BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: New treatments for melanoma, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, present unique adverse events compared to traditional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. Existing health-related...BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: New treatments for melanoma, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy, present unique adverse events compared to traditional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. Existing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures often fail to address these new treatment effects and focus primarily on chemotherapy and surgery. This study aimed to develop and validate a new HRQoL instrument for melanoma patients across all tumor stages, encompassing a broader range of adverse events and melanoma-specific aspects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Essen Melanoma Quality of Life Inventory (EMQoLI) was tested with 387 German-speaking malignant melanoma patients across all tumor stages. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure. Eight items were removed due to low or cross-loading, leaving a final version of 25 items with satisfactory reliability and internal consistency. Correlation analyses indicated good convergent and discriminant validity. CONCLUSIONS: The EMQoLI is a 25-item German self-report tool based on a 5-point Likert scale, designed to assess HRQoL in melanoma patients across all tumor stages. It offers healthcare professionals an efficient tool to identify patients needing psychosocial support and can serve as a standardized measurement instrument in clinical settings.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the acceptance of Germany's adoption of digital health interventions (DHI) among dermatology patientsand to identify patient clusters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, quant...BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the acceptance of Germany's adoption of digital health interventions (DHI) among dermatology patientsand to identify patient clusters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, quantitative survey on acceptability and (future) usage of DHIs was conducted among patients with chronic dermatological conditions. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) identified key constructs and patients were grouped using a two-step clustering approach. RESULTS: The EFA was conducted using data from 344 patients (mean age 52.5 years, SD 14.8; 74.0 % female) and identified four factors: "Acceptability of DHIs and Trust," "Patients' Digital Health Competencies," "Digital Health Insecurities," and "Positive Impact of DHIs." Cluster analysis resulted in four groups: "Digital Sceptics" (n = 49, 15.6 %), "Cautious Adopters" (n = 106, 33.7 %), "Digital Enthusiasts" (n = 98, 31.1 %), "Adopters Unsure About Impact" (n = 62, 18.0 %). "Digital Enthusiasts" were significantly younger. Usage and acceptability varied among clusters, with "Digital Enthusiasts" and "Adopters Unsure About Impact" showing the highest rates. Overall, few patients used DHIs, including store-and-forward teledermatology (2.0 %-7.0 %) or electronic patient records (6.4 %-19.4 %). CONCLUSIONS: Patient clusters with varying attitudes towards DHIs were identified. Despite a general willingness to adopt DHIs, actual usage remains low. Systemic barriers such as availability and digital competencies need to be addressed.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with psoriatic disease (PsO) and a prior history of malignancy are limited. This study aimed to compare the incidence of newly diagn...BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of patients with psoriatic disease (PsO) and a prior history of malignancy are limited. This study aimed to compare the incidence of newly diagnosed neoplasms among patients with PsO and a previous malignancy receiving treatment with conventional systemic therapies, apremilast, or biologic agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study using TriNetX. PsO patients (ICD10:L40) with a previous diagnosis of cancer (ICD10:C00-D49) less than 5 years prior to systemic therapy initiation were selected. Outcomes evaluated included new documentation of neoplasms and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Patients under biologic therapy had a significantly lower new neoplasm documentation rate and all-cause mortality compared to classical agents (HR 0.857 and HR 0.705, respectively) and apremilast (HR 0.782 and HR 0.803, respectively) at 3 years follow-up. Only TNFi exhibited a significantly lower new neoplasm rate (HR 0.867, p < 0.0001) compared to classical agents; however, all biologic agents significantly decreased mortality. IL-23i was the only biologic therapy to significantly lower cancer recurrence risk (RR 0.878) compared to TNFi, with no differences in all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Biologic therapy for PsO may represent a safe treatment option in patients with a history of malignancy, compared with conventional systemic therapies or apremilast. Among biologic agents, IL-23 inhibitors appear to be associated with the most favorable safety profile.
Boyard A, Stéphan F, Chaumette B
… +10 more, Moreau M, Bleton L, Hornez N, Genestet S, Betrand J, Bourhis A, Bon-Jégo ML, Bienvenu T, Verebi C, Misery L
Mössner R, Fetter T, Sabat R
… +3 more, Mrowietz U, Cramer N, Wilsmann-Theis D
J Dtsch Dermatol Ges
· 2026 Apr · PMID 41948989
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Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory and often painful disease characterized by sterile pustules on the palms and soles, significantly impairing quality of life. Women are more frequently affected than...Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a chronic inflammatory and often painful disease characterized by sterile pustules on the palms and soles, significantly impairing quality of life. Women are more frequently affected than men, and smoking is a major trigger. Under biologic therapies, especially TNF antagonists, a paradoxical PPP may occur. PPP is associated with psoriasis vulgaris and may be accompanied by osteoarticular involvement. Pathogenetically, PPP likely begins around the acrosyringium, with the pustules consisting almost exclusively of infiltrating neutrophilic granulocytes attracted by chemotactic factors secreted by activated keratinocytes. Inflammation is sustained through a self-amplifying cytokine network, including interleukin (IL)-17, IL-19, and related mediators. Treatment options for PPP include topical treatments, UV-phototherapies - particularly topical PUVA (Psoralen plus UVA) therapy- and systemic therapies. Systemic agents comprise conventional treatments such as acitretin, methotrexate, fumaric acid esters, and ciclosporin, newer small molecules like apremilast and Janus kinase inhibitors, as well as biologics. Conventional systemic therapies are often not sufficiently effective in PPP and associated with side effects. Currently, among systemic therapies, only acitretin is approved for PPP. In recent years, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated a significant effect of apremilast, brodalumab, guselkumab and risankizumab on PPP, and further studies with topical and systemic Janus kinase inhibitors as well as IL-17A/F inhibitors are underway.
BACKGROUND: Realistic and accessible models are essential for training physicians in clinical procedures. This study investigated whether a cost-effective 3D-printed skin model is superior to fruit and foam models for te...BACKGROUND: Realistic and accessible models are essential for training physicians in clinical procedures. This study investigated whether a cost-effective 3D-printed skin model is superior to fruit and foam models for teaching skin biopsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study (10/2023-02/2025) involved 148 medical students who compared the 3D skin model, made of soft silicone, shore hardness 10-A, with fruit and foam for punch biopsy training. Previous cohorts used only fruit and foam. 28 physicians assessed realism of the 3D model versus real skin. Practical skills were evaluated in Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), and feedback from students and physicians was collected via standardized questionnaires. Economic and ecological impacts were analyzed. RESULTS: Students rated the 3D skin model significantly higher for realism and training suitability than fruit and foam (p < 0.001). OSCE scores indicated comparable skill acquisition (p = 0.2005). Physicians found the 3D model more anatomically and haptically realistic than foam and fruit (each p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 3D-printed skin model is a superior, cost-effective training tool that overcomes limitations of traditional models, improves confidence, and enhances skill acquisition. Although production is resource-intensive, its reusability and low-cost materials make it sustainable. Anatomical realism fosters interest in dermatology, making it a promising innovation in medical education.
Brufau-Cochs M, Carrera-García L, Expósito-Escudero JM
… +7 more, Nascimiento-Osorio A, Yubero-Siles D, Jou-Muñoz C, Ivars-Lleó M, Vicente-Villa MA, Baselga-Torres E, Torres CP