News

Toronto - The biologic medication alefacept (Amevive, Biogen, Inc.) may be safely administered to psoriasis patients in multiple courses as well as in conjunction with other standard therapies, according to a presentation at the 10th International Psoriasis Symposium here.

Portland, OR - In a small study of bexarotene gel treatment for chronic severe hand dermatitis (HD), the medication achieved both speedy and surprising results. In a 55-patient, phase 1-2 open-label randomized clinical study of the gel, used alone and in combination with one of two steroids, 79 percent of patients on monotherapy achieved clinical improvement of at least 50 percent, and 39 percent reached at least 90 percent clearance.

Dallas - Laser therapy is gaining acceptance - albeit slowly - as an effective clinical tool for quickening burn healing. Results of a recent study indicate that even for diabetic burn patients, laser therapy may be even more effective than first thought.

Dr. Bataille contends that further research may unlock a genetic mystery that could be of great value.

Key congressional committees with jurisdiction over Medicare have been urged by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to reform the way payments for the services of assistants-at-surgery are made in order to prevent potential abuse and overpayment.

National Report - Until fairly recently, doctors' options for treating melanoma were limited and patients' prospects grim. That may be changing, however, as new knowledge about the disease's biology begins to bear fruit.

National report - Dermatologists seem to be greeting calls for a single national registry for clinical drug trials with a collective shrug of their shoulders.

As cosmetic procedures grow in popularity, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons strive to enhance patient comfort as well as ensure that the entire experience is a pleasant one. Building patient confidence and trust are the ultimate goals, and the use of topical anesthetics has helped greatly toward this end.

Oral antibiotics have an integral role in the treatment of moderate to severe acne. Patient compliance with an acne treatment program is crucial, and those affected must have realistic expectations for treatment. Because many strains of P acnes have become resistant to tetracycline, dermatologists are increasingly turning to doxycycline monohydrate, which has retained efficacy against the organism.

The Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 category 1 credits toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.To obtain credit for this activity, you must complete the post-test by recording the best answer to each question in the answer key on the evaluation form. Complete the evaluation form, and mail or fax it to the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation.

Treatment options for plaque psoriasis include topical medications, phototherapy, and systemic medications used individually, in combination, or sequentially. The goal of therapy is to optimize both patient response to treatment and patient quality of life. Because psoriasis is a chronic disorder that can have serious psychosocial consequences, an aggressive approach to plaque clearance, followed by maintenance therapy, is often warranted. This monograph provides an update on the topical treatment approaches that have proven successful in the short-term and long-term management of psoriasis, as well as a look at how topical treatments may fit with new biologic treatment strategies.

Topical treatments for psoriasis have been the mainstay of treatment strategy, but their use has evolved and will be impacted with the emergence of biologic therapies. This program has been designed to provide an overview of the latest available therapies to help physicians understand the important role topical treatment will continue to play in the new age of biologics. This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Health Management Solutions, Inc, the Dannemiller Memorial Educational Foundation, and Warner Chilcott do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

Running out of retirement income is a major concern of many physicians.

Q & A

Determining risk of progression is key in deciding chemopreventive therapy

Dermatologists and other physicians should be aware of several key recent developments at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that could affect their practices.

Do over-the-counter medications and primary care treatment lower dermatologists' acne treatment load?

Cream, gel now available for seborrheic dermatitis

Post-procedure ointment accelerates wound healing

Q & A

The treatment was well tolerated. Most adverse events were mild and consisted primarily of irritation or erythema at the site of application.

Banks will be able to present the digital version of a check for payment anywhere nationwide within seconds. The delay in having a check "clear the bank" will disappear.

Dallas - What is the nurse's role in the administration of ALA-PDT (5-aminolevulinic acid[ALA]-photodynamic therapy [PDT])? At Gold Skin Care Center in Nashville, the better question might be: What is the physician's role in offering this therapy, which involves the use of a laser or light source plus an enhancer, ALA HCl topical solution, 20 percent, (Levulan, DUSA Pharmaceuticals)?

Washington - Dermatologists need to keep cosmeceuticals under the magnifying glass and identify the science supporting their efficacy so that they can better advise patients about over-the-counter skincare, said Patricia Farris, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Washington - The number of potential dermatologic uses for botulinum toxin type A (Botox Cosmetic) continues to increase, but the already sizable list probably only represents the tip of the iceberg, says Seth L. Matarasso, M.D., at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology

Seasickness changes career direction for dermatologist; now devoted to science behind cosmetic dermatology

These exemplary individuals give more than take and go the extra mile.

1-Write Prescription System helps eliminateunnecessary calls from patients, pharmacists

Knowing interests, calculating income ensures fulfilling retirement

Israelis decode gene