Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for December 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Machine Learning System Makes More Alerts for Med Errors
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A machine learning system can generate clinically valid alerts for medication errors that might be missed with existing clinical decision support (CDS) systems, according to a study published in the January issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety.
Study Shows Link Between Atopic Dermatitis and Vitiligo
TUESDAY, Dec. 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with vitiligo, according to a review and meta-analysis published online Dec. 24 in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
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Inflammation Linked to Thyroid Dysfunction in Psoriasis Patients
MONDAY, Dec. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — While the rate of thyroid dysfunction among patients with psoriasis generally is not higher than expected, psoriasis in patients with thyroid dysfunction is more clinically severe and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are higher, according to a study published online Dec. 5 in the Journal of Dermatology.
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Case Study: Methylmercury Toxicity Found From Skin-Lightening Cream
FRIDAY, Dec. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a Notes from the Field report, published in the Dec. 20 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, doctors present the case of a California woman with significant central nervous system damage after using a skin-lightening cream from Mexico that contained toxic mercury.
Many Hospitals Fail to Provide Instructions for Patient Portals
THURSDAY, Dec. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many hospital patient portals fail to educate patients fully and set expectations for secure messaging, according to a study recently published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Patient Share of Out-of-Network Costs Rising
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network (OON) care grew rapidly for privately insured Americans from 2012 to 2017, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Managed Care.
ASTRO Issues Recs for Radiation Tx of Basal, Squamous Cell Carcinoma
TUESDAY, Dec. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In an executive summary of an American Society for Radiation Oncology clinical practice guideline, published online Dec. 9 in Practical Radiation Oncology, recommendations are presented for the use of radiation therapy (RT) for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Enrollment in Affordable Care Act Holds Steady for Third Straight Year
MONDAY, Dec. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Enrollment in Affordable Care Act coverage for next year has surpassed 8 million, a sign that many Americans still turn to the government health insurance program to help pay for their medical care.
Private Care Program for U.S. Vets Gets $8.9 Billion in Budget Deal
THURSDAY, Dec. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A controversial program meant to get more U.S. veterans to use private health care received $8.9 billion as part of a government spending bill approved by the House.
FDA to Allow States to Import Prescription Drugs From Other Countries
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Federal health officials have unveiled plans to allow prescription drug imports from Canada and other foreign nations.
Hospital-Level Home Acute Care Can Cut Costs, Health Care Use
TUESDAY, Dec. 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For acutely ill adults, hospital-level care at home is associated with reduced costs, health care use, and readmissions compared with usual hospital care, according to a study published online Dec. 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Outcomes Worse for Rural Residents With Chronic Conditions
MONDAY, Dec. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Rural Medicare beneficiaries with complex chronic conditions have higher preventable hospitalization and mortality rates than their urban peers, which is partially explained by reduced access to specialists, according to a report published in the December issue of Health Affairs, a theme issue on rural health.
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Hahn Confirmed as New FDA Chief
FRIDAY, Dec. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Stephen Hahn, M.D., was confirmed as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a 72-18 Senate vote on Thursday.
Antibiotics Often Prescribed Without Documented Indication
THURSDAY, Dec. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of antibiotics are prescribed without a documented indication, according to a study published online Dec. 11 in The BMJ.
Insurance Disparities ID’d in Diagnosis of Late-Stage Melanoma
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For nonelderly adults in the United States, having Medicaid or no health insurance is associated with increased odds of being diagnosed with late-stage melanoma compared with having private insurance, according to a study recently published online in Cancer.
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Type 2 Diabetes More Common in Patients With Psoriasis
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Rates of type 2 diabetes may be higher among patients with psoriasis, according to a study published online Dec. 3 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.
U.S. Primary Care Doctors Face Challenges in Coordinating Care
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians from the United States and other high-income countries report difficulties with care coordination, with a substantial proportion of U.S. physicians not receiving timely notification or the information needed from specialists or other sites of care, according to a study published online Dec. 10 in Health Affairs.
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U.S. Health Care Spending Up 4.6 Percent in 2018
TUESDAY, Dec. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, U.S. health care spending increased 4.6 percent, a faster rate than that seen in 2017, according to a report published online Dec. 5 in Health Affairs.
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2016 to 2019 Saw Increase in Medical Students With Disabilities
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2016 to 2019, there was an increase in the proportion of medical students reporting disabilities, according to a research letter published in the Nov. 26 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Half of U.S. Physicians Recommend Complementary Health Approaches
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than half of office-based physicians recommend complementary health approaches (CHAs) to their patients, according to a study published online Dec. 2 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
2012 to 2014 Saw 41,185 U.S. Patients With Skin Malignancy
MONDAY, Dec. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2012 to 2014, 41,185 patients with a diagnosis of skin malignancy of the head and neck region were identified, mostly with a diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), according to a study recently published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery.
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Rural Population Underrepresented Among Medical Students
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, less than 5 percent of all incoming medical students were rural students, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs, a theme issue on rural health.
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Retail Prescription Drug Prices Fall for First Time in 45 Years
FRIDAY, Dec. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Retail prescription drug prices in the United States fell by 1 percent last year, a new government report shows.
Services Affected by Rural Hospitals Joining Health Systems
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — While affiliating with health systems may boost a rural hospital’s financial viability, the affiliation is often associated with reductions in critical services, according to a study published in the December issue of Health Affairs, a theme issue on rural health.
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Adults Not Living in Metro Areas Have Reduced Access to Care
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adults not living in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) are more likely to have reduced access to or use of health care services, according to a study published online Dec. 4 in the National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Physician Depressive Symptoms Tied to Higher Risk for Medical Errors
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians showing depressive symptoms are at higher risk for medical errors, according to a review published Nov. 27 in JAMA Network Open.
Risk for Hodgkin Lymphoma Increased With Allergic Disease, Eczema
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is increased in association with immunosuppression, allergic disease, and eczema, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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Palmoplantar Pustulosis Confirmed as Orphan Disease
TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Co-occurring psoriasis is common among patients with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), according to a study published in the November issue of the British Journal of Dermatology.
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Fracture Risk Increased in Adults With Atopic Eczema
MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with atopic eczema have an increased risk for fracture, especially major osteoporotic fractures, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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