More women dermatologists than ever before, yet they're under-represented in journal authorship: report
Today’s report also covers research into the nuances of adult female acne, the long-term benefits of incobotulinumtoxin-A, and more (1,440 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 dermatologists who treat 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
A recent study published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology (June 2024; 10(2):p e160) analyzed the trends in female authorship within prominent dermatology research over a period of 15 years. The findings underscore a rise in the proportion of female dermatologists in the U.S. to 52.2% from 41%, alongside an upsurge in female-authored publications. However, the study also reveals divergent patterns in authorship roles, with a steady climb in female first authorship contrasted with a significant decline in female senior authorship.
The authors used the Thomson Reuters Web of Science Journal Citation Reports 2021 to identify the 100 most-cited original articles from the top five dermatology journals in five consecutive three-year intervals between 2009 and 2023. Gender was identified using the gender application programming interface, a validated algorithm which uses social media and publicly available government databases to determine gender based on first name.
A total of 14,187 articles were retrieved, with 418 first and 447 senior authors’ genders identified. The researchers found that female authorship percentages were 43% for first authors, 31% for senior authors, and 37% overall. The results also indicated a decreasing trend in female senior authorship in the U.S. and Europe. While senior authorship percentages decreased, first authorship percentages showed an increasing trend, suggesting that female dermatologists were not progressing to senior authorship at the same rate as their male counterparts.
The authors also noted variations in female authorship based on research focus. Diagnostic and medical education-focused studies had higher first authorship percentages compared to studies on pathogenesis or treatment. However, the research focus did not significantly impact female senior authorship percentages, possibly indicating that while women contribute significantly as first authors, their progression to senior authorship roles remains limited.
The Takeaway: While the number of female dermatologists is rising, their representation in senior authorship positions in high-quality research remains disproportionately low. Diagnostic and medical education-focused studies have higher female first authorship percentages than other areas of study. While female-first authorship is on the rise, significant efforts are required to overcome the barriers preventing women from attaining senior authorship positions.
Facial skin aging characteristics of the older perceived age in a 20- to 40-year-old Chinese female population
Research in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology evaluated skin aging in Chinese women between 20 and 40, analyzing facial skin aging characteristics of those with old-perceived age. The researchers found that the women’s perceived age tends to deviate from their chronological age. Women between 20 and 30 years with an older perceived age tended to have a deep, darker, and redder skin tone. In contrast, women between 31 and 40 with an older perceived age tended to have wrinkles and deterioration in the mid-face area. Upper-face issues such as dark skin tone and frown lines also significantly contributed to older perceived ages.
For this study, 400 facial photographs of Chinese women aged between 20 and 40 years were evaluated by 126 other Chinese women. They analyzed skin aging characteristics such as wrinkles, skin tone, pigmentation, and pores. The women were grouped based on the difference between their perceived age and actual age, and the skin aging characteristics among these groups were compared.
A study in the International Journal of Women’s Health investigated the facets of adult female acne, explicitly focusing on incidence rates, treatment modalities, and the impact of menopause. The researchers concluded that treatments for adult female acne must address both acute and maintenance phases. They emphasized the importance of considering skin changes across life stages, especially those influenced by menopause.
For this review, the authors searched Google Scholar and PubMed databases for English articles on acne, using keywords such as adult female acne, post-menopausal acne, and etiopathogenesis. They selected articles discussing adult female acne features up to June 2023, compiling over 60 publications, including prospective, retrospective, and review articles. The results showed that for adult female acne treatment, selecting appropriate therapeutic strategies tailored to each life period and integrating medications and dermo-cosmetics with adapted photoprotection are crucial. This approach targets active lesions, dyschromia, and photo-aging, optimizing treatment outcomes comprehensively.
Assessment of the effectiveness and long-term benefits of incobotulinumtoxinA for treating the upper face in adult women
A study in Dermatology and Therapy assessed the long-term aesthetic benefits of incobotulinumtoxinA in treating the upper face in adult women. The researchers found that incobotulinumtoxinA significantly reduced adult women's lateral canthal lines, forehead lines and glabellar lines. Additionally, patient satisfaction remained high, lasting up to 180 days post-treatment in most participants.
This evaluator-blind clinical trial included 28 adult women between 30 and 60 years with facial movement lines in the periocular, glabella, and forehead regions. The participants underwent incobotulinumtoxinA injections based on personalized treatment plans, with evaluations conducted using standardized photographs and blinded assessments of outcomes such as the Merz Aesthetics Facial Contraction Scale, the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, and patient satisfaction. The results showed significant reductions in facial dynamic lines with sustained aesthetic improvements reported by 35% of participants at day 240.
Patch testing in Chinese patients with facial dermatitis
A study in Dermatitis aimed to identify current factors and allergens associated with facial dermatitis (FD). The researchers found that female sex and exposure to preservatives and other cosmetic-related allergens were significantly associated with a higher risk of FD.
The authors conducted a four-year retrospective analysis for this study between Jan. 2018 and Dec. 2021 in Shanghai. The final study included 2,772 patients suspected of allergic contact dermatitis. Patch testing was performed to identify allergens associated with FD compared to patients without FD. The results showed that 58.6% of the patients included in the study had FD. No significant associations were found between FD and fragrances, metals, or hair product-related allergens.
VIDEO: Breaking Barriers: Gender Equity in Dermatology
Sydney-based dermatologist Dr. Dedee Murrell and Marseille-based dermatologist Dr. Marie Aleth Richard join London-based dermatologist Dr. Sarah Walsh in discussing gender equity in academic dermatology.
A case of lichenoid tissue eruption of the vulva associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor
A case report in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology described a 78-year-old woman who presented with a five-month history of vulvar burning. She had no vaginal discharge or bleeding and had been prescribed pembrolizumab for metastatic endometrial carcinoma ten months earlier. A physical examination revealed hypopigmentation of the clitoral hood, medial vulva, and labial fusion. A punch biopsy from the right vestibule near the introitus below Hart’s line revealed inflammation with abnormal skin cells, small separations beneath the skin, and loss of cell connections near the base. Follow-up tests for blistering diseases, including paraneoplastic pemphigus, were negative. She was then diagnosed with immune checkpoint inhibitor-triggered erosive lichen planus. Treatment with clobetasol propionate ointment reduced symptoms and erythema, but she developed oral lichen planus, which was treated with clobetasol propionate gel. At the six-month follow-up, linear pink patches with distinct stretch marks were observed on her left ankle.
Nominations for 2024 Women in Dermatology Honour Roll closing soon
The 2024 Women in Dermatology Honour Roll nomination deadline is July 26, 2024.
This Honour Roll acknowledges the leadership of a select group of Canadian physicians. It recognizes female dermatologists in Canada who have made significant contributions to the specialty, inspire others and serve as mentors and role models.
The 2024 honourees will be profiled in the upcoming Third Edition of Women in Dermatology, published by The Chronicle of Skin & Allergy.
Nominees should be female dermatologists who, throughout their careers, have made a lasting impact on others in the field of dermatology, served as a source of inspiration to residents, colleagues, and patients, and demonstrated extraordinary dedication, leadership, and commitment to the principles of dermatologic care.
To learn more or to obtain a nomination form, please go to the following link:
“I teach residents who are training to be dermatologists both with didactic talks and bedside teaching in clinic. It keeps me current with the literature and the medicine and provides the ability to “pay it forward.” I also have been involved with the Temerty Faculty of Medicine’s Community of Support, providing information to applicants preparing for entry to medical school. It’s also a way to give encouragement to aspiring physicians. I do this because I’m trying to provide something that wasn’t available when I was an undergrad 20 years ago.”
— Dr. Renée Beach, a Toronto-based dermatologist, in an interview with The University of Toronto.
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