COVID-19’s effect on immune-mediated diseases tops 2020 immunodermatology news

A study regarding COVID-19’s impact on individuals with immune-mediated diseases such as hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis was the most-read immunodermatology article on Healio/Dermatology in 2020.

Other leading articles included research into treatments and causes of HS, lichen planus and morphea.

Here are the year’s top 10 most-read immunodermatology articles:

Cutaneous immune-mediated diseases may not have higher risk for severe COVID-19

Patients with cutaneous immune-mediated diseases, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa, may not have an increased risk for developing severe COVID-19, based on available data from the current and previous coronavirus outbreaks. Read more.

Laser, light-based therapies show increased utility in hidradenitis suppurativa

Laser and light-based options are gaining popularity because they may be associated with fewer adverse events than systemic therapies. While the mechanism of action of many of these therapies is not fully certain, they may decrease inflammation, destroy hair follicles, target sebaceous glands, kill bacteria and debulk lesions through ablation. Read more.

Childhood BMI, birth weight linked to hidradenitis suppurativa in adulthood

The cohort study included 347,200 Danish children born between 1930 and 1996. Between the ages of 7 and 13 years, weight and height were measured by school doctors or nurses, and birth weight was reported by parents. Read more.

Infliximab every 4 weeks may be beneficial in treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa

The prospective analysis included 42 patients who received an induction dose of infliximab 7.5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2 and 6, with a maintenance dose of 7.5 mg/kg every 4 weeks thereafter. In a second cohort, 16 patients who did not experience sufficient disease control after the induction dose received a dose escalation of infliximab 10 mg/kg. Read more.

Study shows global prevalence of oral lichen planus

Oral lichen planus is more likely to occur in non-Asian countries and among women, according to results of a meta-analysis. Read more.

Hidradenitis suppurativa increases risk for inflammatory arthritis

There is an increased risk for developing inflammatory arthritis among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa, according to a population-based cohort study. Read more.

Study validates standard of care therapies in morphea

In the prospective cohort study, the researchers aimed to assess morphea disease course in 130 adults and children who had been treated with standard of care treatment protocols using validated disease outcome tools. Read more.

Rituximab shows promise in refractory lupus erythematosus panniculitis in children

Researchers conducted a retrospective case series study of four patients with childhood-onset LEP from the University of Minnesota pediatric dermatology and rheumatology clinics between July 2014 and July 2018. Read more.

Ixekizumab associated with improvement in pityriasis rubra pilaris

A single-arm investigator-initiated trial of adults with moderate to severe pityriasis rubra pilaris included 12 patients, of which 11 completed a treatment regimen of ixekizumab: a 160 mg subcutaneous injection at the initial visit followed by 80 mg subcutaneous injections every 2 weeks through week 12 and then 80 mg subcutaneous injections every 4 weeks through week 20. Read more.

Mycophenolate shows efficacy, tolerability in morphea

The researchers conducted the retrospective cohort study to assess the efficacy and tolerability of mycophenolate in a cohort of 77 patients from eight institutions. Data for patients treated between Jan. 1, 1999, and Dec. 31, 2018, were included in the analysis. Read more.