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Background: Meta-analyses (MAs) and network meta-analyses (NMAs) are high-quality studies for assessing drug efficacy, but they are time-consuming and may be affected by biases. The capacity of artificial intelligence to aggregate huge amounts of information is emerging as particularly interesting for processing the volume of information needed to generate MAs. In this study, we analyzed whether the chatbot ChatGPT is able to summarize information in a useful fashion for providers and patients in a way that matches up with the results of MAs/NMAs. Methods: We included 16 studies (13 NMAs and 3 MAs) that evaluate biologics (n = 6) and both biologic and systemic treatment (n = 10) for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, published between January 2021 and May 2023. Results: The conclusions of the MAs/NMAs were compared to ChatGPT’s answers to queries about the molecules evaluated in the selected MAs/NMAs. The reproducibility between the results of ChatGPT and the MAs/NMAs was random regarding drug safety. Regarding efficacy, ChatGPT reached the same conclusion as 5 out of the 16 studies (four out of four studies when three molecules were compared), gave acceptable answers in 7 out of 16 studies, and was inconclusive in 4 out of 16 studies. Conclusions: ChatGPT can generate conclusions that are similar to MAs when the efficacy of fewer drugs is compared but is still unable to summarize information in a way that matches up to the results of MAs/NMAs when more than three molecules are compared., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: Scabies is a parasitic skin disease. Its clinical diagnosis may be challenging. Methods: In a prospective observational study, we enrolled all consecutive patients ≥16 years of age with a presumptive diagnosis of scabies and all patients ≥16 years of age with a diffuse itchy dermatosis lasting for more than 1 week. We investigated whether patients with scabies were more prone to scratch themselves during the consultation than patients with other pruritic dermatoses. Results: We observed that a significant proportion of patients (25/62, 40%) with scabies had to scratch while talking or being examined. This clinical sign was less frequently noticed in patients with pruritic dermatoses of other origins (26/196, 13%) (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The observation of a patient scratching himself during the consultation should prompt serious consideration of scabies. This easily observable clinical sign may be especially useful in low-resource settings, where scabies is known to be very prevalent., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: Real-life data on topical treatments in daily practice in patients with moderate acne are poorly characterized. Objective: To investigate the drug survival of topical treatments administered to patients with moderate acne in a daily practice. Methods: Survival analysis was performed on subjects (Belgian university hospital and private practice outpatient dermatology patients) with moderate acne who received topical therapies according to the current published guidelines. Results: A total of 1160 treatment series (1029 patients) were included, including benzoyl peroxide (BPO, n = 93), azelaic acid (n = 246), adapalene (n = 254), a fixed combination of adapalene 0.1% and BPO 2.5% (A/BPO, n = 264), and a fixed combination of clindamycin 1.2% and tretinoin 0.025% gel (Clin-RA, n = 303). The calculated overall median treatment duration of all drugs was 2 months. The probability of treatment discontinuation after only 3 months was 50%. Overall, the drugs were discontinued for the following reasons: controlled acne (9%), side effects (9%), ineffectiveness (52%), combination of side effects and ineffectiveness (3%), and other reasons (1%). Overall, 27% patients were lost to follow-up. Limitations: The post hoc study design and generalizability limit interpretation of the data. Conclusion: Overall, the median treatment duration of topical anti-acne therapies was short (2 months). The main reason for discontinuation was ineffectiveness., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Background: Systemic therapies are routinely used for the management of cutaneous warts. However, there is a lack of evidence-based data on their effectiveness. Objective: To assess the evidence for the efficacy of systemic treatments for cutaneous warts. Methods: We designed a systematic review of the randomized controlled clinical trials (1962 to April 2010) investigating systemic therapies for the treatment of cutaneous warts. We obtained data from MEDLINE, PubMed, Current Contents, reference lists, and specialist textbooks, with no restriction on language. The main outcome measures were the total clearance of warts and the adverse effects. Results: There was substantial heterogeneity in the design of the trials. No consistent evidence was found for the efficacy of cimetidine, levamisole or homeopathy, and only limited evidence was found for the efficacy of zinc. Conclusions: Reviewed trials of systemic treatments for cutaneous warts were highly variable in methods and quality, and there was a paucity of evidence from randomized, placebo-controlled trials on which to base the rational use of such therapies. Limited evidence is emerging that zinc may be effective in selected populations with zinc deficiency. © 2012 Informa Healthcare USA on behalf of Informa UK Ltd., SCOPUS: re.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Case Reports, Letter, SCOPUS: le.j, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Homoeopathic therapies are routinely used for the management of skin diseases. However, there is a lack of evidence-based data on their effectiveness., Journal Article, Review, info:eu-repo/semantics/published