By Allison Sit
The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month as the journal continues to make news. Healio covered several JDD studies in the last month, including in its article, ““Ixekizumab Bests Adalimumab in Adherence, Persistence in Psoriasis”. The article focused on “Long-Term Treatment Patterns Among Patients With Psoriasis Treated With Ixekizumab or Adalimumab: A Real-World Study” from the April issue, which sought to address the paucity of long-term, real-world evidence comparing the two psoriasis drugs. Andrew Blauvelt, MD, MBA, and colleagues compared treatment patterns over 24 months in the U.S. as
Indicated through two data pools that contain health experiences of privately insured individuals and those with Medicare supplemental insurance. The study found ixekizumab users had better treatment adherence and persistence and a lower risk of discontinuation compared to adalimumab users over 24 months. The authors wrote that, in the absence of head-to-head trials, this data along with existing clinical trial data help provide clinicians with important information about these psoriasis drugs.
Another Healio article, “IPL with Radiofrequency Does Not Show Clinical Significance in Hidradenitis Suppurativa,” addressed the April JDD study, “Safety and Efficacy of Intense Pulsed Light With Radiofrequency in United States Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients.” Alexa B. Lyons, MD, and colleagues sought to evaluate the treatment combination in U.S. patients since German studies have reported it to be a noninvasive treatment option. The U.S. team found no statistically significant clinical improvement between treatment and the control from baseline to final visits. Yet the authors noted that the differing results may be due to differences in clinical trial design, and that the device was well-tolerated by patients. The authors wrote that the technology may still hold promise, and that larger and randomized controlled trials are needed.
MDLinx included a 2021 JDD study in its article, “Expert Advice: Addressing Men’s Resistance to Sun Protection.” The study, “Men’s Attitudes and Behaviors About Skincare and Sunscreen Use Behaviors” by Courtney A. Roberts, MSPH and colleagues surveyed men ages 20-70 and found most men (83%) reported not wearing sunscreen daily with only 38% reporting sunscreen use weekly. Researchers also found income was related to both daily and weekly sunscreen use. Men who earned between $40,000 and $50,000 annually used sunscreen less often compared to men who earned $100,000 annually. Survey data also showed the main motivators for daily sunscreen use included reducing skin cancer risk (82%) and looking younger (42%). The authors wrote that the study revealed skin cancer public education campaigns should focus on increasing men’s interest in daily sunscreen use and other sun protection behaviors, and that better knowledge of men’s routines may result in products that men can and are willing to integrate into their daily lives.
