Platelet-rich plasma vs. minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia treatment
According to a study published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be more effective than minoxidil in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In this randomized controlled trial, the investigators evaluated the efficacy of PRP vs. 5% topical minoxidil for the treatment of AGA in 72 patients from a single institution. Patients were treated with either therapy for 12 weeks.
[Factors that influence platelet rich plasma efficacy in androgenetic alopecia. Read more.]
At the beginning of the trial, the average hair count per patient in the PRP group was 83.5 ± 39.63 hairs/cm2 and the average hair count in the minoxidil group was 88.94 ± 36.09 hairs/cm2. All patients were positive for hair pull tests. After 12 weeks of treatment, hair pull tests were negative for 91.7% of the PRP group and 69.4% of the minoxidil group. The authors conclude that PRP therapy demonstrated a higher efficacy compared to minoxidil for treating AGA.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: The woolly culprit — Lanolin revealed as an uncommon cause of dermatitis on normal skin
Lanolin is the 2023 Allergen of the Year and is present in many personal care and industrial products. As such, it can be seen as an allergen in allergic contact dermatitis to personal care products and in occupational contact dermatitis cases, respectively. The lanolin paradox describes those that patch test positive to lanolin but can tolerate this allergen on normal skin. It is felt that individuals may become sensitized to lanolin through products used on compromised skin. These same patients do not have problems when using the lanolin-containing product on normal skin. The repeat open application test (ROAT) can often help direct the use of lanolin-containing products in those that patch test positive to lanolin. Keep reading!
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule highlights, impact on dermatology codes
CMS published the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule on Nov. 2. Read the full CMS description of the 2024 changes, or access the 2024 MIPS highlights. The Academy’s 2024 MIPS highlights include information about annual requirements; details on Quality, Improvement Activities, Promoting Interoperability, and Cost categories; telehealth provisions, and more.
Diagnosis and management of acral pigmented lesions
A review published in Dermatologic Surgery explored various diagnostic and management approaches for acral pigmented lesions, emphasizing the role of dermoscopy. Clinical and dermoscopic characteristics of acquired acral melanocytic nevi, congenital acral melanocytic nevi, acral lentiginous melanoma, and acral melanosis are reviewed. The review also includes several frameworks, including the three-step dermoscopic algorithm and the BRAAFF checklist, to help aid in the accurate diagnosis and surveillance of acral lentiginous melanomas. The authors promote the use of dermoscopy to help facilitate early diagnosis of acral lentiginous melanomas and reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies on acral skin.
Beyond dermoscopy: Emergent technologies enhance imaging, target rare diseases. Read more in DermWorld.
AAD receives $100,000 grant to improve diagnostic excellence
The Council of Medical Specialty Societies, a coalition of 51 specialty societies representing more than 800,000 physicians, has awarded 11 grants of $100,000 each to promote diagnostic excellence across the field of medicine. The American Academy of Dermatology received a grant for “Promoting diagnostic excellence: Diversity, Diagnostics, and Dermatology.”
These funds will support the development and dissemination of resources and programs to improve the timeliness, accuracy, safety, efficiency, patient-centeredness, and equity of diagnostic outcomes for patients in the United States. The awards include several projects that focus on three categories of conditions that are known to cause a disproportionate share of preventable harm from suboptimal diagnosis, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and infection.
Topical application of synthetic melanin promotes tissue repair
Authors of an article published in Nature demonstrated that the topical application of synthetic melanin particles significantly decreases edema, reduces eschar detachment time, and accelerates wound healing. These effects occur both in the skin itself and systemically in the body. When applied in a cream, the synthetic melanin can protect skin from sun exposure and heals skin injured by sun damage or chemical burns.
The technology works by scavenging free radicals produced by injured skin, such as sunburn, and then by halting the production of inflammatory proteins. This initiated a cascade of responses that led to increased rates of healing, including the preservation of healthy skin layers underneath. In the samples that did not have the melanin cream treatment, the blistering persisted.
One year since launch, where do things stand with the AAD’s Your Dermatologist Knows consumer positioning strategy? Read more.
The increasing volume of scoring information that can change after the data submission period has made preliminary scores unreliable. As a result, CMS is eliminating the Preliminary Score and preliminary category level scores from submission beginning with data submission for the 2023 performance year. Physicians will be able to preview 2023 final scores in mid-June 2024 and view the 2025 MIPS payment adjustment information in mid-August 2024. Read more.
MIPS automatic EUC applies to designated areas in Florida, Georgia
CMS has announced that the MIPS automatic Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) policy will apply to MIPS-eligible clinicians in certain counties in the states of Florida and Georgia. This decision was made in response to the FEMA disaster declaration due to Hurricane Idalia. MIPS-eligible clinicians in the specified counties will have all performance categories reweighted to 0% for the 2023 performance period and receive a neutral payment adjustment for the 2025 MIPS payment year. Learn more on the QPP Exception Applications webpage and review the 2023 MIPS Automatic EUC Policy Fact Sheet.
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