Reviewing Common and Prevalent Dermatoses in AAPI Patients

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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Throughout the month, we spotlighted a number of studies and dermatologic concerns faced by members of this patient population, including the influence of fairness cream advertisements, apocrine adenocarcinoma and secondary primary malignancies, melanoma treatment delay, and strides to measure atopic dermatitis.

Below, we recap our headlines from the month of May that spotlight these concerns.

Do you specialize in or have a particular interest in research or caring for dermatologic concerns among AAPI patient populations? If you would like to share your research or experiences with us, email our team at DTEditor@mmhgroup.com.

Study Is First to Analyze Content and Influence of Fairness Cream Commercials From South Asia

Topical skin lightening, or "fairness" creams, have gained significantly popularity in sub-continental Asian populations, where fair skin is deemed highly sought after. In this region, these beliefs have become engrained in the culture, with previous historical ties to social status and wealth.¹

Despite their popularity and market demand, skin lightening agents may be associated with negative effects on the skin. Furthermore, they have been associated with a predisposition to infections and endocrinologic concerns.²

In the first known study to analyze the content and influence of fairness cream commercials from South Asia, researchers Razi et al found that the vast majority of fairness commercials targeted female consumers and capitalized on the use of celebrities in their advertisement. However, less than half of commercials employed transparency by mentioning specific ingredients in the products.³

Read more here.

Black and Asian Patients With Apocrine Adenocarcinoma Demonstrate Significant Risk of Developing Secondary Primary Malignancies

Apocrine adenocarcinomas (AA) are rare adnexal tumors of the skin commonly located in regions with high sweat gland density. They can often be aggressive in nature, with metastatic dissemination, often with lymph node invasion, occurring in approximately 30% of patients.⁴

A study, titled, "Assessment of Secondary Primary Malignancies in Apocrine Adenocarcinoma by Racial Group," was included in a poster, authored by Kripa Ahuja of Eastern Virginia Medical School, at the 2024 Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium ahead of the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, in March.⁵

The study and poster explored the risk of secondary primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients of different racial demographics, seeking to compare risk and rates of SPMs in patients with skin of color versus White patients. According to Ahuja, data assessing the risk of SPMs in patients with AA and skin of color are limited, as reported cases of AA are most often attributed to White patients.

Read more here.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Patients Face Increased Odds of Melanoma Treatment Delay

A 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology⁶ found that while Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) patients have a significantly lower risk of melanoma than White patients, they face poorer outcomes and an overall lowered risk of survival.

In 2023, researchers Fane et al authors a study titled, "Asian American and Pacific Islander patients with melanoma have increased odds of treatment delays: A cross-sectional study." The study, published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, found that AAPI patients also face increased odds of treatment delay when it comes to melanoma.⁷

Read more here.

RECAP Measurement Validated for Atopic Dermatitis

A recent study in Singapore found that the RECAP tool effectively measures disease control in atopic eczema. It demonstrated strong correlations with the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure and the Dermatology Life Quality Index, indicating a significant link between symptoms and quality of life. However, the correlation with SCORing Atopic Dermatitis was moderate.

Read more here.

References

1. Jagadeesan S, Kaliyadan F, Ashique KT, Karunakaran A. Bleaching and skin-lightening practice among female students in South India: A cross-sectional survey. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(4):1176-1181. doi:10.1111/jocd.13689
2. Gopinath H, Manjula B, Karthikeyan K. Fragrance, sunscreens, botanicals, and potential allergens in bestseller 'fairness' creams in the Indian market: A consumer exposure study. Indian J Dermatol. 2021;66(3):279-283. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_500_19
3. Razi S, Tan IJ, Pathak GN, Rao B. A cross-sectional analysis of fairness cream commercials from South Asia. Poster presented at: 20th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium; March 7, 2024; San Diego, California.
4. Collette F, Hamoir M, Van Eeckhout P, et al. Metastatic cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma successfully treated with systemic anti-androgen therapy-A case report. Clin Case Rep. 2020;8(12):3472-3478. October 30, 2020. doi:10.1002/ccr3.3434
5. Ahuja K. Assessment of secondary primary malignancies in apocrine adenocarcinoma by racial group. Poster presented at: 20th Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium; March 7, 2024; San Diego, California.
6. Zheng YJ, Ho C, Lazar A, Ortiz-Urda S. Poor melanoma outcomes and survival in Asian American and Pacific Islander patients. J Amer Acad Dermatol. August 25, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2020.08.086
7. Fane LS, Wei AH, Tripathi R, Bordeaux JS. Asian American and Pacific Islander patients with melanoma have increased odds of treatment delays: A cross-sectional study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023;89(3):529-536. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2023.05.028