Dermatology Times featured a JDD study on whether race plays a factor in access to biologics. The study, “No Racial Differences Found in Access to Biologics: A Population-Based Study of Psoriasis Patients in the United States,” by Rasika Reddy, MD, and colleagues compared biologic use among U.S. adult and pediatric psoriasis patients of different racial backgrounds. Researchers looked at data from the 2003 to 2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). A multivariate logistic regression showed no significant differences in biologic access between whites and non-whites after adjusting for sociodemographic factors including insurance status. The authors wrote that the study suggests that race alone is not independently associated with biologic access among psoriasis patients in the U.S., though additional studies are necessary to evaluate factors that are independently associated with biologic access.
Healio wrote about a JDD study on whether hormonal treatments are safe for women with hidradenitis suppurativa. The study, “Hormonal Treatments in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review,” by Rahul Masson and colleagues reviewed 30 studies that addressed anti-androgen treatments, metabolic treatments, hormonal contraceptives and testosterone. Of the articles that reported response rates, 62.8% of patients improved with finasteride, 53.3% with CPA mono/combination therapy, 50.5% with spironolactone, and 46.0% with metformin. Case reports also noted an improvement in HS in patients treated with buserelin acetate, leuprolide, flutamide and liraglutide. The researchers wrote that large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to determine optimal dosing and which subpopulations may benefit the most from each treatment.
HealthCentral’s slideshow on instant skin soothers for psoriasis included a JDD study. “Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena sativa) Contribute to the Effectiveness of Oats in Treatment of Itch Associated with Dry, Irritated Skin,” by Kurt A. Reynertson, PhD, and colleagues from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company Inc., sought to determine the exact mechanism of action for the anti-inflammatory activity of colloidal oatmeal. The study was both lab and clinically based: Four extracts of colloidal oatmeal were made with various solvents and tested in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant assays. In addition, 29 healthy female participants with bilateral mild to moderate itch and moderate to severe dry skin on their lower legs were treated with a colloidal oatmeal skin protectant lotion. Researchers in the lab found that extracts of colloidal oatmeal diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines in vitro, while clinical researchers found the colloidal oat skin protectant lotion showed significant improvements in skin dryness, scaling, roughness and itch intensity.
