Ginette A. Okoye

Management of hidradenitis suppurativa in pregnancy

&NA; Hidradenitis suppurativa is a debilitating inflammatory skin disease with a chronic course and often disappointing response to treatment. Though a minority of persons (20%) reports symptom remission during pregnancy, the vast majority experiences no relief (72%), and few experience clinical deterioration (8%). Disease flares are also observed post‐partum. The pathophysiological basis for pregnancy‐associated fluctuations in clinical status is currently unknown. Because most women with HS require ongoing management throughout pregnancy, it is important to evaluate the suitability and safety of current treatment options for pregnant women. The following review will outline current management strategies for HS and their compatibility with pregnancy and lactation.

Understanding patient experiences with scarring alopecia: a qualitative study with management implications

Abstract Introduction: Alopecia can have a significant negative impact on patient’s lives. The objective of this study is to describe some of the emotional and psychological challenges that affect women with scarring alopecia (SA). Methods: A qualitative study design was used with open-ended, individual interviews with 10 women with biopsy-proven SA. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically using ATLAS.ti analysis software. Results: Four overarching major themes (with several subthemes) emerged including the following: the negative emotional impact of SA, difficulties with concealing hair loss, negative experiences with diagnosis/management, and the importance of support from others. Patients reported that many of these issues were under-emphasized during doctor visits. Conclusion: Analysis of patient responses indicated that patients with SA contend with significant emotional and psychological sequelae of their diagnosis.

Increasing Minority Representation in the Dermatology Department: The Johns Hopkins Experience

Recent attention has been paid to the increasing ethnic and racial diversity of the American population, which sharply contrasts with the lagging number of dermatology clinicians from groups that are underrepresented in medicine (UIM; including African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Pacific islanders). While approximately 16% of the US population identifies as Hispanic and 13% identify as African American, only 4% of dermatologists identify as Hispanic and 3% as African American.1 This discrepancy between the diversity in the American population and the dermatologists who will provide care to them will only become more marked as the ethnic diversity of our country continues to evolve.

Considering the impact of pregnancy on the natural history of hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory skin disease that disproportionately affects women of childbearing age. Yet, little has been written about the impact of pregnancy on the natural history of HS. It has been postulated that apocrine-gland activity diminishes in pregnancy, accounting for symptom remission. n nThis article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

A 31-year-old Black male presented with a 10-year history of a diffuse pruritic rash. He was initially diagnosed with pityriasis rosea and reported complete resolution of the eruption. However, a similar rash recurred eight years later. An alternative medicine specialist had prescribed an oral anti-fungal and later topical steroid without resolution.

Health disparities in mycosis fungoides

Abstract Mycosis fungoides, the most common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, has a higher incidence and poorer prognosis in African-Americans. The factors that may be contributing to this disparity are presented in the context of a health disparities framework that includes discussion of patient-related factors such as race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and biological differences, provider-related factors such as patient–provider communication and the competing demands for providers’ time, and health care system-related factors such as access to health care and workforce diversity. The changing demographics of the USA emphasize the need to understand and address health disparities in mycosis fungoides and other dermatologic diseases. The framework presented here can be used to examine disparities in other dermatologic conditions and advance health disparities research in dermatology.