OTC scar treatments: What does the evidence say about efficacy?
In a recent study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, authors reviewed and graded the evidence regarding efficacy of over-the-counter (OTC) scar treatments, including scar massage, scar taping, silicone gel sheeting, onion extract, and vitamin E. While there were studies for each of these home remedies, many were of poor quality and had conflicting results.
Onion extract products, massage, and vitamin E received a level D recommendation, whereas taping and silicone gel received a level C recommendation.
Read more about how to meet patients’ desire for alternative medicine with evidence-based care in DermWorld.
DermWorld Insights and Inquiries: Studying skin aging never gets old — The potential role of oxytocin
Everyday dermatologists address patient concerns about their aging skin — whether they are presenting for medical, surgical, or cosmetic problems. Extrinsic factors such as ultraviolet light and smoking resulting in a leathery, coarsely wrinkled appearance are well recognized. Intrinsic, chronologic aging causing thin, dry, finely wrinkled skin and sagging is less well understood. All tissues undergo aging, in which a proportion of cells experience a type of age-related deterioration known as cellular senescence. In the skin, this affects epidermal keratinocytes, the dermis (in collagen, elastin, and extracellular matrix), and adipocytes. Unquestionably, both intrinsic and extrinsic factors may work in concert resulting in cutaneous aging. Keep reading!
Medicare advance payment program receives repayment extension
As part of the CARES Act, CMS expanded its accelerated and advance payment program. CMS suspended this program on April 26. However, due in part to the AADA’s advocacy, on Oct. 1, the President signed a Continuing Resolution which extended both the period before repayment begins and the period before the balance must be repaid, reduced the recoupment percentage, and lowered the interest rate for payments made under the program to 4%.
Without this new law, if you obtained a loan through this program, you would have been required to start paying back the loan 120 days after receiving the loan and would need to pay back the full amount of the loan 210 days after receiving the loan. If you do not pay back the full amount by the time CMS requests full payment (within 31 days of a request) you would have been charged accruing interest at a variable Treasury rate (9.625% as of April 21). Get the details.
Virtual group election period open for MIPS 2021
The election period to form a virtual group for the 2021 MIPS performance year is now open. To form a virtual group, physicians must follow an election process and email the submission to CMS by Dec. 31, 2020. Get more information about the election process in CMS’ 2021 Virtual Groups Toolkit.
A virtual group must submit an election to CMS for each performance year that it intends to participate in MIPS as a virtual group. If your virtual group was approved for the 2020 MIPS performance year and intends to participate in MIPS as a virtual group for the 2021 MIPS performance year, your virtual group is still required to submit an election to CMS for the 2021 MIPS performance year by Dec. 31, 2020.
A virtual group is a combination of two or more taxpayer identification numbers (TINs) assigned to:
Solo practitioners who are MIPS eligible (a solo practitioner is defined as the only physician in a practice); and/or
Groups that have 10 or fewer physicians (at least one physician within the group must be MIPS-eligible). A group is considered to be an entire single TIN.
Reducing pain, anxiety for dermatologic procedures using local anesthesia
A randomized controlled trial published in JAAD found that patients who listened to classical music during non-Mohs dermatologic procedures using local anesthesia had significantly reduced pain and anxiety scores.
Participants were randomized into two groups: 45 participants were placed in a music group where they were played Frederic Chopin’s piano nocturnes during local anesthesia injection, and 46 were placed in a placebo control group where they underwent injection without music. After the injection, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire for pain (visual analog scale) and anxiety (state trait anxiety inventory).
According to the study authors, “the therapeutic effects of music are likely mediated by a complex network involving the 86 auditory cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and dopaminergic mesolimbic reward pathway. Music also reduces heart rate, and has variable effects on blood pressure, respiratory rate, skin temperature, salivary cortisol, and serum glucose.”
In collaboration with the FDA, the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (M-CERSI) is conducting an anonymous survey to better understand how compounded drugs containing bulk drug substances are used in clinical practice. Protecting dermatologists’ access to compounded drugs is a top advocacy priority for the AADA and quality data will help the Academy effectively advocate for the specialty and its patients.
The goal of this survey is to understand how medical practitioners prescribe and administer compounded drugs. The survey feedback will help the FDA develop a list of drugs that can be used in bulk compounding by 503B outsourcing facilities. The anonymous responses will be shared with the FDA as part their project, “Clinical Use of Drugs Including Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding by Outsourcing Facilities.”
Several substances are being surveyed as it relates to the specialty, including lidocaine, epinephrine, salicylic acid, lactic acid, thymol iodide, and others. Provide your input today.
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