The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) held its 70th Annual Meeting in March in San Diego, CA, with record attendance, according to the AAD. By the end of the meeting, the AAD reported a total of 19,402 registrants, breaking the record that was set at the 2010 meeting in Miami, which had 19,342 registrants. Attendees were able to walk through the exhibit hall of 450 exhibitors or attend the education sessions and poster presentations to learn about new products and research.
Here’s a highlight of some of what was presented during this year’s meeting.
The Plenary Session
Ronald L. Moy, MD, gave his last address as president of the AAD, during the Plenary Session, in which he highlighted the achievements of the AAD over the last year and the importance of continuing to strengthen the relationship between the board of directors and members. He also stressed the need for the AAD to continue to adapt to a changing world. Dan M. Siegel, MD, the incoming president, spoke about how the AAD can move forward in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment, using his iPad to demonstrate key aspects of the AAD’s website and show a preview of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology’s soon-to-be released app. He also spoke of the need for members to find something to get involved in to give back to the field of dermatology.
This year’s Plenary Session also included a Eugene J. Van Scott Award for Innovative Therapy of the Skin and the Phillip Frost Leadership Lecture by Alastair Carruthers, MD, and Jean DA Carruthers, MD, about their role in introducing botulinum toxins to dermatology and the effects that has had on the field, as Botox Cosmetic is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
As the recipient of the Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Award and Lectureship, Darrell S. Rigel, MD, shared his experience working as a former resident under the late Dr. Livingood, how he benefited from his mentor’s leadership and his thoughts on what made Dr. Livingood such an effective leader. Dr. Rigel called on AAD members to become effective leaders during his presentation, “Influencing the Direction of Our Specialty — How Effective Leaders Can Make an Impact.”
Richard L. Gallo, MD, was awarded the Marion B. Suzberger, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship. He explained how antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) protect the immune system and how they may play an important role in patients with skin disease.
Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, a Nobel laureate, delivered the Lila Gruber Memorial Cancer Research Award and Lectureship, discussing how telomerase function and dysfunction affect disease and the role of telomerase in cancer.
The Plenary Session also included a lecture from guest speaker Bill Walton, a legendary NCAA and NBA player and sports announcer. He shared inspiring stories about he overcame physical adversities, such as breaking his spine in college, to go on to win national titles and become an Emmy Award-winning sports analyst.
Educational Sessions
Adult-onset Acne in Women Increasing in Incidence
Bethanee Jean Schlosser, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Women’s Skin Health at Northwesterm University Feinberg School of Medicine, who directed the forum “Acne Guidelines: Translating Evidence into Practice,” discussed how dermatologists are finding that late-onset or adult-onset acne is becoming increasingly common in women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s, according to the AAD. While there are many treatments for acne, in women, hormonal therapies can be safe and effective.
After reviewing the role of how hormones can cause acne, Dr. Schlosser discussed treatment considerations, including the need to tailor treatment to a patient’s specific type and severity of acne. She also discussed pregnancy considerations when treating adult females with acne, since there are several oral and topical medications that should not be prescribed during pregnancy. Other considerations include dry skin and other conditions, like rosacea, that can make some acne treatments harder to tolerate.
According to an AAD release, Dr. Schlosser noted that topical retinoids, a first-line therapy for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne accompanied by blackheads and whiteheads, are the preferred therapy for overall long-term prevention of new acne.
In terms of hormone therapies, combination oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been found to effectively clear acne in women either when used alone or in conjunction with an anti-androgen medication, such as spironolactone. While several different OCPs have been shown to be effective in treating acne, the OCPs that are FDA-approved to treat hormonal acne include ethinyl estradiol and the progestin norgestimate.
When prescribing hormonal therapy, it is important to screen for contraindications, including personal history of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke or blood clots, uncontrolled high blood pressure and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Patients also need to be monitored regularly while using hormonal therapies.
The Link Between Psoriasis and Other Serious Diseases
Information presented by Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, encourages dermatologists to work with psoriasis patients to monitor their health for other serious medical conditions. Because research has shown that psoriasis is associated with excessive and chronic inflammation, which is also characteristic of other insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, emerging studies have linked these serious medical conditions to psoriasis, according to the AAD.
Dr. Gelfand reviewed the studies that established a link between psoriasis and cholesterol, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular concerns.
Cholesterol concerns. Studies using innovative techniques to evaluate cholesterol composition and function have shown that psoriasis patients have LDL cholesterol that consists of smaller and denser cholesterol particles, a pattern observed in patients with diabetes that are more likely to cause hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. According to an AAD release, Dr. Gelfand said that, for the first time, it has been demonstrated that psoriasis patients also have impaired function of HDL cholesterol, which may not allow HDL to remove cholesterol from the cells in the arteries.
Metabolic syndrome concerns. Studies involving more than 4,000 patients with psoriasis have shown that the more body surface area of skin that is affected by psoriasis, the higher the likelihood that the patient will have metabolic syndrome. Dr. Gelfand explained that this study suggested that increased skin disease severity was more strongly associated with potentially serious metabolic disorders.
Cardiovascular disease concerns. One study found that patients with severe psoriasis may die about 5 years younger than patients who do not have the disease, and 50 percent of this excess mortality is due to cardiovascular disease. Many studies have linked more severe cases of psoriasis to higher rates of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, according to the AAD release.
“Future research is necessary to better determine how skin disease severity affects the risk of developing insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, and whether successful treatment of psoriasis alters these risks,” said Dr. Gelfand.
A multi-center clinical trial funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is planned to determine if treatment of psoriasis improves arterial inflammation, cholesterol function and metabolic syndrome.
Are New Surgical Techniques Effective for Treating Vitiligo?
Rebat M. Halder, MD, FAAD, professor and chair, department of dermatology, Howard University, Washington, DC, presented information on new surgical techniques being used to treat vitiligo. The most common treatments for vitiligo include topical medications and light therapy that can be used in combination to restore pigment, but newer surgical techniques are being introduced that have been shown to have a high success rate in restoring pigment to affected areas.
Patients who have vitiligo that hasn’t changed in at least 6 months could be candidates for skin grafting. Normal skin is used as donor tissue and then grafts are surgically transplanted on areas of vitiligo. According to the Dr. Halder, the new skin grafts start producing pigment. This procedure can be used for patients with limited areas of vitiligo and also in those with more extensive disease. Patients can decide to use grafts on one area of the body, such as the face, and choose another therapy for other areas affected by vitiligo, such as the hands. The success rate is 80% to 90% for most patients.
For patients with limited vitiligo that has been stable for at least 6 months, a melanocyte transplant procedure is an option. In this procedure, melanocytes and keratinocytes are obtained surgically under local anesthesia from the patient and then grown in culture in the lab overnight. Once grown, the cells are then placed or applied on the patient’s vitiligo patches. Melanocyte transplants have a 95% success rate.
Phototherapy often is used after both skin grafting and melanocyte transplants to stimulate cells to make new pigment faster in treated areas, according to the AAD release.
In the coming months, look for more coverage and highlights of new research presented at the AAD Annual Meeting, from insights into treating ethnic skin and hair to treating skin cancer.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) held its 70th Annual Meeting in March in San Diego, CA, with record attendance, according to the AAD. By the end of the meeting, the AAD reported a total of 19,402 registrants, breaking the record that was set at the 2010 meeting in Miami, which had 19,342 registrants. Attendees were able to walk through the exhibit hall of 450 exhibitors or attend the education sessions and poster presentations to learn about new products and research.
Here’s a highlight of some of what was presented during this year’s meeting.
The Plenary Session
Ronald L. Moy, MD, gave his last address as president of the AAD, during the Plenary Session, in which he highlighted the achievements of the AAD over the last year and the importance of continuing to strengthen the relationship between the board of directors and members. He also stressed the need for the AAD to continue to adapt to a changing world. Dan M. Siegel, MD, the incoming president, spoke about how the AAD can move forward in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment, using his iPad to demonstrate key aspects of the AAD’s website and show a preview of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology’s soon-to-be released app. He also spoke of the need for members to find something to get involved in to give back to the field of dermatology.
This year’s Plenary Session also included a Eugene J. Van Scott Award for Innovative Therapy of the Skin and the Phillip Frost Leadership Lecture by Alastair Carruthers, MD, and Jean DA Carruthers, MD, about their role in introducing botulinum toxins to dermatology and the effects that has had on the field, as Botox Cosmetic is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
As the recipient of the Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Award and Lectureship, Darrell S. Rigel, MD, shared his experience working as a former resident under the late Dr. Livingood, how he benefited from his mentor’s leadership and his thoughts on what made Dr. Livingood such an effective leader. Dr. Rigel called on AAD members to become effective leaders during his presentation, “Influencing the Direction of Our Specialty — How Effective Leaders Can Make an Impact.”
Richard L. Gallo, MD, was awarded the Marion B. Suzberger, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship. He explained how antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) protect the immune system and how they may play an important role in patients with skin disease.
Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, a Nobel laureate, delivered the Lila Gruber Memorial Cancer Research Award and Lectureship, discussing how telomerase function and dysfunction affect disease and the role of telomerase in cancer.
The Plenary Session also included a lecture from guest speaker Bill Walton, a legendary NCAA and NBA player and sports announcer. He shared inspiring stories about he overcame physical adversities, such as breaking his spine in college, to go on to win national titles and become an Emmy Award-winning sports analyst.
Educational Sessions
Adult-onset Acne in Women Increasing in Incidence
Bethanee Jean Schlosser, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Women’s Skin Health at Northwesterm University Feinberg School of Medicine, who directed the forum “Acne Guidelines: Translating Evidence into Practice,” discussed how dermatologists are finding that late-onset or adult-onset acne is becoming increasingly common in women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s, according to the AAD. While there are many treatments for acne, in women, hormonal therapies can be safe and effective.
After reviewing the role of how hormones can cause acne, Dr. Schlosser discussed treatment considerations, including the need to tailor treatment to a patient’s specific type and severity of acne. She also discussed pregnancy considerations when treating adult females with acne, since there are several oral and topical medications that should not be prescribed during pregnancy. Other considerations include dry skin and other conditions, like rosacea, that can make some acne treatments harder to tolerate.
According to an AAD release, Dr. Schlosser noted that topical retinoids, a first-line therapy for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne accompanied by blackheads and whiteheads, are the preferred therapy for overall long-term prevention of new acne.
In terms of hormone therapies, combination oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been found to effectively clear acne in women either when used alone or in conjunction with an anti-androgen medication, such as spironolactone. While several different OCPs have been shown to be effective in treating acne, the OCPs that are FDA-approved to treat hormonal acne include ethinyl estradiol and the progestin norgestimate.
When prescribing hormonal therapy, it is important to screen for contraindications, including personal history of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke or blood clots, uncontrolled high blood pressure and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Patients also need to be monitored regularly while using hormonal therapies.
The Link Between Psoriasis and Other Serious Diseases
Information presented by Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, encourages dermatologists to work with psoriasis patients to monitor their health for other serious medical conditions. Because research has shown that psoriasis is associated with excessive and chronic inflammation, which is also characteristic of other insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, emerging studies have linked these serious medical conditions to psoriasis, according to the AAD.
Dr. Gelfand reviewed the studies that established a link between psoriasis and cholesterol, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular concerns.
Cholesterol concerns. Studies using innovative techniques to evaluate cholesterol composition and function have shown that psoriasis patients have LDL cholesterol that consists of smaller and denser cholesterol particles, a pattern observed in patients with diabetes that are more likely to cause hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. According to an AAD release, Dr. Gelfand said that, for the first time, it has been demonstrated that psoriasis patients also have impaired function of HDL cholesterol, which may not allow HDL to remove cholesterol from the cells in the arteries.
Metabolic syndrome concerns. Studies involving more than 4,000 patients with psoriasis have shown that the more body surface area of skin that is affected by psoriasis, the higher the likelihood that the patient will have metabolic syndrome. Dr. Gelfand explained that this study suggested that increased skin disease severity was more strongly associated with potentially serious metabolic disorders.
Cardiovascular disease concerns. One study found that patients with severe psoriasis may die about 5 years younger than patients who do not have the disease, and 50 percent of this excess mortality is due to cardiovascular disease. Many studies have linked more severe cases of psoriasis to higher rates of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, according to the AAD release.
“Future research is necessary to better determine how skin disease severity affects the risk of developing insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, and whether successful treatment of psoriasis alters these risks,” said Dr. Gelfand.
A multi-center clinical trial funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is planned to determine if treatment of psoriasis improves arterial inflammation, cholesterol function and metabolic syndrome.
Are New Surgical Techniques Effective for Treating Vitiligo?
Rebat M. Halder, MD, FAAD, professor and chair, department of dermatology, Howard University, Washington, DC, presented information on new surgical techniques being used to treat vitiligo. The most common treatments for vitiligo include topical medications and light therapy that can be used in combination to restore pigment, but newer surgical techniques are being introduced that have been shown to have a high success rate in restoring pigment to affected areas.
Patients who have vitiligo that hasn’t changed in at least 6 months could be candidates for skin grafting. Normal skin is used as donor tissue and then grafts are surgically transplanted on areas of vitiligo. According to the Dr. Halder, the new skin grafts start producing pigment. This procedure can be used for patients with limited areas of vitiligo and also in those with more extensive disease. Patients can decide to use grafts on one area of the body, such as the face, and choose another therapy for other areas affected by vitiligo, such as the hands. The success rate is 80% to 90% for most patients.
For patients with limited vitiligo that has been stable for at least 6 months, a melanocyte transplant procedure is an option. In this procedure, melanocytes and keratinocytes are obtained surgically under local anesthesia from the patient and then grown in culture in the lab overnight. Once grown, the cells are then placed or applied on the patient’s vitiligo patches. Melanocyte transplants have a 95% success rate.
Phototherapy often is used after both skin grafting and melanocyte transplants to stimulate cells to make new pigment faster in treated areas, according to the AAD release.
In the coming months, look for more coverage and highlights of new research presented at the AAD Annual Meeting, from insights into treating ethnic skin and hair to treating skin cancer.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) held its 70th Annual Meeting in March in San Diego, CA, with record attendance, according to the AAD. By the end of the meeting, the AAD reported a total of 19,402 registrants, breaking the record that was set at the 2010 meeting in Miami, which had 19,342 registrants. Attendees were able to walk through the exhibit hall of 450 exhibitors or attend the education sessions and poster presentations to learn about new products and research.
Here’s a highlight of some of what was presented during this year’s meeting.
The Plenary Session
Ronald L. Moy, MD, gave his last address as president of the AAD, during the Plenary Session, in which he highlighted the achievements of the AAD over the last year and the importance of continuing to strengthen the relationship between the board of directors and members. He also stressed the need for the AAD to continue to adapt to a changing world. Dan M. Siegel, MD, the incoming president, spoke about how the AAD can move forward in today’s ever-changing healthcare environment, using his iPad to demonstrate key aspects of the AAD’s website and show a preview of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology’s soon-to-be released app. He also spoke of the need for members to find something to get involved in to give back to the field of dermatology.
This year’s Plenary Session also included a Eugene J. Van Scott Award for Innovative Therapy of the Skin and the Phillip Frost Leadership Lecture by Alastair Carruthers, MD, and Jean DA Carruthers, MD, about their role in introducing botulinum toxins to dermatology and the effects that has had on the field, as Botox Cosmetic is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
As the recipient of the Clarence S. Livingood, MD, Award and Lectureship, Darrell S. Rigel, MD, shared his experience working as a former resident under the late Dr. Livingood, how he benefited from his mentor’s leadership and his thoughts on what made Dr. Livingood such an effective leader. Dr. Rigel called on AAD members to become effective leaders during his presentation, “Influencing the Direction of Our Specialty — How Effective Leaders Can Make an Impact.”
Richard L. Gallo, MD, was awarded the Marion B. Suzberger, MD, Memorial Award and Lectureship. He explained how antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) protect the immune system and how they may play an important role in patients with skin disease.
Elizabeth Blackburn, PhD, a Nobel laureate, delivered the Lila Gruber Memorial Cancer Research Award and Lectureship, discussing how telomerase function and dysfunction affect disease and the role of telomerase in cancer.
The Plenary Session also included a lecture from guest speaker Bill Walton, a legendary NCAA and NBA player and sports announcer. He shared inspiring stories about he overcame physical adversities, such as breaking his spine in college, to go on to win national titles and become an Emmy Award-winning sports analyst.
Educational Sessions
Adult-onset Acne in Women Increasing in Incidence
Bethanee Jean Schlosser, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and director of Women’s Skin Health at Northwesterm University Feinberg School of Medicine, who directed the forum “Acne Guidelines: Translating Evidence into Practice,” discussed how dermatologists are finding that late-onset or adult-onset acne is becoming increasingly common in women in their 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s, according to the AAD. While there are many treatments for acne, in women, hormonal therapies can be safe and effective.
After reviewing the role of how hormones can cause acne, Dr. Schlosser discussed treatment considerations, including the need to tailor treatment to a patient’s specific type and severity of acne. She also discussed pregnancy considerations when treating adult females with acne, since there are several oral and topical medications that should not be prescribed during pregnancy. Other considerations include dry skin and other conditions, like rosacea, that can make some acne treatments harder to tolerate.
According to an AAD release, Dr. Schlosser noted that topical retinoids, a first-line therapy for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne accompanied by blackheads and whiteheads, are the preferred therapy for overall long-term prevention of new acne.
In terms of hormone therapies, combination oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have been found to effectively clear acne in women either when used alone or in conjunction with an anti-androgen medication, such as spironolactone. While several different OCPs have been shown to be effective in treating acne, the OCPs that are FDA-approved to treat hormonal acne include ethinyl estradiol and the progestin norgestimate.
When prescribing hormonal therapy, it is important to screen for contraindications, including personal history of breast cancer, heart attack, stroke or blood clots, uncontrolled high blood pressure and abnormal vaginal bleeding. Patients also need to be monitored regularly while using hormonal therapies.
The Link Between Psoriasis and Other Serious Diseases
Information presented by Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE, FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology and epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, encourages dermatologists to work with psoriasis patients to monitor their health for other serious medical conditions. Because research has shown that psoriasis is associated with excessive and chronic inflammation, which is also characteristic of other insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, emerging studies have linked these serious medical conditions to psoriasis, according to the AAD.
Dr. Gelfand reviewed the studies that established a link between psoriasis and cholesterol, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular concerns.
Cholesterol concerns. Studies using innovative techniques to evaluate cholesterol composition and function have shown that psoriasis patients have LDL cholesterol that consists of smaller and denser cholesterol particles, a pattern observed in patients with diabetes that are more likely to cause hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. According to an AAD release, Dr. Gelfand said that, for the first time, it has been demonstrated that psoriasis patients also have impaired function of HDL cholesterol, which may not allow HDL to remove cholesterol from the cells in the arteries.
Metabolic syndrome concerns. Studies involving more than 4,000 patients with psoriasis have shown that the more body surface area of skin that is affected by psoriasis, the higher the likelihood that the patient will have metabolic syndrome. Dr. Gelfand explained that this study suggested that increased skin disease severity was more strongly associated with potentially serious metabolic disorders.
Cardiovascular disease concerns. One study found that patients with severe psoriasis may die about 5 years younger than patients who do not have the disease, and 50 percent of this excess mortality is due to cardiovascular disease. Many studies have linked more severe cases of psoriasis to higher rates of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, according to the AAD release.
“Future research is necessary to better determine how skin disease severity affects the risk of developing insulin resistance, obesity, abnormal cholesterol levels and cardiovascular disease, and whether successful treatment of psoriasis alters these risks,” said Dr. Gelfand.
A multi-center clinical trial funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is planned to determine if treatment of psoriasis improves arterial inflammation, cholesterol function and metabolic syndrome.
Are New Surgical Techniques Effective for Treating Vitiligo?
Rebat M. Halder, MD, FAAD, professor and chair, department of dermatology, Howard University, Washington, DC, presented information on new surgical techniques being used to treat vitiligo. The most common treatments for vitiligo include topical medications and light therapy that can be used in combination to restore pigment, but newer surgical techniques are being introduced that have been shown to have a high success rate in restoring pigment to affected areas.
Patients who have vitiligo that hasn’t changed in at least 6 months could be candidates for skin grafting. Normal skin is used as donor tissue and then grafts are surgically transplanted on areas of vitiligo. According to the Dr. Halder, the new skin grafts start producing pigment. This procedure can be used for patients with limited areas of vitiligo and also in those with more extensive disease. Patients can decide to use grafts on one area of the body, such as the face, and choose another therapy for other areas affected by vitiligo, such as the hands. The success rate is 80% to 90% for most patients.
For patients with limited vitiligo that has been stable for at least 6 months, a melanocyte transplant procedure is an option. In this procedure, melanocytes and keratinocytes are obtained surgically under local anesthesia from the patient and then grown in culture in the lab overnight. Once grown, the cells are then placed or applied on the patient’s vitiligo patches. Melanocyte transplants have a 95% success rate.
Phototherapy often is used after both skin grafting and melanocyte transplants to stimulate cells to make new pigment faster in treated areas, according to the AAD release.
In the coming months, look for more coverage and highlights of new research presented at the AAD Annual Meeting, from insights into treating ethnic skin and hair to treating skin cancer.
