Female dermatologists to meet in Toronto for the leadership conference
Today’s report also covers research into risk factors for lichen sclerosus, emotional support challenges for women with genital warts, and more (1,445 words, 7 minutes)
The Women in Dermatology e-newsletter is supported without restriction by Galderma Canada
Good morning, and welcome to the Women in Dermatology e-newsletter from Chronicle Companies. We’re pleased to have you join us. This biweekly bulletin will update you on new findings regarding dermatologic issues that affect women and the female dermatologists who care for them. We welcome your feedback and opinions, so let us know if you have any comments, observations, or suggestions. You can email them to us at health@chronicle.org
The 4th biennial Women in Dermatology Leadership Conference will be hosted by the Canadian Dermatology Association this weekend in Toronto. The event will occur on April 5th (evening) and April 6th (all day.) It aims to promote female leadership in dermatology and encourage diversity within the specialty. The conference will focus on education, networking, and professional development to empower female dermatologists and build a supportive community.
“The overall theme of the conference is to empower dermatologists that are identifying as women to assess their current practice and implement ideas and changes that are going to allow them to progress and succeed,” said the co-chair of the event, dermatologist Dr. Ashley Sutherland, assistant professor in the Division of Clinical Dermatology and Cutaneous Science at Dalhousie University in Halifax. During an interview with this newsletter, she said delegates can expect an exciting and engaging lineup of topics ranging from social media to the importance of using inclusive language and how artificial intelligence will impact their practices.
Attendees can also anticipate valuable networking opportunities. “I’m excited for attendees to seize the networking opportunities at our upcoming event,” said dermatologist Dr. Regine Mydlarski, associate professor at the Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary and co-chair of the conference. In an interview with this newsletter, she added that the meeting will provide attendees with various educational resources covering academia, private practice, industry, and more.
One anticipated highlight is the panel titled “Relieving Work-Related Stress with Humour,” featuring keynote humorist Judy Croon and moderated by Drs. Sutherland and Mydlarski. “Judy Croon is going to be looking at how we can relieve workplace stress with humour,” Dr. Sutherland explained. “Medicine can be stressful and serious at times, so she will offer a different approach to our communication styles and how we see our practices.” Dr. Mydlarski echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of humour for alleviating stress and fostering a positive work environment. “This promises to be an enlightening and enjoyable session, providing practical strategies to enhance well-being and productivity in the workplace,” she said.
Drs. Mydlarski and Sutherland asserted that attendees can anticipate leaving with valuable insights and practical tools for professional growth. “Attendees will leave with actionable approaches for incorporating levity into professional interactions, enhancing workplace morale and productivity,” said Dr. Mydlarski.
“I want us to share experiences, network and understand how we can work together and collaborate to enhance the dermatological field in Canada,” added Dr. Sutherland.
A study published in the Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease investigated potential risk factors for lichen sclerosus (LS) in female participants. The researchers found a strong association between LS and dermatologic autoimmune conditions such as morphea, alopecia, and vitiligo. Additionally, a diagnosis of Crohn’s or celiac disease also increases the odds of the development of LS.
For this study, the authors used data from nationwide Finnish registries. They identified 10,692 women diagnosed with LS between 1998 and 2016. The results showed that the risk of LS is higher in women diagnosed with some autoimmune diseases, especially those affecting the skin. The results also showed that women with LS were prone to experience urinary incontinence. Finally, LS risk was lower in women with type 1 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Sex stratification of adverse events should be included in studies about skin disease
An opinion piece published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology highlighted the importance of sex stratification in dermatologic studies. According to the author, there are significant sex differences in the side effects of skin disease therapies. They cited the Swiss Psoriasis Registry study, which reported sex differences in adverse events from systemic treatments for psoriasis. This study found higher rates of adverse drug reactions and drug-related discontinuation rates in women compared to men. The author emphasized the importance of analyzing and reporting data separately for women and men in dermatologic research to reduce heterogeneity and improve patient care.
Challenges of emotional support for women with genital warts
A study published in the Journal of the Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research evaluated the emotional support challenges faced by women with genital warts. The researchers found that women with genital warts faced significant challenges in receiving emotional support post-diagnosis. Despite experiencing emotional distress, they hesitated to seek support from family or friends instead of their romantic partners due to worries about being judged or stigmatized.
For this qualitative study, 16 Iranian women with genital warts underwent unstructured interviews. The results showed that women experience significant emotional deterioration and fear of stigma after contracting genital warts.
Impact of acne on women’s social media and dating apps photo activity
Research in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology examined the impact of acne on women’s photo activity on social media and dating apps. The researchers found that acne significantly affected the self-esteem and confidence of women, leading them to avoid taking selfies and resorting to increased use of filters. They also found that acne influenced their perceived attractiveness, particularly on dating apps.
For this study, members of the France 3A (France Acné Adolescents & Adultes) association participated in an online survey conducted from March to April 2023. The questionnaire included questions regarding demographics, acne diagnosis, the severity of acne and acne scars, the impact of acne, overall happiness, and social media and dating app use. The final study included 1,734 female participants. Results showed that in 61.8% of the cases, acne prevented women from taking selfies, and more than half of them often or always used filters. Additionally, 91% acknowledged that acne influenced their profile pictures, 35.8% believed acne affected their matches on dating apps, and almost 70% felt that acne impacted meeting online acquaintances in real life.
This video discusses three skin conditions that can arise in pregnancy: linea nigra, melasma, and polymorphic eruption of pregnancy.
A case of cutaneous lobular carcinoma with pyoderma gangrenosum
A case report published in the American Journal of Case Reports described an 84-year-old woman with a six-year history of ulcerations on her lower extremities and a rash on her chest. Her medical history included rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, acid reflux, venous insufficiency, hypertension, stage III chronic kidney disease, and lobular breast carcinoma in remission. She reported developing ulcers on her bilateral lower extremities one year after the remission of lobular carcinoma. The ulcers were initially attributed to venous insufficiency and progressed rapidly, leading to secondary infections that required intravenous antibiotic treatment. Despite surgical debridement and weekly dressing changes, the lesions worsened, causing increased pain and edema. A biopsy revealed recurrent cutaneous metastatic lobular carcinoma on her chest and pyoderma gangrenosum on her lower extremities. She was treated with standardized wound care and oral prednisone, but the treatment was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the patient died shortly after.
“Find yourself a mentor that shares a similar leadership path to you and allow them to open doors for you, but also step aside when the time is right, so that you can come forward and shine. Take advantage of different conferences, workshops, and courses that will help you hone your own leadership style and make you an effective leader in your field.”
— Dr. Ashley Sutherland, dermatologist, assistant professor of the Division of Clinical Dermatology and Cutaneous Science at Dalhousie University in Halifax, and co-chair of the Canadian Dermatology Association’s 4th biennial Women in Dermatology Leadership Conference.
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