Healio published several articles recently about studies from the May issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. One article, “COVID-19 Precautions Linked with Delays in Skin Cancer Treatment,” was based on, “Impact of the COVID Pandemic on Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Nationwide Survey.” Edward W. Seger, MD, MS, and colleagues surveyed fellowship trained Mohs surgeons and found nearly 70% of respondents saw instances of local tumor spread following treatment delays and 20% noted cases of regional or systemic metastasis. Nearly 80% of respondents said pandemic delays were overall harmful to patients. Less than three percent of respondents reported staff tested positive for COVID, and less than three percent of respondents reported patients tested positive for COVID. The authors believe Mohs surgeons can perform surgeries safely and that future recommendations should take into consideration these potential negative implications.
Healio’s article, “Researchers Identify Factors Linked Between Opioid Prescription, Skin Cancer Treatment,” is based on the JDD study, “Opioid Prescriptions and Pain-Related Patient-Initiated Communication After Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study,” by colleagues from the department of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Researchers evaluated patients at their institution who underwent Mohs and found 13% were prescribed opioids postoperatively, and age, number of Mohs stages, repair type, and anatomic site were associated with greater odds of receiving opioids. Opioid use was associated with increased odds of pain-related patient communication following Mohs.
“Sunscreen with Photolyase, Antioxidants Safely Protects Skin, Repairs Signs of Photoaging,” is based on the JDD study, “Evaluation of an SPF50 Sunscreen Containing Photolyase and Antioxidants for its Anti-Photoaging Properties and Photoprotection.” Researchers conducted an open-label, single-center, 12-week study with patients 35-55 years old and Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV. Participants daily applied a tinted mineral-based sunscreen containing 10.7% zinc oxide (SPF50) with photolyase, antioxidants and peptides. More than 60% (63%) of patients showed improvement at week 6 and 81% at week 12, according to the Investigator Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Nearly 60% (58%) of patients reported the appearance of their skin was improved at week 6 and 62.5% at week 12, according to the Subject Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Overall, both investigators and subjects reported a statistically significant improvement in skin radiance and overall facial aesthetics.
Healio also wrote about a JDD study on palmar hyperhidrosis. “Glycopyrronium Cloth May Reduce Palmar Hyperhidrosis,” is based on the study, “Open-Label Cohort Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Application and Glycopyrronium Cloth, 2.4% for Palmar Hyperhidrosis,” by David M. Pariser, MD, and colleagues. The study compared the safety and efficacy of four methods of application of glycopyrronium cloth, which is often used off-label despite the lack of published guidance on the optimal method of application to the palms. Conducted completely via live interactive telemedicine, the study found a 30-minute application without occlusion produced the greatest decrease in Hand Severity Score with an acceptable safety profile. Unilateral mydriasis was the most common adverse event, which presumably occurred inadvertently despite multiple warnings to the subjects to avoid eye contact.
