August 7
IN THIS ISSUE / August 7, 2019
- What effect has iPLEDGE had on pregnancy rates?
- DW Insights and Inquiries: Snitching on Schnitzler syndrome — The continuing search for an optimal biomarker
- U.S. Virgin Islands bans sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate
- Joint clinical guidelines provide evidence-based practices for treating psoriasis
- Submit an abstract for the Gross and Microscopic Symposium
What effect has iPLEDGE had on pregnancy rates?
A new study published online in JAMA Dermatology that looked at pregnancies in people taking isotretinoin found that iPLEDGE alone may not be responsible for the drop in pregnancies and that new approaches for lowering fetal exposure to the drug should be explored.
iPLEDGE was introduced in 2006 and pregnancy rates continued to climb, peaking in 2008, and plateauing in 2011. From 1997 to 2017, there were 6,740 pregnancies in people taking isotretinoin reported to the U.S Food and Drug Administration. While the number of pregnancies, abortions, and fetal defects among women taking the drug has declined since iPLEDGE began, they continue to persist.
The study authors recommend “further research to determine the most efficacious system to reduce complications for patients and administrative requirements for physicians.”
Read more about how dermatologists say iPLEDGE has hit some targets while missing others in Dermatology World.
Related Content:
- Isotretinoin, depression, and suicide: What’s the connection? – DW Weekly (July 2019)
- iPLEDGE hits a snag with patients – DW Weekly (July 2018)
- Dissecting the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies safety program – Dermatology World (July 2017)
- AAD product: 2019 Annual Meeting On-Demand Recordings
Urticarial dermatoses confound even our most sagacious dermatologists. It is no surprise that patients with systemic autoinflammatory diseases such as Schnitzler syndrome (SS) go undiagnosed for years after failed trials of antihistamines, steroids, and other immunosuppressive therapies. In a recent survey of 134 academic German-speaking departments (dermatology, rheumatology, and pediatrics), the median delay in diagnosing SS was up to six years.
SS is a rare, acquired autoinflammatory, neutrophilic disorder with fewer than 300 reported cases. (I suspect that SS is not that rare — while researching this commentary, I can think of several patients where I should have considered the diagnosis — I surmise that SS is underreported.) Keep reading!
U.S. Virgin Islands bans sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate
Lawmakers in the U.S. Virgin Islands voted to ban the sale, distribution, and import of sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. The ban will go into effect in three stages:
- Dec. 31, 2019: Importation will be illegal
- March 30, 2020: Sale or distribution will be banned
- Jan. 1, 2021: Use or possession will be banned and violators will face a fine
Related Content:
- Miami Beach Commission committee rejects sunscreen ingredient ban – DW Weekly (July 2019)
- Academy issues statement on sunscreen safety – DW Weekly (May 2019)
- Breaking down the FDA’s new sunscreen proposal – DW Weekly (February 2019)
- Hawaii governor signs legislation banning sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate – DW Weekly (July 2018)
Joint clinical guidelines provide evidence-based practices for treating psoriasis
The AAD and NPF have published three joint psoriasis guidelines now available online in JAAD, including the most recently published guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with phototherapy. Learn more about the psoriasis guidelines and access additional resources for physicians and patients.
Related Content:
- NEW! JAAD: Best of Psoriasis collection
- Answer last week’s phototherapy-related Question of the Week
- JAAD bonus issue of Dialogues: Psoriasis guidelines for phototherapy
- Collaboration and diverse expertise strengthen clinical practice guidelines – Dermatology World (February 2019)
- Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis patient pamphlet
Submit an abstract for the Gross and Microscopic Symposium
The Gross and Microscopic Dermatology Symposium provides an opportunity for a five-minute presentation of clinical and investigative studies of patients and their disease. Studies for consideration should focus on common diseases with unusual facets or unusual diseases with attendant teaching value. Selected applicants will present at the symposium during the Academy’s 2020 Annual Meeting in Denver.
A panel of judges will select a grand prize winner, who will receive complimentary registration for the 2021 Annual Meeting. Abstracts must be submitted by 5 p.m. (CST) Aug. 28, 2019.
