Risk of COVID-19 infection in atopic dermatitis patients
In aJAADresearch letter, authors used the COVID-19 Research Database to evaluate the risk of COVID-19 infection in nearly 40,000 patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). The incidence rate ratio of COVID-19 diagnosis was 1.18. Patients taking dupilumab had a lower risk of contracting COVID-19 (incidence rate ratio of 0.66) compared to those taking no systemic medication. Additionally, those taking dupilumab showed significantly lower associated risk of contracting COVID-19 infection compared with those exposed to prednisone, cyclosporine, and/or azathioprine. The authors note that interleukin 4 activity, which is blocked by dupilumab, has been associated with severe COVID-19 infections.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: The nexus of VEXAS syndrome
You may not be familiar with VEXAS (Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic) syndrome, but it is conceivable that you have already unknowingly encountered patients with the disorder. Zakine et al focused on the dermatologic manifestations of VEXAS syndrome, identifying eight men whose median age at symptom onset was 65.5 years. All patients had neutrophilic dermatosis skin lesions, including tender red or violaceous papules, sometimes edematous, inflammatory edematous papules on the neck and trunk (sometimes umbilicated), and firm erythematous purpuric or pigmented infiltrated plaques and nodules. Keep reading!
Skin and gut microbiome in hidradenitis suppurativa
In an article published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, the authors analyzed fecal samples, nasal swabs, and skin swabs from 59 patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). They found that the bacterial biodiversity was lower in all samples from HS patients compared to the control subjects. Ruminococcus gnavus (also reported in Crohn’s disease) and Eubacterium rectale were more prevalent in the fecal samples while Finegoldia magna was more prevalent in skin samples of HS patients.
Learn more about strategies to help manage pain for HS patients inDermWorld.
Is imiquimod cream effective for keratoacanthomas?
In a research letter published inJAAD, the authors reviewed 25 patients with keratoacanthomas treated with 5% topical imiquimod cream. Of these, 68% achieved complete remission with a median time to remission of 73 days. Patients who took longer to respond were older than those with an initial good response. While 44% of patients experienced mild irritation, no patients discontinued treatment. The authors found that treating keratoacanthomas with topical imiquimod may be considered for patients who are not ideal candidates for surgical management.
Eye care products that may cause patch test reactions
A study published inContact Dermatitis, explored patch testing results of patients with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Patch testing data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) were used to identify 154 patients with ACD to an eye care product (ECP). Patients with ECP ACD were more likely to be female, older than 40 years, and have a history of hay fever.
[Read about the allergen implicated from use with glucose monitoring systems and insulin pumps inDermWorld Insights and Inquires.]
Screening allergens detected 53.9% of reactions, but the remainder were positive upon supplemental allergen testing. More than 46% of patients would have had at least one positive patch test reaction missed if the patients had only undergone testing with the screening allergen series. The most common allergens observed in patients reacting to ECPs were thimerosal, benzalkonium chloride, oleamidopropyl dimethylamine, propylene glycol, ethylenediamine dihydrochloride, and lanolin. ACD involvement was most common on the eyelid, with 46% of those reporting dermatitis in this location.
Read about acetophenone azine, the 2021 Allergen of the Year in DermWorld.
CMS and OSHA recently published rules expanding vaccination requirements to more health care workers and employees of any business with more than 100 employees. Eligible staff must receive their first shot of one of the three approved vaccines by Dec. 5, 2021. The two-shot vaccination series must be completed by Jan. 4, 2022.Learn more.
Reminder: Check your final 2021 MIPS eligibility status
CMS has updated providers’ Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligibility status based on its review of Medicare Part B claims and Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) data from the second segment of the MIPS Eligibility Determination Period (Oct. 1, 2020 – Sept. 30, 2021). Visit the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Participation Status Tool and review your final MIPS 2021 eligibility status.
If, after a review of the data from the first segment of the MIPS Eligibility Determination Period (Oct. 1, 2019 – Sept. 30, 2020), you were determined to be:
Eligible for MIPS: Your eligibility status could have changed, and you may no longer be eligible. You should use the tool to make sure you’re still eligible.
Not eligible for MIPS at a particular practice: Your eligibility status, based on your association with that particular practice, didn’t change.
Please note, if you joined a new practice (billed under, or assigned your billing rights to, a new or different Tax Identification Number (TIN)) between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021, CMS evaluated your MIPS eligibility status based on your association with that new practice (identified by TIN) for this second review.
If you’re a clinician who joined a new practice after Sept. 30, 2021, you aren’t eligible for MIPS as an individual based on your association with that new practice (identified by TIN). However, you may be eligible to receive a MIPS payment adjustment based on your group’s participation, if the new practice you joined chooses to participate in MIPS as a group. For more information, visit MIPS Participation Options Overview on the Quality Payment Program website.
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