News

The voluntary Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI), which began in 2007, may be a forerunner of a mandatory pay-for-performance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Under the PQRI regulations, a physician reports on specific best medical practices he follows. For example, under the PQRI, in 2007, dermatologists who asked patients with a history of melanoma whether they had seen any changes in moles or lesions, did full body exams on those patients and recommended patients do regular skin exams, and then reported they had followed those procedures in 80 percent of their melanoma patients, would earn 1.5 percent of their total CMS reimbursements as a bonus.

A study tracking the performance of a Mohs surgery fellow in Mohs histopathology section interpretation and mapping found that it took nearly 1,500 Mohs cases which generated 1,350 pathology specimens that were reviewed and immediately graded before the error rate fell to an acceptable level.

At 86, Jerome Z Litt, M.D., is in full-time dermatology practice; is the sole author of the popular Drug Eruption Reference Manual (in its 14th edition, and he has written every one); and has the comedic timing and voice of actor-comedian Mel Brooks.

Over the years, "keeping up with the Joneses" in terms of certification has been an evolutionary process, and it's not likely to become static any time soon.

With the worst January performance in the history of the stock market behind us, what now? Are we headed for (or already in) a major recession, or is this just another of those predictable bumps in the economic road to financial security?

For the first time, a randomized, controlled trial gives a slight edge to surgical excision for basal cell carcinomas when comparing the procedure to curettage plus cryosurgery.

Striae distensae are a very common post-pregnancy complaint in women, yet they frequently occur in other situations as well. Obesity, rapid weight gain or weight loss, puberty or weightlifting can also cause striae. Chronic use of topical steroids, especially in intertriginous or Cushing's syndrome also will lead to stretch marks.

Washington-The Food and Drug Administration's decision to review the safety of botulinum-toxin drugs Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc has generated reactions ranging from surprise to cynicism in the dermatologic community

National report - The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) continues to advise the public to practice proper sun protection to prevent skin cancer, despite recent debate on the health benefits of vitamin D, Medical News Today reports.

National Report - New research suggests a diet rich in omega-3 can ease the severity of eczema symptoms, according to Telegraph.co.uk.

Long Beach, Calif. - Stephen A. Garcia, chief financial officer of Obagi Medical Products Inc., will resign this summer, chron,com reports.

Mumbai, India - Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., has begun U.S. marketing and distribution of five Clobetasol Propionate dermatology products, The Economy Times reports.

Hong Kong - A new study suggests a traditional Chinese herbal medicine may improve the quality of life of those suffering from atopic eczema.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada - Dermatologists at the Dalhousie Medical School have discovered a receptor-blocking medication eases pain a caused by Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome (FCAS).

San Francisco - Suzanne M. Connolly, M.D., the new 2008-2009 president of the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS), took office in February at the recent WDS luncheon during the American Academy of Dermatology meeting.

National Report - Dust mites and roach allergens damage the protective layer of the skin, preventing already damaged skin from healing, according to new research.

Anecdotal evidence supporting the Indian spice turmeric as a healing agent for psoriasis is being questioned by a recent study.

Biotechnology company DermTech announced the addition of Allan C. Halpern, M.D., chief of dermatology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, to its melanoma advisory board, according to The Earth Times.

Chevy Chase, Md. - Researchers here have discovered a protein that appears to halt the growth of melanoma, according to a report from CBC News.

New Haven - Results of a Yale University study suggest that computerized presentations and printed handouts are equally effective in improving teens’ knowledge about acne.

Bordeaux, France - Researchers at Bordeaux Children’s Hospital here say children diagnosed with cutaneous rosacea may also be suffering from ocular rosacea and should be examined by an ophthalmologist, HealthDay News reports.

Boston - A study conducted by researchers at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute suggests that combining periodic infusions of antibodies with a commonly used cancer vaccine is more effective and less harsh for cancer patients, including those with melanoma, than using either treatment alone, HealthDay News reports.

Cambridge, Mass. - Researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a waterproof bandage inspired by the sticky surface found on the feet of the gecko, Reuters reports.

Newcastle upon Tyne, England - Researchers at Newcastle University’s Institute of Human Genetics have identified a gene linked to hair loss that could lead to new pharmaceutical treatments for baldness, Reuters reports.

New York - According to a post-hoc analysis of the European Infliximab for Psoriasis (Remicade) Efficacy and Safety Study, infliximab is highly effective for treatment of psoriatic nail disease, Reuters Health reports.

New York - Researchers at Rockefeller University here say that Th17, a recently discovered immune cell, may play a key role in psoriasis - and that it occurs in psoriasis patients in significantly higher concentrations than it does in healthy people, news source PhysOrg.com reports.

Dr. Schlessinger and Dr. Niamtu answer questions about cosmetic procedures

Laser hair removal for men is an effective and popular treatment for men to rid their bodies of unwanted hair.