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BackgroundAlthough the use of 2-octylcyanoacrylate (OCA) in cutaneous surgery offers increased efficiency, there is scant data comparing scar outcomes achieved with OCA versus 5-0 fast-absorbing gut suture (FG).ObjectiveTo compare scar cosmesis achieved with OCA versus FG for surgical wound closure.Materials and methodsA total of 44 patients with postoperative defects of at least 3 cm were included. Half of each wound was randomized to receive closure with either OCA or FG. At 3 months, patients and 2 blinded observers evaluated each scar using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).ResultsThe total observer POSAS score (mean [SD]) for the side repaired with OCA (12.3 [4.72]) and the side that received FG (11.6 [4.36]) did not differ significantly (p = .40). There was no significant difference in the total patient POSAS scores between closure with OCA (14.9 [8.67]) and FG (14.6 [8.90]) (p = .70). Based on observer POSAS scores, scar pigmentation was significantly worse on the scar half repaired with OCA (1.98 [0.91]) compared with FG (1.79 [0.80]) (p = .05).ConclusionWith the exception of inferior scar pigmentation with OCA, there was no statistically significant difference in wound cosmesis after linear wound closure with OCA versus FG.

We report a patient with new-onset ulcerated granuloma annulare with concomitant involvement of B-cell leukemia. A granuloma annulare-like eruption with concomitant B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia involvement in the skin is extremely rare, as only three cases have been previously reported in the literature to our knowledge. Given the rarity of ulceration in conventional granuloma annulare, it is possible this finding may serve as a diagnostic clue for underlying malignancy.

Background: Psoriasis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients may be severe. Physicians may be tentative to use biologics in HIV-infected patients.Objective: We present an HIV-positive patient with psoriasis who was treated with guselkumab. This paper aims to investigate the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of biologic therapies for HIV-positive patients with psoriasis.Methods: A systematic PubMed review of articles dating between 2000-2018 containing key words psoriasis AND HIV, and psoriatic AND HIV combined with several approved biologic therapies. The review generated 15 articles containing 27 cases of HIV-positive patients treated with etanercept, infliximab, adalimumab, or ustekinumab for their psoriasis.Results: The majority of cases reported excellent clinical responses, limited adverse events, and well tolerated treatment. CD4 count and viral loads were stable throughout treatment. Similar safety and efficacy were seen in the illustrative case report. Available literature is limited to case reports or case series and could be subject to publication bias of successful cases. Many reports lack quantifiable data and report results based on clinical judgement. No randomized, controlled trials evaluate biologic treatment for psoriasis in HIV-positive patients.Conclusions: The findings suggest that biologic therapy is an efficacious, safe, and tolerable treatment for most patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis in HIV-positive patients.

BackgroundRecent studies into the pathogenesis of psoriasis have identified the importance of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in disease activity and have thus provided a new target for biologic therapy. Ixekizumab, the most recent US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-IL-17 biologic agent, appears to be a promising medication for patients suffering from moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.MethodsWe reviewed the results of phase III trials for ixekizumab in order to assess the efficacy, safety, and impact on quality of life of this agent in the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Additionally, we compared these results to phase II and phase III trials for other biologic psoriasis medications including the anti-IL-23 agents tildrakizumab and guselkumab, the combined anti-IL-12 and anti-IL-23 agent ustekinumab, and the anti-IL-17 agents brodalumab and secukinumab.ResultsPooled results from individual studies demonstrate that among the most efficacious dosing regimens of these anti-interleukin therapies, ixekizumab achieves higher Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 rates and similar or higher static Physician Global Assessment 0-1 rates than the other anti-IL-17 and anti-IL-23 agents. The safety profile of ixekizumab is similar to these agents, with nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory infection, headache, arthralgia, and injection-site erythema as the most commonly reported adverse events.ConclusionIxekizumab is a highly efficacious, newly FDA-approved treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis that demonstrates a robust clinical response, significant improvement in patient quality of life, and a favorable safety profile.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatorydermatosis characterized by pruritus, erythema,induration, and lichenification. Current treatmentoptions for generalized atopic dermatitis arelimited and have potentially serious adverse effects,especially in patients with severe, chronic AD whofrequently require systemic anti-inflammatory agents.Apremilast, an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, wasFDA approved in September 2014 for the treatmentof moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. However, itsupstream anti-inflammatory effects, ease of use asan oral agent, and mild side-effect profile make it aninteresting treatment option for AD as well. Herein,we present a patient with a life-long history of ADrecalcitrant to topical steroids and cyclosporine whoattained subjective and objective improvement inpruritus and erythema after 10-week treatment withapremilast.

IntroductionInterleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors are the most recent class of monoclonal antibodies approved by the FDA for psoriasis treatment. Preclinical and phase II studies of brodalumab, a high-affinity IL-17 receptor monoclonal antibody, have been encouraging.MethodsWe conducted a literature search using the PubMed database in order to assess the efficacy and safety profile of brodalumab. The search included the following key words: "psoriasis" and "IL-17" or "brodalumab." We also reviewed citations within articles to identify relevant sources.ResultsAt week 12, the proportion of patients attaining a 75% improvement from the baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) was similar among the three phase III trials (AMAGINE-1, 83%; AMAGINE-2, 86%; AMAGINE-3, 85%). Brodalumab remained efficacious through 52 weeks of treatment. It maintained a satisfactory safety profile; the most frequently reported adverse events consisted of nasopharyngitis, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, and arthralgia.ConclusionUse of brodalumab revealed prompt clinical improvement and a favorable short-term safety profile in phase III trials, although further extension studies are needed to assess long-term safety. Based on the results, brodalumab appears to be a potent therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.

IntroductionInterleukin-17 inhibitors are the newest class of monoclonal antibodies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of psoriasis. Preclinical and Phase II studies of ixekizumab, a high-affinity anti-IL-17A monoclonal antibody, have proved promising.MethodsWe conducted an extensive literature search using the PubMed database to assess the efficacy and safety profile of ixekizumab. The search included the following key words: "psoriasis" and "IL-17" or "ixekizumab." We also reviewed citations within articles to identify relevant sources.ResultsBy week 12, the percentage of patients achieving a 75% improvement from baseline Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75) was comparable among the three Phase III trials (UNCOVER-1, 89%; UNCOVER-2, 90%; UNCOVER-3, 87%). Ixekizumab continued to be efficacious through 60 weeks of treatment. The safety profile of ixekizumab was favorable; the most frequently reported adverse events consisted of nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, injection-site reaction, and headache.ConclusionOverall, ixekizumab demonstrated rapid clinical improvement and favorable short-term safety profile in Phase III trials. The results support ixekizumab as an effective therapeutic option for patients with moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis.

IntroductionChronic skin conditions have been well reported to affect a patient's quality of life on multiple dimensions, including the psychosocial domain. Psychosocial is defined as the interrelation of social factors with an individual's thoughts and behavior. The assessment of the psychosocial impact of skin disease on a patient can help direct the dermatologists' treatment goals. To evaluate the psychosocial impact of skin disease, we conducted a review of the literature on three skin conditions with onsets at various stages of life: acne, vitiligo, and psoriasis.MethodsA PubMed search was conducted in March 2015 using the terms "psychosocial" AND "acne", "psychosocial" AND "vitiligo", and "psychosocial" AND "psoriasis". The results were limited to articles published in English in the past 5 years studying patients of all ages. Results and their references were evaluated for relevance according to their discussion of psychosocial qualities in their patients and the validity of psychosocial assessments. The search for acne yielded 51 results, and eleven were found to be relevant; vitiligo yielded 30 results with ten found to be relevant; and psoriasis yielded 70 results with seven found to be relevant.ResultsAccording to the articles evaluated, 19.2% of adolescent patients with acne were affected in their personal and social lives. Social phobia was present in 45% of patients with acne compared to 18% of control subjects. Race and sex played a role in self-consciousness and social perceptions of the disease. Vitiligo negatively affected marriage potential and caused relationship problems in >50% of patients. Psoriasis negatively affected multiple domains of life, including work, relationships, and social activities. Anxiety and depression affected not only psoriasis patients but also their cohabitants; up to 88% of cohabitants had an impaired quality of life.ConclusionThough all three skin conditions resulted in an increase in anxiety and depression among their patient populations, the psychosocial focus varied slightly for each disease. Overall, acne, vitiligo, and psoriasis can have negative psychosocial impact in different stages of life development.

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of biologic and phototherapy in treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis is well known. However, some patients may not respond well to biologic agents or phototherapy on their own and may require combination therapy. Skillfully combining a biologic agent and phototherapy may provide an additive improvement without much increase in risks.ObjectiveTo summarize the current state of evidence for the efficacy and safety of combining biologics with phototherapy in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.MethodsWe conducted an extensive search on Pubmed database for English language literature that evaluated the use of a combination of biologic and phototherapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis through January 2016. The search included the following key-words: psoriasis, etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab, ustekinumab, biologics, phototherapy, and combination therapy.ResultsThe primary literature included randomized controlled trials, a head-to-head study, open-label controlled and uncontrolled trials, case series, and case reports. Etanercept was used in over half of the reported cases, but other biologic agents used included ustekinumab, adalimumab, and infliximab. The vast majority of phototherapy was narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB) radiation. Most cases reported enhanced improvement with combination therapy. Serious adverse events throughout the study duration were reported in

Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory condition that affects 2-3% of the population. Apremilast was FDA-approved in March 2014 for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and in September 2014 for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Apremilast appears to have lower efficacy than some biologic agents such as adalimumab and ustekinumab, which achieve a PASI-75 in approximately 70% of patients after 12-16 weeks of therapy. However, its ease of administration as an oral agent coupled with a mild side effect profile make it an attractive option for psoriasis treatment. Herein, we present a patient with a 17-year history of plaque type psoriasis recalcitrant to topical, oral, and biologic mediations who attained near-complete remission after therapy with a combination of adalimumab and apremilast.

Over the previous decade, several innovative teaching methods have been introduced to overcome the decreasing allotment of time dedicated to dermatology in U.S. medical school curricula. We report our experience of increasing medical student exposure to clinical dermatology thorough involvement in an extracurricular, volunteer-driven dermatology clinic. The clinic was well received by students and faculty. Our experience demonstrates that volunteer-driven dermatology clinics may be an effective method of teaching and engendering a culture of community outreach among medical students and faculty.