Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Dermatology for August 2008. 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.
Lancet Supports WHO Report on Health Inequality
FRIDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- The final report by the World Health Organization's Commission on Social Determinants of Health contains a strong mandate for reducing global inequalities in health care, according to an editorial published in the Aug. 30 issue of The Lancet.
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Laser Treatment May Minimize Surgical Scars
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- In patients with fresh surgical scars, the thermal action of laser treatment may significantly improve the wound healing process and minimize the scars' appearance, according to a pilot study published in the September issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
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Hypertension Drugs Reduce Risk of Skin Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs that block angiotensin II reduces the risk of skin cancer in high-risk individuals, according to a report published in the Sept. 3 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Skin Cancer History Increases Risk of Other Cancers
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with a personal history of non-melanoma skin cancer are at higher risk of developing cancers other than this type later in life, according to the results of a study published in the Sept. 3 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Fractional Laser Rejuvenation Repairs Sun Damage
TUESDAY, Aug. 26 (HealthDay News) -- In women with sun-damaged skin, fractional skin rejuvenation may significantly improve wrinkles, skin texture and mottled pigmentation, according to research published in the September issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine.
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Two Facial Transplants Deemed Short-Term Successes
FRIDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Facial transplantation is feasible for patients with disfigurement due to trauma or genetic disorders, according to two case studies published in the Aug. 23 issue of The Lancet.
Abstract - Guo
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Abstract - Lantieri
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Steroid Doping Can Cause Severe Acne Conglobata
FRIDAY, Aug. 22 (HealthDay News) -- Doping with anabolic steroids -- a common practice in professional and amateur sports -- can cause severe skin lesions that result in permanent scarring, according to an article published in the Aug. 23 issue of The Lancet.
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Outlook Mixed on US Presidential Candidates' Health Plans
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 20 (HealthDay News) -- The health care plans proposed by John McCain and Barack Obama would have uncertain effects on health care coverage in America, but potential problems with each plan are evident, according to a perspective piece in the Aug. 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Seniors Likely to Find Medicare Health Web Site Unusable
TUESDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Even older adults with computer skills may have difficulty using the Medicare.gov Web site to determine eligibility for services and enroll in a drug plan, according to a research letter published in the Aug. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Adolescents Prefer Total Acne Clearance Strategy
TUESDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Adolescent acne patients prefer a treatment strategy that would offer 100 percent acne clearance without scarring, and would be willing to pay more money to achieve this outcome, according to a study published in the August issue of the Archives of Dermatology.
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Combination Therapy Most Effective for Scalp Psoriasis
TUESDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A treatment combining betamethasone dipropionate and calcipotriene was more effective for treating scalp psoriasis than either component alone, according to research published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Melanoma Outcomes Studied in Organ Transplant Patients
MONDAY, Aug. 18 (HealthDay News) -- In solid-organ transplant recipients with malignant melanoma, outcomes of melanoma may be similar in those who are immunosuppressed and non-immunosuppressed, according to the results of a study published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Moisturizers May Increase Skin Cancers in High-Risk Mice
FRIDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- Regular use of certain commercially available moisturizers can increase the size and formation of skin tumors in a mouse model of sunlight-induced skin cancer, according to study findings published online Aug. 14 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
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Over 1 Billion U.S. Doctor, Hospital Visits Logged in 2006
THURSDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- In 2006, patients made an estimated 1.1 billion visits to physician offices and hospital emergency and outpatient departments in the United States, which was an average of four visits per person, according to health care statistics released Aug. 6 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Protein Critical for Hair Follicle Development and Growth
TUESDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDay News) -- A protein involved in cell adhesion and signaling is critical for the proper development of the dermal papilla, an important part of the hair follicle required for hair growth, researchers report in the Aug. 1 issue of Genes & Development.
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International Issue of Torture Complicity Analyzed
FRIDAY, Aug. 1 (HealthDay News) -- More than 100 countries condone the use of torture and have often recruited the medical community as participants without consequence, according to an editorial published online July 31 in BMJ.
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