Study finds women are underrepresented on dermatology journal editorial boards
Today’s report also covers research into growing up with juvenile vulvar lichen sclerosus, allergens in chemical hair relaxers, and more (1,379 words, 6.5 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 study in JMIR Dermatology (May 2024; 7:e40819) found women remain underrepresented in dermatology journal leadership roles despite constituting more than half of board-certified dermatologists in the United States.
The researchers identified the 20 most impactful dermatology journals based on the 2020 h-index from SCImago Journal Rank. They then analyzed the gender composition of editorial boards, estimating gender based on author first names using Gender API, a software that predicts gender based on names. These estimations were further validated through web-based searches.
The results showed that, on average, 37% of editorial board members across journals were women, with some variations in representation. The Journal of Dermatological Science had the lowest number of women editors, with only 15%, followed closely by the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, with 22%. In contrast, Contact Dermatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Sexually Transmitted Diseases had higher levels of representation, with 58%, 54%, and 53% women editors, respectively.
Additionally, the editorial board of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Dermatology had a significant presence of women editors, comprising 56% of the board after excluding International Advisory Committee members. However, among the 20 journals analyzed, only five (25%) had women as editors-in-chief.
The authors note that the findings underscore ongoing gender disparities in dermatology editorial boards. They write that the study’s limitations include reliance on high-throughput software examining first names only and estimating binary gender, which may lead to misclassification and lack of acknowledgment of individuals identifying as nonbinary or transgender. According to the researchers, efforts to bridge the gender gap should include comprehensive analyses of self-reported sex and gender identity to ensure inclusivity.
Takeaway: Gender disparities persist in dermatology journal editorial boards, with women comprising just 37% of editorial board members on average across top journals. While some journals exhibit higher levels of representation, efforts to bridge this gap must address limitations in gender estimation methods and strive for inclusivity in future analyses.
Common contact allergens implicated in frontal fibrosing alopecia found in over-the-counter hair growth serums and solutions
A study published in the InternationalJournal of Women’s Dermatology investigated the prevalence of contact allergens in over-the-counter hair growth products commonly searched for online. The researchers found that many over-the-counter hair products contain known allergens, such as phenoxyethanol, limonene, and linalool, which may worsen alopecia symptoms.
For this study, the authors conducted a Google Boolean Search to identify common over-the-counter hair growth products that were searched for online. They reviewed the top 10 non-sponsored results and analyzed 58 products, focusing on serums or solutions for scalp use.
Research in the British Journal of Dermatology explored the experiences of adult women with a history of juvenile vulvar lichen sclerosus (JVLS) to understand the impact of the disease on their personal lives and care needs. The researchers found that women with a history of JVLS experienced diverse emotional and physical impacts, ranging from shame and denial to complete acceptance, with varying degrees of daily functioning restrictions. They also identified gaps in care and guidance, such as knowledge deficiencies among healthcare professionals, lack of continuity, and inadequate information provision.
For this qualitative study, the authors conducted 27 in-depth interviews with women diagnosed with JVLS, asking them about emotional and physical impacts, challenges in navigating care and guidance, and the need for patient-tailored care.
Compliance with the pregnancy prevention program among women initiating isotretinoin treatment between 2014 and 2021
A study in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology examined if women who were prescribed isotretinoin from 2014 to 2021 complied with the French pregnancy prevention program (PPP). The researchers found that compliance with the French PPP program varied, with 61% of women complying at treatment initiation, 72% at treatment renewal, and 25% at the end of treatment.
For this study, the authors conducted a retrospective cohort study using the French Health Data System to identify women between 11 and 50 years of age initiating isotretinoin between Jan. 2014 and Dec. 2021. Factors associated with PPP noncompliance included age, socioeconomic status, prescriber specialty, and timing of initiation.
Allergen content of popular chemical hair relaxers
A study published in Contact Dermatitis investigated the prevalence of allergens in chemical hair relaxers often used by curly-haired women. The researchers found the most common contact allergens in chemical hair relaxers were propylene glycol, cetyl stearyl alcohol, fragrance, D/L-a-tocopherol, tea tree oil, and cocamidopropyl betaine.
The authors analyzed 41 products from major retailers, identifying allergens through ingredient lists and comparing them to the 2020 American Contact Dermatitis Group Core allergen series. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding allergen exposure in textured hair products to manage contact dermatitis effectively.
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Exploring the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism on hyperpigmentation
A case report in Cureus described a 42-year-old woman who presented with generalized acute hyperpigmentation scattered on her neck, armpits, arms, and upper chest. She was initially treated with topical hydroquinone and methimazole, but her hyperpigmentation persisted and spread. Upon further evaluation, bloodwork revealed subclinical hypothyroidism with a moderately elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone level, and her thyroid function tests (TFTs) were abnormal. The patient’s primary care physician began treating her with levothyroxine, resulting in significant improvement. After 74 weeks, the patient had experienced an 80% reduction in hyperpigmentation, and her TFTs were almost back to normal.
“I think that there needs to be more studies into the granular issues that cause discrepancies in the workplace. We can start by having more conversations with women about their career goals, work-life balance, available resources, and perceived barriers to professional growth. Female dermatologists and doctors in general are more likely to have to spend a significant amount of their time at home taking care of their kids compared with their male counterparts. Women are much less likely to have a stay-at-home partner compared with men in medicine. We need to identify the gender roles that persist and pervade through dermatology and medicine in general.”
— Dr. Catherine Baker, a New Haven-based dermatologist, in an interview with The Dermatologist.
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