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Background/Objectives: Children and adolescents with psoriasis can have severe and long-lasting disease requiring early and effective therapy. The range of associated comorbidities is comparable to adult patients with additional problems deriving from their growth and maturation. Therefore, tailored information and interdisciplinary teamwork is necessary to effectively manage pediatric psoriasis. Methods: We reflected on our experience with therapy management of children and adolescents with psoriasis coming to our university outpatient clinic and summarized the challenges and special features of these patients together with approved medications and recommendations for treatment. We present our algorithm for managing these patients in an interdisciplinary setting. Results: Children can develop psoriasis very early in their life, and they show specific patterns of skin involvement depending on age. Scores such as the cDLQI and the PASI help to quantify the clinical severity and burden of the disease, and the upgraded criteria should reflect that children's needs are different from adults'. The choice of medication is limited to a few, but increasing approvals for children and the close exchange of information and preparations with pediatricians and other specialties before initiating systemic therapies are crucial for children to support compliance. We emphasize the focus on vaccinations and the treatment of chronic infections, e.g., the management of TBI, which is different from adults. Conclusions: With the increased options for the systemic treatment of children with psoriasis, clear and adapted information for the child, guardian and pediatrician is essential to assure a well-managed environment and to prevent the unnecessary termination of effective therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The national guidelines and the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany support preventive vaccinations for patients under immunomodulatory treatments. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of data from patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases from December 2021 to December 2022 with a focus on preventive vaccinations against influenza virus, varicella zoster virus, or SARS-CoV-2. Results: Patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases were referred to our university outpatient's clinic for recommendations of systemic therapy. Vaccinations against influenza virus, varicella zoster virus, or SARS-CoV-2 were documented in 7365 analyzed patient files. A total of 79.7% were completely vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, 49.7% patients were vaccinated against the influenza virus, and only 9.2% were completely vaccinated against varicella zoster virus. Discussion: In our patients who came for counselling before or during systemic treatment, vaccination rates against SARS-CoV-2, varicella zoster virus, or influenza virus were low. Patients age 60 and above had higher rates than the average German population of the same age, but still no satisfying protection. Conclusions: We suggest informing patients about preventive vaccination before and during systemic immunomodulatory treatments and emphasize the need for active communication in this vulnerable patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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To analyze patient perception and impact of the pandemic on well-being and psoriasis management of German patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis under systemic therapies. Methods: The CoronaBest registry captures events of SARS-CoV-2 infections and analyzes the impact of the pandemic on patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis. In June 2020, and independently in February 2022, patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis received a standardized questionnaire for current treatment, protective measures, well-being, and individual risks for COVID-19, among others. Results: Included were 4,194 patients in 2020 (mean age of 47.7 years and 41.8% women) and 4,818 patients in 2022 (mean age of 56.4 and 42.9% women). Treatment discontinuations were observed in 2.7% and 1.7% of patients in 2020 and 2022, respectively. In the vast majority of the cases (> 92%), no additional measures were taken concerning the management of psoriasis treatments in either 2020 or 2022. Those patients with changes reported most frequently: telephone calls instead of face-to-face visits (80.2%, in 2020 vs 40.5% in 2022) or more frequent controls (27.1%, 2020 vs 22.0%, 2022). A majority (66.7%, 2020, and 70.6%, 2022) did not perceive the virus as a considerable threat. The proportion of patients feeling well informed about COVID-19 by physicians increased from 42.6% in 2020 to 51.8% in 2022. About 81.1% of patients in 2020 and 67.5% in 2022 stated that their overall personal condition was not affected due to the pandemic. Physicians attributed no special risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 in most of the patients. Conclusion: A high rate of systemic treatment persistence and awareness of risks and protective measures indicate that health care for psoriasis largely followed current national and international recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interestingly, most patients using systemic treatment stated that they did not interrupt their systemic treatment due to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination ( I n i = 2788 out of 3713, 75.1%), whereas 23.7% ( I n i = 879) reported a temporary interruption, occurring between 14 and 90 days before (63.0%) and after (67.2%) the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Among the vaccinated patients, 88% ( I n i = 4084) received at least three vaccine doses, 10.7% ( I n i = 495) two doses and 0.9% ( I n i = 41) a single dose (Figure 1). Among minor, reported AE was the exacerbation of psoriasis (11 affected patients, 0.4%): six patients after the first dose, nine patients after the second dose and eight patients after the third dose. [Extracted from the article]

Background: For patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and current childbearing/pregnancy, the choice of therapy is limited., Objectives: The present study compared the disease burden and treatment choices in women of childbearing age (WoCBA) with and without a current wish for pregnancy., Methods: Female patients aged 18 to 45 years, with moderate-to-severe psoriasis vulgaris, were consecutively recruited. The patients reported on sociodemographic/reproductive characteristics and quality of life impairments. The physicians assessed disease severity, comorbidities, and current treatment(s). Both patients' and dermatologists' perceptions of shared decision-making for the current systemic treatment were surveyed., Results: Participants were 145 WoCBA with psoriasis: 73 were pregnant or reported a desire to conceive (group CB+) and 72 reported no wish to have (more) children (group CB-). Patients without childbearing wishes were older and often had previous children; no significant differences in clinical features or quality of life impairments were found. A significantly higher proportion of patients in the CB+ group were prescribed tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers, particularly certolizumab pegol. This treatment option was associated with previous children and the desire to conceive, but not with disease variables. Family planning was more often discussed and considered in the clinical decision for the CB+ group, but patient-doctor agreement for shared decision-making was fair-to-moderate., Limitations: The small sample size prevented comparative analyses between patients planning a pregnancy in the short- vs long-term future. In addition, specific variables related to the decision-making process for the current therapy need to be assessed and examined in more detail in further research., Conclusion: For WoCBA with childbearing wishes, tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers were most frequently prescribed, in accordance with current guidelines/recommendations. Decision-making for continuing or changing systemic therapy during pregnancy must take into account medication specificities and the vulnerable stages in pregnancy, as well as the limited amount of pregnancy-compatible drugs., Competing Interests: The authors made the following disclosures: B.S., M.A., and N.G. participated in clinical trials and received honorary fees and financial support for scientific lectures and presentations at national and international congresses from the sponsor of the study as well as other pharmaceutical companies. Other authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Women’s Dermatologic Society.)

Background: Women of childbearing age (WoCBA) with psoriasis face additional burden related to contraindications of systemic treatments during pregnancy/lactation and to the physical and psychosocial impact of psoriasis on their intimate/sexual relationships., Objective: Within a people-centered health care model, this study aimed to identify specific patient needs and their correlates in WoCBA (18-45 years), in comparison to same-age men and women above 45 years., Methods: Baseline data from the German PsoBest registry, including patients with moderate/severe plaque-type psoriasis with the indication for systemic therapy, were retrospectively analyzed. Psoriasis severity was assessed with the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index and patient-reported outcomes included EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and Patient Needs Questionnaire., Results: The participants were 2308 WoCBA, 3634 men between 18 and 45 years of age, and 3401 women older than 45 years. In comparison to both control groups, WoCBA reported more DLQI impairments and higher needs to reduce social impairments (eg, "to be able to lead a normal working life"; "to be less burdened in your partnership"; "to be able to have a normal sex life"). These patient needs were associated with having psoriasis arthritis, previous systemic therapy, worse general health, and more DLQI impairments., Limitations: Retrospective analysis of an established dataset limited the examination of specific developmental, sexual, and reproductive variables., Conclusion: The specific needs of WoCBA with psoriasis were particularly related to the work context/financial stability and intimate relationships, which are crucial aspects in family planning. These results claim for a sex/age-sensitive approach in the psoriasis health care, by considering these needs as qualifiers in the clinical decision for systemic treatment., Competing Interests: The authors made the following disclosures: M.A. and B.S. participated in clinical trials and received honorary fees and financial support for scientific lectures and presentations at national and international congresses from UCB Biopharma SRL, as well as from other pharmaceutical companies. R.S. received speaker and travel honoraria from UCB Biopharma SRL. The other authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Women’s Dermatologic Society.)

Vitamin D plays a role in inflammatory skin conditions and can improve them. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an autoinflammatory chronic skin disease in which most patients exhibit a hypovitaminosis D. However, it is uncertain whether vitamin D supplementation could relieve the severity of HS. A systematic literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was conducted on 4 September 2023. Studies that investigated vitamin D and its potential implications for the severity of HS were included. In contrast, studies that focused on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency were excluded, as well as studies on syndromic HS. Seven studies with a total of 575 patients were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which 3 utilized a cross-sectional design, 2 were pilot studies, 1 a controlled cohort study, and 1 a prospective case-control study. In all included studies, HS patients were vitamin D deficient. There was evidence indicating that serum vitamin D levels negatively correlated with the severity of the disease, and at least suggestive evidence that vitamin D supplementation could have a positive impact on the course of HS. To better understand these correlations, conducting a randomized controlled trial study on vitamin D and its effects on HS severity is imperative.

Background: Limited data exist on the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infections in German patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis (PsA). This study analyses COVID-19 prevalence and severity of symptoms in these patients., Patients and Methods: Participants of the German registries PsoBest and CoronaBest were surveyed in February 2022. Descriptive analyses were conducted., Results: 4,818 patients were included in the analysis, mean age of 56.4 years. Positive SARS-CoV-2 tests were reported by 737 (15.3%) patients. The most frequently reported acute symptoms were fatigue (67.3%), cough (58.8%), and headache (58.3%). Longer-lasting symptoms after COVID-19 were reported by 231 of 737 patients after the acute phase. For most patients (92.9%), systemic treatment for their psoriasis or PsA was not modified during the pandemic. Patients positively tested for SARS-CoV-2 were younger on average and had more often changes in the therapy of psoriasis than negatively tested patients (8.5% vs. 5.4%)., Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with psoriasis or PsA undergoing systemic treatment, SARS-CoV-2 infections were common but less frequent than in the general German population. No risk signals for more severe COVID-19 or increased infection rates were observed in the patients. In addition, systemic treatments remained largely unchanged, so that no risks can be attributed to these therapies., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft.)

Background : Patients with psoriasis under systemic treatments are in focus regarding their susceptibility to respiratory infections. To analyse real-world data for respiratory infections in patients with psoriasis under systemic treatments. Methods : We analysed data of the prospective, non-interventional German Psoriasis Registry PsoBest and compared rates for respiratory infections of 13,823 patients on systemic treatments for psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis in different therapy cohorts before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results : In total, 1415 respiratory infections were observed in 970 patients. Significant differences were observed between biologics and non-biologics, but not within these groups. The highest event rates (events/100 patient years) were identified for TNF-α inhibitors, 8.1, (CI 7.4-8.9), followed by 7.0 for IL-17 inhibitors (6.2-7.9), 5.7 for IL-12/23 and IL-23 inhibitors (5.1-6.5), 4.8 for methotrexate (4.3-5.4), 3.7 for small molecules (3.3-4.2), and 2.7 for retinoids (1.2-5.1). Conclusions : Overall, the susceptibility for respiratory infections in patients under systemic therapy for psoriasis is low compared to published study data and is sufficient as comparative data for COVID-19 studies.

Background: Limited data are available characterizing the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on psoriasis care for patients in Germany., Objective: To analyze patient perception and impact of the pandemic on well-being and psoriasis management of German patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis under systemic therapies., Methods: The CoronaBest registry captures events of SARS-CoV-2 infections and analyzes the impact of the pandemic on patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis. In June 2020, and independently in February 2022, patients with psoriasis or psoriasis arthritis received a standardized questionnaire for current treatment, protective measures, well-being, and individual risks for COVID-19, among others., Results: Included were 4,194 patients in 2020 (mean age of 47.7 years and 41.8% women) and 4,818 patients in 2022 (mean age of 56.4 and 42.9% women). Treatment discontinuations were observed in 2.7% and 1.7% of patients in 2020 and 2022, respectively. In the vast majority of the cases (>92%), no additional measures were taken concerning the management of psoriasis treatments in either 2020 or 2022. Those patients with changes reported most frequently: telephone calls instead of face-to-face visits (80.2%, in 2020 vs 40.5% in 2022) or more frequent controls (27.1%, 2020 vs 22.0%, 2022). A majority (66.7%, 2020, and 70.6%, 2022) did not perceive the virus as a considerable threat. The proportion of patients feeling well informed about COVID-19 by physicians increased from 42.6% in 2020 to 51.8% in 2022. About 81.1% of patients in 2020 and 67.5% in 2022 stated that their overall personal condition was not affected due to the pandemic. Physicians attributed no special risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 in most of the patients., Conclusion: A high rate of systemic treatment persistence and awareness of risks and protective measures indicate that health care for psoriasis largely followed current national and international recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: B. Stephan received payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing, or educational events for AbbVie, UCB. D. Thaçi received grants or contracts from Novartis, Leo-Pharma; Consulting fees from AbbVie, Almirall, Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Novartis, UCB; payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from AbbVie, Amgen, Almirall, Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB; participated on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board at AbbVie, Almirall, Celltrion, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB. U. Mrowietz has been an advisor and/or received speakers’ honoraria and/or received grants and/or participated in clinical trials of the following companies: AbbVie, Aditxt, Almirall, Amgen, Aristea, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Dr. Reddy’s, Eli Lilly, Foamix, Formycon, GlaxoSmithKline, Immunic, Janssen, LEO Pharma, Medac, MetrioPharm, Novartis, Phi-Stone, Pierre Fabre, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB Pharma, UNION Therapeutics. K. Reich received consulting fees from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Forward Pharma, Gilead, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, LEO, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Ocean Pharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB; payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Forward Pharma, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, LEO, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Ocean Pharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB; support for attending meetings and/or travel from AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Forward Pharma, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, LEO, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Ocean Pharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB; participated on a Data Safety Monitoring Board or Advisory Board at AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Forward Pharma, Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Kyowa Kirin, LEO, Lilly, Medac, Novartis, Ocean Pharma, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB and is co-founder of Moonlake Immunotherapeutics. P. Staubach received grants or contracts from Novartis; consulting fees from AbbVie, Almirall, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, UCB, Leo, Amgen, BMS; payment or honoraria for lectures, presentations, speakers bureaus, manuscript writing or educational events from AbbVie, Amgen, Almirall, BMS; leo, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB. R. von Kiedrowski provides with his service company CMS3 GmbH consulting services, registry research, activities as an investigator in interventional and non-interventional studies, other services, and scientific lectures for the following companies: AbbVie, ALK Scherax, Almirall Hermal, Amgen, Beiersdorf Dermo Medical, Biofrontera, Biogen, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, DermaPharm, Foamix, Gilead, Hexal, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Lilly Pharma, Medac, Menlo, MSD, Mylan/Viatris, Novartis, Dr. R. Pfleger, Pfizer, Regeneron, Sanofi, Stallergens, Stiefel GSK, Tigercut and UCB. M. Augustin served as a consultant for or has been a paid speaker for clinical trials sponsored by companies that manufacture drugs used for the treatment of psoriasis, including AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Beiersdorf, Biogen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Centocor, Eli Lilly, Galderma, Hexal, Janssen, LEO, Medac, MSD, Mylan B.V., Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, UCB and Viatris. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work., (© 2024 Valencia López et al.)

Introduction: German prisons face organizational and time-consuming difficulties in access to medical specialties. Since 2019, our institute offers interdisciplinary video consultations with spatially independent dermatological support for German prisons. Methods: Documentation of n  = 200 consultations between February 2020 and July 2021 with retrospective analysis of dermatological conditions and consultation requests. Results: Most cases (98.0%; 196 of 200) were performed during a regular weekly teleclinic and only few cases on urgent demand. The average duration of the skin disease before request for consultation was 10.3 ± 26.9 months (mean ± standard deviation), the majority had first onset of their disease or acute recurrence of previously known skin diseases. With respect to medical complaints, 39.7% of patients reported severe itch and 7.7% indicated severe pain. For most cases (84.0%), topical treatment and for almost one-third (32.5%) we recommended systemic treatment. The predominant number of cases was only presented once (92.0%) and further treatment of the skin disease could be managed by the medical staff inhouse. Only few consultations could not be solved virtually and were referred to local physicians for face-to-face consultations or procedures. Discussion: Teledermatological care for prisoners effectively supports the inhouse medical resources of prisons. Our interdisciplinary approach enables general practitioners and medical staff of the respective prison to manage the case and shortens the time period until therapy starts.

Background and Objective: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affecting the musculoskeletal system, skin and nails. The aim is to characterize sociodemographic and clinical patient profiles documented in dermatologic and rheumatologic care., Patients and Methods: Data of 704 patients with PsA from the dermatological Psoriasis Registry PsoBest (PB) and 1066 patients from the rheumatological disease registry RABBIT-SpA (RS) were analyzed. Comparable anamnestic and clinical variables were identified and descriptively analyzed., Results: The mean age was 51.7 years in PB and 51.9 in RS. Disease duration of psoriasis was longer, mean cutaneous severity was higher in PB. However, more patients in RS vs. PB had tender joints and swollen joints. Mean Dermatology Life Quality Index was higher in PB and mean Health Assessment Questionnaire in RS. Patient reported global disease activity and pain were lower in PB. IL-23 inhibitors were used more frequently in PB, and TNF inhibitors in RS., Conclusions: Clinical specialization was associated with different clinical and treatment patterns of PsA. This may indicate a selection by dominant manifestation of psoriatic disease and potentially by effects of health care access. Psoriatic arthritis should be treated in a multidisciplinary approach considering all facets of this complex disease., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft.)

Background: Regarding skin cancer screening, patients in Germany have the choice between a direct screening by dermatologists or an initial screening by general practitioners followed by dermatological screening if further examination is required. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether screening by general practitioners is associated with risk selection in subsequent dermatological screenings., Patients and Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study based on claims data from a German health insurance company (Barmer GEK). Patient pathways in skin cancer screenings between 2008 and 2016 were analyzed, and differences between the two groups were tested at 95 % confidence intervals., Results: A total of 495,000 initial and 111,000 secondary examinations by dermatologists were analyzed. The proportion of subsequent excisions was lower in initial screenings by dermatologists. To diagnose one person with non-melanoma skin cancer or melanoma, five or 23 to 42 excisions were necessary, depending on the type of excision considered. The number of examinations to identify one patient ranged from 25 to 53 for non-melanoma skin cancer and 42 to 165 for melanoma. For melanoma, the number of excisions and screenings to diagnose skin cancer was lower in secondary examinations., Conclusions: The results indicate a risk selection through initial examinations by general practitioners. However, there are other aspects that should be taken into account when comparing the two pathways., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft.)

With the establishment of modern systemic therapies for psoriasis, comprehensive consultation is required for travelling with immune modulation. Logistic aspects regarding transport and storage, climatic peculiarities of the country of travel and drug dependent risks regarding infections must be considered. Vaccinations and preventive measures are emphasized. Depending on the current national recommendations, special features of vaccinations while under immunosuppression must be taken into account., (© 2020 Deutsche Dermatologische Gesellschaft (DDG). Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)