Skin & Allergy News articles from November 2007

Skin & Allergy News archives from November 2007

p16 genetic testing has limited impact.(Cutaneous Oncology)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MONTEREY, CALIF. -- Recommend p16 mutation genetic testing only in patients with multiple primary melanomas or a family history that includes multiple cases of melanoma or pancreatic cancer, advised Dr. Susan Swetter...

Two-thirds reach PASI-75 with new biologic agent: ustekinumab combines efficacy and safety.(News)
November 1, 2007... More than two-thirds of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis achieved at least a 75% reduction in area and severity after just two subcutaneous doses of ustekinumab, according to phase III study results presented at the 21st...

TAN Act persistence pays: FDA to study UV bed risks.(News)(Tanning Accountability and Notification Act)(Food and Drug Administration)(ultraviolet)
November 1, 2007... The Food and Drug Administration soon will begin to scrutinize the warning labels on tanning beds, under a new federal law signed by the president in late September. The Tanning Accountability and Notification Act was included in the Food...

Case of the month.(zygomycosis)(Case study)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An adult male inpatient receiving massive doses of corticosteroids to control cerebral edema that developed after a motor vehicle accident rapidly developed a fuzzy white lesion in an area of scalp abrasions. The...

Posttransplant melanoma studied.(News)
November 1, 2007... BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND -- Melanoma prognosis in most patients who have undergone organ transplantation is no worse than that in the general population, according to preliminary results from the largest cohort of transplant recipients with melanoma...

Skin cancer rates soar after combined transplant.(News)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- The risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer following simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation is four times greater than after kidney transplantation alone, Dr. Irma Wisgerhof said at the annual meeting of the European...

Cross-protection may extend Gardasil's benefit.(News)
November 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- The quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil offers cross-protection against cancer-causing HPV types not included in the vaccine, according to data reported in a poster at the annual Interscience Conference on...

Law strengthens FDA's authority and funding.(News)
November 1, 2007... President Bush has signed into law legislation that reauthorizes the Food and Drug Administration's collection of fees from drug and device makers to review their products and gives it new safety monitoring and enforcement powers. The new...

Estimated incidence of MRSA infections called 'astounding'.(News)(methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections )(Clinical report)
November 1, 2007... The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in the United States may be higher than previously thought and represents a major public health problem, according to a nationwide estimate of the burden of the disease,...

Biologics compared for plaque psoriasis.(News)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- Infliximab is the most effective biologic induction therapy for patients with moderate to severe plaque-type psoriasis, according to a meta-analysis of 17 randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials. Of patients receiving 10-12...

Diet increases effect of low-dose cyclosporine in psoriasis patients.(News)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- Combining a supervised weight-loss diet with substandard-dose cyclosporine in obese patients with severe chronic plaque psoriasis makes for very effective therapy, Dr. Paolo Gisondi reported at the annual meeting of the European...

Number of all-cause psoriasis hospitalizations up 83% over a 12-year period.(DATA WATCH)
November 1, 2007... Number of All-Cause Psoriasis Hospitalizations Up 83% Over a 12-Year Period 1993 42,302 2000 54,996 2004 77,404 Note: Based on data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Source: Dr. Omar Dabbous Note: Table made...

Group to explore genetics of drug adverse events.(News)
November 1, 2007... A group of seven of the largest drug manufacturers has formed a consortium to study the genetics of serious adverse drug reactions. The Serious Adverse Events Consortium will work closely with the Food and Drug Administration on the...

Verbatim.(News)
November 1, 2007... 'With the newer products we have a new language, and we are talking about volume, contour, and sculpting. Our aesthetic eye is changing and adjusting to our new tools.' Dr. Doris J. Day, on hyaluronic acid fillers, p. 24.

IgA presence confirms Henoch-Schonlein finding.(News)
November 1, 2007... The diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura requires a small-vessel biopsy to confirm the presence of IgA, Dr. Thomas G. Cropley said at the 21st World Congress of Dermatology in Buenos Aires. IgA deposits in vessel walls along with prominent...

Researchers suggest NSF, transglutaminase expression link.(News)
November 1, 2007... Increased expression of transglutaminase in patients with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis may offer new insight into the pathogenesis, treatment, and possibly prevention of the syndrome, according to the authors of a new study,...

Rituximab helps to uncover pemphigus origin.(News)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- The impressive therapeutic success of rimximab for severe pemphigus has generated new clues into the pathogenesis of this group of life-threatening bullous diseases, Dr. Michael Hertl said at the annual meeting of the European Society...

HLA typing identifies pemphigus risk factors.(News)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- The human leukocyte antigen class II DRB1*0402 allele proved to be the strongest genetic risk factor for pemphigus vulgaris in both whites and IndoAsians in the largest HLA typing study to date conducted in a European population, Dr....

FDA targets unapproved hydrocodone products.(News)
November 1, 2007... The Food and Drug Administration has requested manufacturers and distributors of unapproved cough suppressants containing hydrocodone to stop marketing their products or face legal action. "The industry has been and is well aware that its...

Lamisil, medihoney dressing.(New & Approved)
November 1, 2007... Lamisil Oral Granules (terbinafine HCI, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.) The Food and Drug Administration approved Lamisil Oral Granules, a new pediatric formulation of terbinafine HCl, for the treatment of tinea capitis in children...

FDA approves recommended relaxation of iPLEDGE.(News)
November 1, 2007... As expected, the Food and Drug Administration has relaxed some of the rules for prescribing the acne drug isotretinoin, including eliminating the 23-day lockout period for women of childbearing potential. However, women still must have...

The 'big bang theory' of sunburn.(Under My Skin)
November 1, 2007... Henrietta had certainly seen some sun in her 50-plus years. Her skin looked and felt like beef jerky. Still, it was one specific sunburn that she recalled. "Ten years ago in Aruba," she said, "I fell asleep on the beach and burned like...

Courageous analysis.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I was very pleased to read the analysis by Dr. Jamshid A. Marvasti ("Physicians as Killers?" Guest Editorial, September 2007, p. 12). At a time when so much of our discourse in the media and in institutions of higher learning is based on...

No excuses for terrorist physicians.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... I am not sure that Skin & Allergy News is any better a forum than the Academy or Emmy Awards for a discussion of the war in Iraq, but at least Dr. Jamshid A. Marvasti's comments pertained to the role of physicians in the ongoing violence...

Editorial has no place here.(Letters)(Letter to the editor)
November 1, 2007... Dr. Jamshid A. Marvasti's editorial ("Physicians as Killers?" Guest Editorial, September 2007, p. 12) has no place in this dermatology publication. While the article starts with some relevancy to physicians, it turns into an anti-American...

Pain relievers.(Opinion)(Cartoon)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Actually, they could put Humpty together again, but the procedure wasn't covered by his insurance."

Noninvasive imaging allows for early evaluation.(Cutaneous Oncology)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy is a useful diagnostic tool for pigmented skin lesions that are clinically and dermoscopically equivocal, Dr. Verena Ahlgrimm-Siess said at the annual meeting of the European Society for...

Vascular clues on dermoscopy can aid diagnosis.(Cutaneous Oncology)
November 1, 2007... ORLANDO -- Vascular structures visualized on dermoscopy aid in the diagnosis of both benign and malignant nonpigmented tumors of the skin, Dr. Brian Katz said at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. In fact,...

Dermoscopy's popularity and applications continue to expand.(Cutaneous Oncology)
November 1, 2007... ORLANDO -- The field of dermoscopy is expanding rapidly, as demonstrated both by the increase in published papers on the topic in recent years and by the increasing number of uses for the technology, Dr. Brian Katz said at the annual meeting of...

MELTUMP lesions often perplexing.(Cutaneous Oncology)
November 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MONTEREY, CALIF. -- Melanocytic tumors of unknown malignant potential represent some of the most difficult cases in pediatric dermatology, since little agreement exists about their diagnostic criteria, management, or...

When using fillers, underpromise and overdeliver.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... NEW YORK -- Hyaluronic acid fillers can successfully replace the facial volume that is lost to aging, but it's important to be reasonable in expectations and careful in selection of patients, Dr. Doris J. Day said at a conference on the aging...

Lipodissolve mesotherapy is gaining popularity.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... ORLANDO -- When used correctly and with proper training, the Lipodissolve method of mesotherapy can be a good way to treat localized fat deposits, according to Dr. Edward Szachowicz II. Said to permanently dissolve localized fat,...

Radiofrequency technology has unique dermatologic niche.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... ORLANDO -- Radiofrequency technology has a number of properties that make it useful for dermatologic and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Jeffrey Ellis said during a presentation at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of Dermatologic Surgeons. ...

Caffeic acid.(Cosmeceutical Critique)
November 1, 2007... Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is found in several grains, fruits, and vegetables. It also occurs in coffee, particularly in its esterified form, chlorogenic acid (5-caffeoylquinic acid) (Biomed. Papers 2003;147:137-45; J. Nutr....

Minimally invasive procedures will keep patients coming back.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Offering minimally invasive procedures completes the package for patients and will keep them coming back, said Dr. Jennifer Linder at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery....

Presurgical intervention reduced patients' smoking.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Cosmetic surgeons are in a unique position to help their patients quit smoking, Dr. Howard Krein said at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. "Our results suggest that...

Injectables menu offers options for most patients.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- As more aesthetic patients seek instant results without the downtime or expense of surgery, their needs can be met by choosing from a menu of injectable products that include permanent, semipermanent, and short-term fillers. ...

Verbatim.(Aesthetic Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... 'Sen. Clinton appears to believe that your can take money from health insurance and drug company lobbyists and sit at the table with them and negotiate a compromise. I absolutely reject that. The way you get it done is to convince the American...

Rash may cover much of body in dengue fever.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... Aspen, Colo. -- Corticosteroids have no current role in the management of dengue fever, Dr. Suchitra Rao said a conference on pediatric infectious diseases sponsored by Children's Hospital, Denver, and the University of Colorado. Systemic...

No link found between lichen sclerosis, Lyme.(Infectious Diseases)(Brief article)
November 1, 2007... ZURICH -- Borrelia burgdorferi infection is unlikely to play a role in the pathogenesis of male genital lichen sclerosis, Dr. Emma V. Edmonds said at the annual meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research. Since the skin...

Gardasil, Zostavax: the questions patients ask.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... MONTEREY, CALIF. -- Although most physicians are familiar with the basic facts concerning the newly introduced Gardasil and Zostavax vaccines, questions still surround their use. Zostavax, a 14-fold concentrated version of Varivax, the...

DNA testing for HPV yields faster results than cytology.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... DNA testing for high-risk human papillomavirus is more sensitive than cytologic testing alone and leads to earlier detection of high-grade lesions, which could mean fewer lifetime screenings for women, according to a Dutch randomized control...

Statins may offer protective effect against MRSA.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- Statins have antimicrobial effects in vitro, including against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, according to data presented at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The drug...

Longer season for influenza vaccination urged.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- For the second year in a row, federal officials and professional societies are urging health care providers to administer influenza vaccination beyond the traditional months of October and November. A record number of doses...

FDA approves nasal flu vaccine for children aged 2-5 years.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... The Food and Drug Administration approved the nasal influenza vaccine FluMist for children aged 2-5 years, which could help push up childhood vaccination rates. FluMist manufacturer MedImmune Inc. said that it anticipated shipping the...

Less than quarter of children under 2 years get flu vaccine.(Infectious Diseases)
November 1, 2007... Influenza vaccination of children aged 6-23 months remains low, with only 21% of children in this age group being fully vaccinated against influenza during the 2005-2006 season, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and...

Malignancy is top concern with giant nevi.(Pediatric Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- A treatment plan for infants and children with large and giant nevi must satisfy concerns about malignancy while optimizing aesthetic and functional outcomes for the patient, Dr. Bruce Bauer said at the annual meeting of the Society...

Topical steroids underused in atopic dermatitis.(Pediatric Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... Topical corticosteroids, a first-line therapy for atopic dermatitis, appear to be poorly prescribed for pediatric patients, based on an analysis of data from two national databases of patient visits. Fewer than a third of the estimated 7.4...

Think 'four p's' when making allergic contact diagnosis.(Pediatric Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO -- Allergic contact dermatitis looks like other forms of dermatitis, but the history and some visual clues can help make the diagnosis, Dr. Anna L. Bruckner said at a meeting sponsored by Skin Disease Education Foundation. A...

Expert shares challenging cases from Stanford.(Pediatric Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... CORONADO, CALIF. -- Making the correct diagnosis and choosing the best therapy are standard goals of dermatology practice, but sometimes that's easier said than done. At the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association, Dr. Anna...

Hemangioma treatment does not affect infant bone density.(Pediatric Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... CHICAGO -- Bone density was no different in children who were treated with oral glucocorticoids for hemangiomas of infancy than it was in healthy controls, based on data presented in a poster at the annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric...

Laser 'gun' can decrease IV cannulation pain.(Pediatric Dermatology)
November 1, 2007... TORONTO -- Pretreating the skin with a low-power erbium:YAG laser significantly reduced the pain of intravenous cannulation in children in a double-blind randomized trial of 94 patients. The laser treatment works by removing a small area of...

End-on dermoscopy sheds light on melanonychia.(Hair & Nails)
November 1, 2007... NEW YORK -- End-on dermoscopy is an invaluable tool in making an accurate diagnosis in patients who present with dark streaks in the nails of their fingers or toes, Dr. Nathaniel Jellinek said at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy...

'Fungal Fridays' and other onychomycosis treatment tips.(Hair & Nails)
November 1, 2007... CORONADO, CALIF. -- A patient who has abnormal-looking nails with a normal plantar and web surface is unlikely to have onychomycosis, Dr. Boni E. Elewski said at the annual meeting of the Pacific Dermatologic Association. The presence of...

Daily shaving is best treatment for razor bumps.(Hail & Nails)
November 1, 2007... HONOLULU -- Although many black men with pseudofolliculitis barbae, otherwise known as "razor bumps," may express horror at the idea of shaving every day, this may be their best option, said Dr. Milton Moore at the annual meeting of the...

SEER data show faster drop in cancer mortality.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... Overall cancer mortality in the United States dropped an average of 2.1% per year during 2002-2004, nearly twice the 1.1% yearly average decline observed in 1993-2002. But the burden of cancer remains high and widely varying among American...

New data show bariatric surgery lowers mortality.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... Two research groups have found the long-sought evidence that the benefits of bariatric surgery translate into decreased mortality for obese patients. Bariatric surgery, particularly gastric bypass, has been shown to induce substantial and...

Blacks, hispanics downplay obesity.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... HONOLULU -- Many overweight black and Hispanic adults' estimates of their obesity-related health problems are more optimistic than are practice-based statistical findings, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the National...

Obesity tied to levels of fat-soluble vitamins.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... SAN DIEGO -- Obese patients have higher serum levels of the fat-soluble vitamins A and E than do their thinner counterparts, according to an analysis of data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The finding...

Multiplayer online games can be helpful, hurtful.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO -- More patients than ever who seek mental health care are living at least part of their time in fantasy worlds--and they're not alone there. Millions of people around the world play online games that immerse them in a...

Teens' illicit drug use down, but prescription abuse up.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- There's good and bad news from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Overall drug use among adolescents has declined since 2002, but prescription drug misuse among young adults has skyrocketed. [ILLUSTRATION...

Reducing infection vital for patients on biologics.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... BOSTON -- The increased risk of tuberculosis and other serious infections associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor--[alpha] therapy should be "seriously considered" when making treatment decisions, but it should not preclude the use of these...

Adalimumab label to show 5-year data on joint damage inhibition.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... The prescribing label for adalimumab now includes 5-year data showing that treatment with the tumor necrosis factor blocker inhibits irreversible joint damage for up to 5 years in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to an announcement...

Undetectable HIV doesn't preclude transmission.(Across Specialties)
November 1, 2007... BOSTON -- Women on highly active antiretroviral therapy for human immunodeficiency virus whose plasma viral load is below detectable levels may continue to shed the virus intermittently in the genital tract, Dr. Susan Cu-Uvin said at the annual...

FDA warns on tanning product.(Policy & Practice)
November 1, 2007... The FDA has urged those using a product called Melanotan II to stop immediately and contact their physicians if they have had an adverse event they suspect is tied to the injectable agent. Melanotan's maker, Hendersonville, Tenn.-based...

U.S. women less wrinkle tolerant.(Policy & Practice)
November 1, 2007... American women are the least likely to tolerate wrinkles' closely followed by Italian, British, Spanish, French, and German women, but women in France and Italy are more likely to use dermal fillers, according to a recent survey. A total of...

Wal-Mart expands $4 generics.(Policy & Practice)
November 1, 2007... Wal-Mart has added 24 medications to its growing list of generic prescription drug products that patients can receive for $4 for a 30-day supply. The prescriptions can be filled at 4,005 Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, and Neighborhood Market pharmacies...

NJ task force examines M.D. gifts.(Policy & Practice)
November 1, 2007... The New Jersey Attorney General's Advisory Task Force on Physician Compensation, which met for the first time in September, is examining the potential impact of payments and gifts to physicians from the drug and device industry. The task force...

One-third of Americans uninsured.(Policy & Practice)
November 1, 2007... According to a September report by Families USA, almost 35% of Americans had no health care coverage for at least part of 2006-2007, up from about 30% in 1999-2000. Of these, 19% were uninsured for the entire period and 19% were uninsured for...

Insurance premium increase slows.(POLICY & PRACTICE)
November 1, 2007... Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums rose on average 6.1% in 2007, reflecting a continuing slowdown in premium increases. The 2007 premium increase is the smallest hike since 1999, according to an employer survey by the Kaiser Family...

Credit card processing.(Managing Your Dermatology Practice)
November 1, 2007... Last month, I outlined the advantages of accepting credit cards in your office, both for capturing charges immediately at the time of service and for billing residual balances which come in later. (If you missed that column, you can find it at...

Edwards outlines plan for universal health care.(Election 2008)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- According to Democratic presidential candidate and malpractice attorney John Edwards, the best way to solve the malpractice insurance crisis is to put the onus on... the malpractice attorneys. The former senator from North...

Health information technology adoption varies by specialty.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2007... Adoption of health information technology varies significantly among physicians in different specialties, according to a new study from the Center for Studying Health System Change. While only 12% of physicians overall have adopted...

Proper labeling key to digital imaging success.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- Develop a unique cataloging system for digital images to make tracking and retrieving patient information quicker and easier, Dr. Clinton Humphrey said at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy for Facial Plastic and...

Young adults have highest uninsured rate over a 2-year period.(DATA WATCH)
November 1, 2007... Young Adults Have Highest Uninsured Rate Over a 2-Year Period Age (years) <18 3.8% 18-24 16.8% 25-29 17.0% 30-34 13.2% 35-54 11.5% 55-64 8.4% Note: Based on data for...

SCHIP short 10 votes, negotiations start again.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2007... Congress and the Bush administration headed back to the negotiating table in mid-October after the House of Representatives failed to override President Bush's veto of the State Children's Health Insurance Program reauthorization legislation....

Navigating life as a single father.(The Rest of Your Life)
November 1, 2007... Dr. Steve S. Sommer can't recall I feeling more alone than in 1997, when he became a single father after separating from his wife of many years. The couple's older daughter was 9 years old at the time, and their boy-girl twins were 4 years old....

P4P advocates admit problems with programs.(Practice Trends)(pay for performance)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- If you're of the mind that the pay-for-performance plans instituted by federal as well as private payers are questionable at best and potentially dangerous at worst, don't worry: you're not alone. Many of the pay-for-performance...

Incentives are not improving care, expert says.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2007... WASHINGTON -- The few studies that have examined the effectiveness of incentivized pay-for-performance programs have found a mix of moderate to no improvement in quality measures, which, in some instances, have led to unintended consequences,...

Prevention efforts could save 100,000 lives a year.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2007... Increasing the use of aspirin, colorectal cancer screening, influenza immunizations, and a few other simple preventive measures would save more than 100,000 lives each year in the United States, according to a new study. The biggest...

Nail Lacquer for onychomycosis.(Products)
November 1, 2007... Ciclopirox Topical Solution, 8% (Nail Lacquer), has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the topical treatment of onychomycosis of the fingernails and toenails. For more information, contact Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd....

Laser comb gets FDA clearance.(Products)
November 1, 2007... The Food and Drug Administration has given clearance to the HairMax LaserComb, which is indicated to promote hair growth in people who are bald or have thinning hair. The comb costs $545.00 and is available online at www.hairmax.com.

Fractional laser.(Products)
November 1, 2007... The MiXto SX C[O.sub.2] laser is available for skin resurfacing and rejuvenation. The laser delivers tight, 0.3-mm spots. An algorithm divides the treatment area into four quadrants and skips the beam from quadrant to quadrant so that each...

Mineral moisturizer.(Products)
November 1, 2007... EmerginC Earth is a midweight cream containing Phytelene-based copper, iron, manganese, and magnesium, as well as collagen and elastin. The cream hydrates the skin and improves tone and texture. For more information, contact emerginC by calling...