Top 10 dermatology articles of 2016

Research funding that psoriasis had a strong association with type 2 diabetes and obesity in a nationwide study of Danish twins was among the 10 most-read articles of 2016 on Healio.com/Dermatology.

Other top-read articles of the year included research finding a link between Parkinson's disease and melanoma, and the FDA’s warning to health care professionals to avoid prescribing Nizoral oral tablets to treat skin and nail fungal infections, as it includes a risk for serious liver damage, adrenal gland problems and harmful interactions with other medications.

Psoriasis associated with type 2 diabetes, obesity in twin study

Psoriasis had a strong association with type 2 diabetes and obesity in a nationwide study of Danish twins, indicating a common genetic etiology between psoriasis and obesity, according to study results recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers in Denmark conducted a cross-sectional, population-based twin study that included 34,781 Danish twins born between 1931 and 1982, and aged 20 to 71 years. Read more

Incidence of late reactions to Juvéderm Volbella higher than expected

Patients in Israel who received injections of Juvéderm Volbella in the tear trough area or lips had a higher than expected incidence of late cutaneous reactions, according to study results.

Researchers examined the medical records of 400 patients (360 women; average age, 49.6 years) who were treated with Juvéderm Volbella (hyaluronic acid; HA-Vb) filler at four medical centers in Israel. Read more

FDA: Nizoral tablets linked to patient death, unapproved uses in skin, nail infections

The FDA has issued a warning to health care professionals to avoid prescribing Nizoral oral tablets to treat skin and nail fungal infections, as it includes a risk for serious liver damage, adrenal gland problems and harmful interactions with other medications.

The FDA approved label changes to Nizoral (ketoconazole, Janssen) oral tablets in 2013 to reflect the risks and remove the indications for treating skin and nail fungal infections, the agency stated in a safety alert. Read more

Link found between Parkinson's disease, melanoma

There is a link between Parkinson’s disease and melanoma, with possible etiologies including family history and common genetic susceptibility, according to recently published study results.

“Given that [levodopa] is a substrate in melanin synthesis, there existed a concern that this therapy [for Parkinson’s disease] might cause melanoma,” researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, wrote. Read more

Anti-PD-1 therapy for melanoma associated with eczema, vitiligo

Anti-programmed cell death-1 therapy for patients with metastatic melanoma was associated with cutaneous adverse events, including lichenoid reactions, eczema and vitiligo, according to published study results.

Researchers conducted a prospective and retrospective observational study with unresectable stage IIIC/IV metastatic melanoma treated with Keytruda (pembrolizumab, Merck) or Opdivo (nivolumab, Bristol-Myers Squibb) between May 1, 2012 and Feb. 1, 2015 at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Read more

Topical Jakafi successfully treats alopecia universalis

A patient in her late teens with alopecia universalis was successfully treated with topical Jakafi, with minimal adverse effects, according to study results recently published in JAMA Dermatology.

Brett A. King, MD, PhD, and colleagues studied the patient who presented with alopecia universalis. She had not received any treatment for 2 years and had previously been treated with prednisone, intralesional triamcinolone, sulfasalazine, topical squaric acid dibutylester and topical anthralin, which were ineffective. Read more

Researchers review wrinkles occurring through facial compression during sleep

Facial compression during sleep results in wrinkles, and possibly contributes to skin expansion, according to research recently published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal.

Goesel Anson, MD, FACS, of Anson, Edwards & Higgins, Plastic Surgery Associates, Las Vegas, and colleagues conducted a literature review related to wrinkle development and biomechanical changes occurring “in response to intrinsic and extrinsic influences.” Read more

Early androgenetic alopecia in men considered phenotypic equivalent of PCOS in women

Men with early androgenic alopecia, or patterned hair loss before age 30, could be considered phenotypic equivalents to women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and may have the same health risks, according to study results published in JAMA Dermatology.

The researchers conducted a case-control study of 57 men aged 19 to 30 years (mean age, 24.7 years) with androgenic alopecia who presented between Jan. 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015 to a tertiary care government hospital in New Delhi, India. Read more

Kybella may be an effective alternative to surgical treatment for submental fat

Kybella demonstrated efficacy in treating submental fat, and may be an alternative to surgical treatment, according to recently published study results.

Blunt blade subcision effective in treating acne scars

A blunt blade subcision procedure was effective in treating atrophic acne scars, with mild adverse effects, according to published study results.

Researchers in Tehran, Iran, studied 18 patients (11 female; average age, 25 years) with moderate-to-severe bilateral atrophic facial acne scars considered eligible for subcision between September 2012 and March 2013. Read more

No significant difference found between Otezla, methotrexate in treating psoriasis

There were no statistically significant differences found in efficacy between Otezla and methotrexate for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, according to published study results.

April W. Armstrong, MD, MPH, of the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and colleagues conducted a literature review to identify trials that included patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who reported 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score (PASI 75) from baseline to week 16. Read more