From Psoriasis to Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Top 10 Research Priorities
A recent study published in the Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery1 found that patient and provider research priorities should be utilized as a guide to multidisciplinary research networks within Canada and internationally.
In this feature interview with The Dermatologist, Aaron Drucker MD, ScM, FRCPC, discussed what the Skin Investigation Network is and how research priorities can optimize patient care.
Dr Aaron Drucker is a dermatologist and clinician scientist at the University of Toronto and Women’s College Hospital in Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Can you go over what the Skin Investigation Network is?
Skin Investigation Network of Canada (SkIN Canada) is a network of researchers, patients, and clinicians with the shared goal of conducting innovative, high-quality research that improves the skin health of Canadians. We are funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis). We aim to advance skin research by creating a national forum led by patients and knowledge users, and to strengthen collaborations and capacity in the skin research community. Some of these aims include developing national infrastructure, prioritizing research questions that are relevant to patients, and expanding a network of skin research experts.
- Why did you and your team choose to conduct this study?
There are hundreds of different skin conditions and innumerable potential research questions to answer. We wanted to acknowledge the increasing recognition that the perspectives of patients and health care providers must be incorporated in the development of research priorities. One of our first tasks as a network was to develop priorities for what our network should focus on. What skin conditions should we prioritize? What questions are most important to patients and clinicians? We conducted our priority setting initiative (PSI) to put us on course, which is utilized to identify patient-relevant knowledge gaps and prioritize unanswered skin questions of concern. With PSI we were able to observe that atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and hidradenitis suppurativa were the conditions that were most identified by patients as priorities among inflammatory skin conditions.
- What are the top 10 lists of knowledge gaps and how should these shape research priorities?
Per our SkIN Canada PSI results site, the top 10 lists of knowledge gaps for 9 prioritized conditions, including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa, highlight major research priorities. The knowledge gaps identified range from basic epidemiology and pathophysiology to disease prevention and management. A good example is psoriasis, with questions ranging from, “What molecules and molecular pathways trigger inflammation and lead to different types of psoriasis?” to, “How do changes in female hormones, such as during puberty, pregnancy, miscarriage, menopause, and contraceptive use, affect psoriasis and its treatment?”
These top 10 lists are not meant to be exhaustive—researchers can and should tackle other important questions for these and other skin conditions—but these priority areas, which were selected based on extensive input form patients and clinicians, can be used to guide researchers as they select topics to study.
- How did health care provider surveys differ from patient and researcher surveys?
Patients, health care providers, and researchers all bring different perspectives to the table. They each have their own understanding of the condition under study, what they believe are important gaps in knowledge, and what priorities ought to be focused on. An amazing part of the priority setting initiative was that the final step involved bringing those groups together to agree on the final lists. We did focus groups that included patient and clinician stakeholders together. This allowed us not just to hear from each group, but also to have each group hear from each other and develop priorities together.
- Is there anything else you would like to share with your colleagues about the Skin Investigation Network and the study?
We want to continue to work with patients, clinicians, and researchers to conduct impactful research that will improve the lives of people with skin conditions. If any of our colleagues have an idea for a research study that they would like to work with SkIN Canada on, and similarly, if there are a clinicians who would be interested in participating in research, please get in touch at info@skincanada.org.
Reference
- Drucker AM, Kleiner O, Manion R, et al. Top ten research priorities for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa: the SkIN Canada priority setting initiative. J Cutan Med Surg. 2023;27(2):133-139. doi:10.1177/12034754231156103
