The Women in Dermatology e-newsletter is supported without restriction by Galderma Canada
Good morning, and welcome to the final issue of 2023 for the Women in Dermatology e-newsletter from Chronicle Companies. We’re happy 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
From everyone at Chronicle, we wish you and your families an enjoyable holiday break, and a fantastic 2024. This newsletter will return on Jan. 11th.
A study published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology (Dec. 2023; 9(4):p e114) aimed to determine if demographic characteristics are associated with a delay in the diagnosis of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). According to the study, there is an average diagnostic delay of seven to 10 years when it comes to HS, and this delay could potentially impact the management of the disease and comorbidities.
The authors conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 431 HS patients treated at a single centre from May 2016 to Dec. 2022. The majority of the patients were female. The study found that age inversely correlated with diagnostic delay, and diagnosis delay was longer in younger patients. The results also showed that women experience longer diagnostic delays.
According to the researchers, women had a diagnostic delay of five years compared to two years for men. Additionally, White patients had longer diagnostic delays than non-White patients, but the difference was not significant. The researchers note that HS is more prevalent in Black patients, which means practitioners may have decreased suspicion of this condition in White populations.
The research did not find a significant correlation between diagnostic delay and median household income. The number of dermatologists in the area of the patient’s residence was not a factor for diagnostic delay either.
Bottom line
Hidradenitis suppurativa diagnostic delays are influenced by demographic factors, with younger age and female sex associated with longer delays. White patients are also more likely to experience longer diagnostic delays. Dermatologist density in the area of residence and median household income do not contribute to diagnostic delays. The findings underscore the importance of considering social and demographic influences in counselling strategies for timely HS diagnosis.
Pregnancy-specific dermatoses in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan
Research published in the Journal of Rehman Medical Institute identified pregnancy-specific dermatoses among women visiting a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. The researchers found that polymorphic eruption of pregnancy and atopic eruption of pregnancy are the more prevalent pregnancy-specific dermatoses among women in Peshawar. For this descriptive study, the authors analyzed the clinical data of 141 pregnant women without comorbidities. The results showed that 12.7% of patients presented specific dermatoses of pregnancy. Additionally, 5.7% presented polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, 4.9% atopic eruption of pregnancy, 2.1% eczema of pregnancy, 2.1% prurigo gestationis and 0.7% pruritic folliculitis.
Young women in sororities more likely to use tanning beds
A study published in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology examined tanning bed usage among Panhellenic sorority members compared to college females in general at public universities in South Dakota. The researchers found that sorority members showed higher rates of tanning bed usage than non-sorority members. Additionally, sorority members expressed that tanning boosted their self-confidence and made them feel like they looked better. The study suggests that social pressures, possibly influenced by beauty standards, can contribute to risky tanning practices. Dermatologists should be aware of these influences and incorporate counselling regarding the associated social pressures in patient interactions, according to the article.
The impact of lichen planus on mental health and quality of life in women
A cross-sectional study in the International Journal of Women’s Health evaluated the impact of lichen planus (LP) on female patients’ mental health and quality of life in Amman, Jordan. The researchers found that women with LP often experience depression, anxiety, and stress, which can significantly reduce their quality of life.
For this study, the authors surveyed 126 women with LP. The results showed that 63.5% of participants experienced a reduced quality of life that was directly linked to depression, anxiety, and stress. Longer disease duration, misdiagnosis before LP diagnosis, and LP symptoms were also linked to reduced quality of life.
A study in the International Journal of Dermatology evaluated histopathologic findings to identify the precise diagnosis of chronic diffuse alopecia in women. The researchers found that histopathologic examination plays a crucial role in accurate diagnosis among women with chronic diffuse alopecia.
For this study, 32 female patients with diffuse and clinically non-cicatricial alopecia underwent transverse section punch biopsies. The histopathologic findings revealed that 40.6% of the participants had androgenetic alopecia, 9.4% had chronic telogen effluvium, and 12.5% experienced overlapping alopecia. Additionally, 32.5% exhibited a lichenoid inflammatory reaction, suggesting a diffuse variant of lichen planopilaris.
Houston-based dermatologist Dr. Andrea Suarez, known as Dr. Dray, discusses reversing grey hair naturally.
A rare case of concurrent vulvar Crohn’s disease and pyoderma gangrenosum
A case study published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology described a 33-year-old woman with Crohn’s disease, post-proctocolectomy, who presented with painful urination, vaginal itching, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. A physical examination indicated other vaginal symptoms such as swelling, ulcerations, and granulation tissue. Vulvar biopsies revealed vulvar Crohn’s disease and concurrent pyoderma gangrenosum. The patient was treated with topical methocarbamol, metronidazole, and ustekinumab but showed only mild improvement. Oral prednisone provided temporary relief, but she ultimately responded positively to infliximab and azathioprine. After six months of treatment, the patient experienced a complete resolution of her symptoms.
“It’s important to think about how you will approach a patient with topical management. A lot of our [acne] patients today don’t want oral treatments. They want the most simplified approach to get results.”
— Dr. Renita Ahluwalia, a dermatologist based in Toronto, speaking at the 9th annual Skin Spectrum Summit in October, 2023.
You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribe to Women in Dermatology or another Chronicle journal, have attended a Skin Spectrum Summit live event or webinar, or have previously requested a subscription to one of our newsletters. If you no longer wish to subscribe to this newsletter, please email the subject line “Unsubscribe Women in Dermatology” to health@chronicle.org.
Women in Dermatology is published by Chronicle Companies: 1460 The Queensway, Suite 212, Etobicoke, Ont. M8Z 1S4
Mitchell Shannon, Publisher; R. Allan Ryan, Editorial Director; Cristela Tello Ruiz, Joyce Pitters-Hinds, Client Services; John Evans, Managing Editor; Jeremy Visser, Editors; Catherine Dusome, Operations Manager, Sydney John-Baptiste, Conference Planner.Content is copyright (c) 2023, Chronicle LifeSci America Corp., except as indicated. Interested in contributing to this newsletter or learning about Chronicle’s services? Please write to us at health@chronicle.org
