Study raises concerns about skin cancer detection apps
According to a recent paper published in BMJ, smartphone apps may not be a reliable source for detecting melanoma or other skin cancers. Researchers conducted a systematic review of nine diagnostic accuracy studies of six different smartphone apps and found that the algorithms used in the apps were inconsistent in detecting all cases of melanoma or other skin cancers. According to the paper, the various apps offered different recommendations for the same lesions, and sometimes did not match clinical or molecular-based assessments. According to the paper authors, “These apps could be harmful if recommendations are erroneous, particularly if false reassurance leads to delays in people obtaining medical assessment.”
Should dermatologists fear machine learning? Read more in Dermatology World.
DW Insights and Inquiries: Men in the twilight Zoon
Zoon balanitis is a diagnosis of exclusion. Although prevalent in uncircumcised men, other factors must be at play for Zoon vulvitis or Zoon-like disorders of other mucous membranes.
ZB usually affects middle-aged to older men who are uncircumcised. It is an idiopathic, chronic, benign inflammatory mucositis. ZB is also known as balanitis circumscripta plasmacellularis or plasma cell balanitis of Zoon. Although described as rare in the literature, ZB is probably underdiagnosed.
Classically, ZB presents as symmetrical, well-marginated, erythematous, shiny plaques with multiple pinpoint redder spots (“cayenne pepper spots”) involving the glans, prepuce, or both. Vegetative, erosive, and multiple lesion variants have also been described. Usually, ZB is asymptomatic, although pruritus may be present. The course tends to be chronic and may persist for months to years. Also, ZB may be poorly responsive to topical treatment. Before arriving at a diagnosis of ZB, other entities in the broad differential diagnosis need to be ruled out. Keep reading!
STD medical claims in the U.S. soar
According to a recent report produced by FAIR Health — an independent nonprofit group that analyzes medical claims data — in the last decade, medical claims with STD diagnoses as a percentage of all medical claims jumped 76% nationally and nearly doubled in rural communities. The STD diagnosis with the greatest percentage increase in claim lines as a percentage of all medical claim lines was mycoplasma genitalium. The other STD diagnoses whose associated claim lines had the greatest percent increases were chlamydia at 149%, gonorrhea at 126%, and syphilis at 80%.
Read more about the resurgence of syphilis and the role of dermatologists in treating patients with the disease in Dermatology World.
Does tobacco exposure increase risk of pediatric psoriasis?
According to a study published in JAAD, prenatal tobacco exposure may increase the risk of pediatric psoriasis. The study authors looked at data from 25,000 children in the Danish National Birth Cohort on tobacco exposure in the prenatal, infantile, and childhood periods, and its link with pediatric psoriasis. They found an increased risk of pediatric psoriasis among children with prenatal tobacco exposure, as well as an exposure-response relationship for increasing quantities of cigarettes smoked daily.
Read more about the cutaneous manifestations that can result from vaping in a recent issue of DW Insights and Inquiries.
More than 20% of surgery patients have received surprise medical bills
A retrospective analysis of 347,356 commercially insured patients who underwent elective surgery with in-network primary surgeons and facilities found that 20% of the surgeries resulted in out-of-network surprise charges to the patient. The paper, published in JAMA, indicated that the surprise charges came from other out-of-network clinicians involved in the surgery, such as anesthesiologists. The average bill per surgery was $2,011. In related news, the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee recently approved a bill that would protect patients from surprise medical bills.
Read about how patients are paying the price as insurers and pharmaceutical companies go toe-to-toe in Dermatology World.
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