... VIENNA -- The triad of high fever, rash, and organ involvement occurring in a patient who has recently begun a new drug treatment may signal drug hypersensitivity syndrome, Dr. Nikolai Tsankov said at the 16th Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. This ...
Relaxed guides simplify OC prescribing for acne.(Acne)
Sep 01, 2007; ... DESTIN, FLA. -- Prescribing oral contraceptives as treatment for women and adolescents with acne is not as complicated as some dermatologists believe. Preliminary evidence suggests acne incidence is increasing among women in their 20s and 30s. Given the many shortcomings of ...
Combination gel improves acne in phase III study.(Acne)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- An aqueous gel formula that combines 0.025% tretinoin and 1.2% clindamycin phosphate significantly reduces inflammatory and noninflammatory acne lesions, Dr. James Leyden said in a poster presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. The ...
Body dysmorphic disorder common with acne.(Acne)
Sep 01, 2007; ... LOS ANGELES -- Significant numbers of patients with acne have debilitating symptoms normally associated with body dysmorphic disorder, Dr. Whimey P. Bowe said at the annual meeting of the Society for Investigational Dermatology. In her screening study, 14%-21% of 128 patients ...
Anakinra shows promise in adult-onset still disease.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... BARCELONA -- Dramatic responses have been seen among patients with refractory adult-onset Still disease treated with anakinra, Dr. John M. Esdaile said at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology. Traditional treatment for this systemic inflammatory disorder relies on ...
Etanercept for juvenile idiopathic arthritis is safe in long term.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... BARCELONA -- Etanercept was generally well tolerated and clinical improvements maintained up to 3 years in children with polyarticular or systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis in an ongoing registry, Edward H. Giannini, Dr. P.H., reported at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology, ...
Exercise guidelines emphasize health maintenance.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Exercise experts have clarified what qualifies as the minimum level of physical activity for maintaining health and lowering the risk of disease in older and younger adults as well as in middle-aged adults with chronic conditions, according to updated recommendations issued by the American ...
Bariatric surgery improves heart failure, cuts left atrial size.(Across Specialties)(Clinical report)
Sep 01, 2007; ... NEW ORLEANS -- Good outcomes from bariatric surgery in morbidly obese patients continue to accumulate. In a series of 12 patients at one center with severe systolic heart failure, bariatric surgery was safe and led to improved left ventricular function, Dr. Gautam V. Ramani said at the ...
Alzheimer advocates warn of disease onslaught.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Alzheimer disease advocates and federal officials re calling for stepped-up measures to combat a "looming avalanche" of Alzheimer disease in the United States. Alzheimer disease prevalence in this country is projected to skyrocket in the next 40 years, tripling from 4.5 million now to more ...
Study: FDA slow to approve drugs for Alzheimer disease.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Drugs for treating Alzheimer disease are significantly less likely than are cancer or HIV drugs to receive priority review from the Food and Drug Administration, according to a new study that has critics saying the pattern must change as disease-modifying drugs advance in clinical trials. ...
Exelon Patch, Letairis.(New & Approved)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Exelon Patch (rivastigmine transdermal system, Novartis) A transdermal formulation of the cholinesterase inhibitor approved for treating mild to moderate dementia in people with Alzheimer disease (AD) and in people with Parkinson disease. The oral formulation was ...
New analysis confirms heart risk linked to diabetes drugs.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Analysis of a wide array of studies and reports confirms an increased risk of heart failure in type 2 diabetes patients who take the thiazolidinedione drugs rosiglitazone and pioglitazone, even in patients who are young, take low doses, and lack heart failure history. The ...
Daily dark chocolate lowered blood pressure.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... Eating a small piece of dark chocolate every day reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a randomized, controlled study of older people who had either prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension. The "dose" was too small to adversely affect glucose metabolism or insulin ...
Alcoholism drug found to lack efficacy in women.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- Naltrexone may have little positive effect either on drinking behavior in older women with alcoholism comorbid with depression or on drug-using behavior in women with alcoholism and comorbid cocaine dependence. Data presented at the annual meeting of the Research ...
Heavy drinking hastens death by up to 25 years.(Across Specialties)
Sep 01, 2007; ... CHICAGO -- A history of heavy drinking cuts the life span by up to 25 years across all major chronic diseases, Hsiao-ye Yi, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism. The effect seems particularly pronounced in women drinkers, who lose their ...