IJWD Spotlights: Explore the Latest Research

-

curated by the WDS Academic Dermatology Committee

October 2025 - Volume 11 - Issue 3

Analysis of the potential for immunosuppression of infants with in-utero and breast milk exposure to antitumor necrosis factor alpha agents: are all agents equally safe?

Yaghi M, Dulai AS, Haddad NR, Murase EM, Murase JE

Yaghi et al. review the safety of using tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding. These drugs are commonly used to treat inflammatory conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, which can pose significant risks to both maternal and fetal health if left untreated. The use of TNFi during pregnancy has been controversial due to concerns about potential risks to the developing fetus, including immune suppression.  The review found that infants exposed to TNFi, either during pregnancy or breastfeeding, did not have higher rates of serious infections or problems with vaccine responses compared to unexposed infants. However, the authors recommend caution with the BCG vaccine for infants exposed to TNFi in utero. Overall, the findings support the continued use of TNFi during pregnancy and breastfeeding when needed, with appropriate monitoring and informed discussions between patients and healthcare providers.


June 2025 - Volume 11 - Issue 2

Prior anogenital herpes and human papillomavirus infections are associated with increased risk of lichen sclerosus in a large retrospective cohort study

Singal, Amit; Curtis, Kaya L.; Lipner, Shari R.

Lichen sclerosus is a rare inflammatory condition that most commonly affects the anogenital area, and its exact cause is not well understood. Singal et al researched potential associations between lichen sclerosus and infections using the TriNetX research database. The authors found that patients with lichen sclerosus had a higher prevalence of infections including HPV, HSV, Lyme, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. A history of HPV vaccination was associated with a decreased risk of lichen sclerosus. Based on these results, the authors suggest that infections might play a role in triggering or contributing to the development of lichen sclerosus, possibly by setting off an autoimmune response.

Alopecia as a side effect of fertility treatments in women

Kamili, Nourine A.H.; Howard, Jade; Radi, Rakan; Krueger, Loren D

The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), has increased. While alopecia has been reported by patients as a side effect of ART, no studies have been published thus far. The authors conducted a comprehensive analysis of Google search trends and patient experiences on Reddit, which showed a growing public interest in alopecia associated with fertility treatments. On Reddit, patients debated whether to continue IVF treatments after experiencing significant hair loss and also shared recommendations on management of their ART-associated alopecia. With the scarcity of information in traditional medical resources, this study reiterates the importance to address these gaps in medical literature. 

Concordance of DLQI and pain score in hidradenitis suppurativa clinical trials: a systematic review

Greene, Adina BA; Hwang, Angelina S. MD; Amjad, Sarah BS; Kechter, Jacob A. MD; Mangold, Aaron R. MD; Chen, Stella X. MD

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that most commonly affects the armpits, groin, and folds. HS can have significant psychosocial impacts on patient’s quality of life. In clinical trials, studies often focus on clinician-assessed lesion counts, but these measurements do not always correlate with patients’ quality of life metrics. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can translate how changes in the number of lesions have impacted the patient’s life, and the authors found a high concordance between improvement in PROs and improvement in the number of lesions. Encouragingly, the authors also found that PROs are being utilized more frequently in HS clinical trials. 


March 2025 - Volume 11 - Issue 1

Examining gender trends of conference leadership at the Society of Investigative Dermatology conference, 2018–2023

Manjunath, Jaya BSa,; Ching, Lauren BSb; Yamamoto, Rebecca K. BS, BAb; Gabra, Jessica BSb; Snee, Isabel BSb; Larson, Allison R. MDc

Manjunath et al sought to understand gender trends in conference leadership at the Society of Investigative Dermatology Annual Meetings from 2018-2013. Leadership in the SID is an important milestone, especially for academic and investigative dermatologists.  Interestingly, they found that from 2018 - 2022 there was relative gender parity among conference leaders, suggesting that SID leadership is representative of their 41% women membership.  In 2023, the Inaugural International Societies of Investigative Dermatology Meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan and at this meeting, there were significantly fewer woman in leadership positions.  This may point to continued gender gaps among similar societies outside of the US.

Management of psoriasis in women18 to 45 years of age in Australia and Japan: insights from patient and dermatologist surveys

Yamaguchi, Yukie MD, PhDa; Spelman, Lynda MBBS, FACDb; Mizutani, Yoko MD, PhDc; Lukowski, Bartosz PhDd; Lanzafame, Alfred PhDe; Smith, Annika MBBS, MPHTMf

Yamaguchi et al present an international survey-based study exploring the state of psoriasis management for women of child bearing age (WoCBA) in Japan and Australia.  The researchers surveyed both patients (women aged 18 to 45 with psoriasis) and dermatologists and found that overall, both groups felt they lacked the data needed to make an informed decision.  Regarding use of TNF inhibitors, patients in Japan were more likely to stop TNF inhibitors before or at the start of pregnancy due to patient-percieved provider concerns for fetal harm.  Interestingly, when surveying dermatologists, the researchers found similar levels of discomfort with TNF inhibitor treatment in women who are pregnant or planning pregnancy.  Overall, dermatologists in both countries felt they needed more data to guide care of psoriasis in WoCBA.

A novel therapeutic approach for granuloma annulare: roflumilast 0.3% cream

Jenkins, Hannah BSa,; Silva, Vixey DOb; Yelich, Allyson DOb; Moon, Summer DO, FAADb

This article by Jenkins et al highlights the creativity and resourcefulness of dermatologists who are determined to find safe and effective treatments for their patients with rare or under-recognized dermatologic diseases.  One such disease without any FDA-approved treatments is granuloma annulare.  Jenkins et al describe the successful use of a topical PDE-4 inhibitor, roflumilast 0.3% cream for focal lesions of granuloma annulare in a young female patient with recalcitrant disease.  This may be a great option for your patients too!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Career Corner: Following an Academic Career Path

-
Career Corner: Following an Academic Career Path Special thanks to Dr. Marilyn Wickenheiser for providing insight into following an academic career path. Dr. Wickenheiser serves as the Staff Physician and Associate Program Director at Cleveland Clinic Department of Dermatology. Since medical school, I have focused on medical education and teaching. During my dermatology residency, I served as the chief resident. In this role, I was tasked with developing the curriculum, mentoring fellow residents, and acting as a liaison between residents and faculty. Following graduation, I pursued opportunities to work with residents and medical students in an academic setting. After practicing clinically and serving as teaching faculty for several years, I assumed the role of Associate Program Director for my residency. My experiences with mentors and teachers have guided my approach. Additionally, witnessing the development of medical students and residents has been fulfilling. I...
Read more

Coding Beyond the Clinic: New 2025 Updates in Telehealth E/M for Dermatology Practice

-
Image
  Coding Beyond the Clinic: New 2025 Updates in Telehealth E/M for Dermatology Practice By Susan Massick, MD, FAAD On January 1, 2025, the AMA introduced a new set of CPT codes specific to telehealth Evaluation and Management (E/M) services. While some private insurance payers have adopted the new 98000-series telehealth codes, Medicare has declined to recognize them, instead continuing to require the use of traditional E/M codes (99202–99215) with additional telehealth modifiers.   Of note, key telehealth flexibilities authorized under the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA)—including the waiver of geographic and originating site restrictions that allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive telehealth care from home—are set to expire on September 30, 2025. Until that time, dermatologists may continue providing telehealth services to Medicare patients at home. However, after this date, Medicare is expected to reinstate the originating site requirements, meaning pa...
Read more

An Interview with Lawrence J Green, MD, FAAD

-
Image
An Interview with Lawrence J Green, MD, FAAD Clinical Professor of Dermatology George Washington University School of Medicine Vice President Elect, American Academy of Dermatology Interviewed by Dr. Amaris Geisler and Dr. Brianna Olamiju  1.) How did you become involved in the WDS and what benefits do you think WDS membership provides for residents/young physicians? I started volunteering with the WDS about 10 years ago, when Dr Adelaide Hebert, who was part of my class on the AAD Board of Directors filled me on how important a role the WDS plays in dermatology. Before that, I never really appreciated the value the WDS adds to our field. Many/Most of the recent leaders in dermatology have come through the WDS. I believe this is because the WDS fosters not just collegiality among all dermatologists, but it also uniquely encourages and provides opportunities for young dermatologists (and dermatologists to be) to get involved in our field. The WDS also encourages and pr...
Read more