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Background: Skin diseases in patients with skin of colour (Fitzpatrick skin types IV to VI) are underrepresented in dermatology training, which may lead to lower quality of care for these patients. To address this underrepresentation in medical education, a newly developed seminar on skin type diversity using an interactive teaching method was implemented in an undergraduate medical curriculum. This study examined the effects of a seminar on the self-assessed competence of medical students in managing skin conditions in patients with skin of colour. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among fourth-year undergraduate medical students at the University of Hamburg (Germany) between October 2023 and February 2024. Students' self-assessed competence was compared before and after the obligatory seminar (pre- and post-design). Results: In total, 158 students participated in the survey. After the seminar, knowledge of the presentation of skin diseases in patients with skin of colour and the associated psychological burden, differences in the incidence of skin diseases in different skin types, and the ability to diagnose skin diseases in darker skin types increased. Most participants stated that they wanted to attend more courses on this topic. Discussion: Appropriate courses for medical students can improve their competence in managing different skin diseases in patients with skin of colour. In the future, more attention should be paid to teaching the diversity of skin types in dermatology education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mogamulizumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CC chemokine receptor 4, is approved as a second‐line treatment of mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. One of the most common side effects is mogamulizumab‐associated rash (MAR), which can present in a variety of clinical and histological types. Clinically, it can be difficult to differentiate between MAR and progression of the underlying disease, so histological examination is crucial for clinicopathological correlation. Current data analyses suggest that MAR is more common in patients with Sézary syndrome and is associated with a significantly better response to treatment, making the distinction from disease progression particularly important. The management of MAR depends on its severity, and therapy may need to be paused. This article presents three cases from our clinic and reviews the current literature on MAR. It emphasizes the importance of understanding MAR in the management of patients with cutaneous lymphomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The treatment of melanoma has been revolutionized by the use of immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI), but many patients do not benefit. Furthermore, immune‐related adverse events may occur during therapy. A predictive biomarker is needed to reliably identify patients benefitting. In lung, renal cell and bladder cancer early C‐reactive protein (CRP) kinetics were shown to be a predictive biomarker for ICI. Objective: Here, we investigate early CRP kinetics as predictive biomarker for ICI in melanoma patients. Methods: Two independent prospectively collected cohorts were analysed: Cohort 1 (n = 87) with advanced and Cohort 2 (n = 99) with completely resected melanoma. Patients were stratified by in the dynamics of CRP after ICI initiation: A doubling of baseline CRP within 30 days followed by at least a 30% drop within 3 months was classified as a CRP flare. If no doubling of CRP was reported, but a 30% drop within 3 months, patients were classified as CRP responders and all others as CRP non‐responders. Analysed factors included clinical characteristics like S100B and LDH. Median follow‐up was 1.5 and 1.7 years for Cohorts 1 and 2. Results: In Cohort 1 CRP flare (n = 12), CRP responders (n = 43) and CRP non‐responders (n = 32) with a progression‐free survival (PFS) of 0.7, 0.6 and 0.2 years (p = 0.017) and an overall survival (OS) of 2.2, 1.5 and 1.0 years (p = 0.014), respectively. Multivariable Cox analysis showed an independent risk reduction of progression for CRP responders by 62% compared to CRP non‐responders (p = 0.001). In Cohort 2 CRP flare (n = 13), CRP responders (n = 70) and CRP non‐responders (n = 16) the log‐rank analysis showed a significant difference between OS and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) curves (p = 0.046 and p = 0.049). Conclusion: Early CRP kinetics could indicate a response to ICI with improved OS and RFS/PFS. CRP flare and CRP response indicating significantly improved outcomes compared to CRP non‐responders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulsed dye lasers (PDL) are currently the first‐line treatment of port‐wine birthmarks (PWB). Due to high maintenance costs and instable technology, alternative methods are needed. Objectives: To compare clinical outcomes of a variable‐sequenced, long‐pulsed 532‐nm potassium titanyl‐phosphate (KTP) laser and PDL on treating PWB. Methods: A prospective, randomized, split‐side study. Patients were treated with a KTP laser and PDL with 1 to 5 sessions at intervals of 6–8 weeks. A follow‐up visit was scheduled 6 weeks post‐treatment. Efficacy was evaluated through colorimetric analysis, area reduction measurements and clinical evaluations by two blinded investigators based on photo documentation. Subjects provided rating of pain intensity during treatment, post‐treatment reactions and satisfaction. Safety was measured by adverse events. Maintenance issues of the laser systems were documented. Results: A total of 35 patients (mean age 42.1 years) were enrolled. 63% were female. Patients received 2.4 (SD 1.4; 1–5) treatment sessions. Colorimetric analysis indicated a comparable clearance effect in PWB of both KTP laser and PDL. Independent investigators rated clinical appearance to be significantly improved compared to baseline. No significant difference was observed between both laser systems. Regarding post‐treatment reactions, the KTP laser caused less swelling, purpura and crusts. 96% would recommend both treatment modalities. Patients were satisfied with both laser systems. During the study, PDL systems malfunctioned for 6.6 months in total. For the KTP laser, we did not observe any system failures. Conclusion: Our data indicate that the KTP laser of the latest generation with large‐spot sizes, subpulse technology and cryogen cooling has a comparable efficacy to the PDL in treating PWB. In addition, KTP laser is associated with greater tolerability, fewer technical failures and lower repair costs. Further prospective studies are required to determine the true effectiveness of the KTP laser in PWB treatment. This study was preregistered in Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05771298). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: Background: One of the areas of care in dermatosurgery is the surgical treatment of diseases of the nail organ. Side effects and complications after nail surgery were investigated by telephone follow‐up (TFU), and its suitability for postoperative monitoring and consultation was assessed. Patients and Methods: All patients who underwent nail surgery at the Department of Dermatology at the Ludwigshafen City Hospital from October 2019 to December 2021 in outpatient setting were contacted by telephone on the second to third postoperative day and questioned in a standardized manner about postoperative complaints and counselled if necessary. Results: A total of 100 cases were followed up. The most common procedures performed were phenol matricectomy (41%), nail avulsion (16%), and nail matrix biopsies (9%). 50% and 21% of patients reported pain on the day of the procedure and the day after surgery, respectively. After nail avulsion, pain was statistically significantly more frequently reported on the day following the procedure and pain medication was statistically significantly more frequently required (p = 0.002). Serious adverse events did not occur after nail surgery. 10% of the respondents raised specific questions and needed counseling by TFU. Conclusions: All nail surgeries were well tolerated in the outpatient setting. Pain was the most common side effect, although only half of all patients reported pain on the day of surgery and only 21% on the day after the procedure. The TFU proved to be an effective and practical as well as easy to establish method for postoperative follow‐up and consultation after outpatient nail surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]