Clinical and Economic
Impact of Apligraf for the Treatment
of Nonhealing Venous Leg Ulcers
Link Code: d1151
Journal: International Journal
of Dermatology (December 2003)
Authors: Fivenson D, Scherschun
L
Purpose: To examine the clinical
and economic impact of the use of
Apligraf for the treatment of venous
leg ulcers (VLUs) in clinical practice.
Results: Researchers conducted
a chart review of 13 patients treated
with Apligraf for one or more nonhealing
VLUs over a two-year period, with
follow-up treatment of nine months.
Primary clinical outcomes measured
were mean change in baseline ulcer
size per week and percent reduction
in baseline ulcer size at final study
visit. Treatment with Apligraf produced
a mean decrease in ulcer size of 2.37
cm 2 per week; at final study visit,
treated patients' ulcers exhibited
a mean reduction in baseline size
of 60.5%. The authors also report
"ulcer-related medical costs per unit
change in ulcer size were lower following
Apligraf treatment relative to such
costs with conventional compression
therapy."
www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/
j.1365-4632.2003.02039.x/abs
Comparative Efficacy Study of Rosac
Cream with Sunscreens and MetroCream
in the Twice-Daily Treatment of Rosacea
Link Code: d1153
Journal: Skin and Aging Supplement:
New Perspectives on Rosacea (October
2003)
Authors: Shalita AR, Dosik JS,
Neumaier GJ, et al.
Purpose: To compare the safety
and efficacy of Rosac Cream and MetroCream
in rosacea treatment.
Results: After 12 weeks of
treatment with Rosac, a significantly
greater proportion of study participants
experienced improve-ment in investigator
global severity (83%) than with MetroCream
(58%). A 12-week treatment with Rosac
also resulted in greater percent reductions
in lesions (82%) than with MetroCream
(68%). In addition, the Rosac group
exhibited a larger improve-ment in
erythema than the MetroCream group.
www.skinandaging.com/sa/supplements/pdf/
Stiefel_Supplement.pdf
Permanent Hair Removal With a Diode-Pumped
Nd: YAG Laser: A Pilot Study Using
the Direct Insertion Method
Link Code: d1154
Journal: Journal of the American
Academy of Dermatology (December 2003)
Authors: Hashimoto K, Kogure M,
Irwin TL, et al.
Purpose: To determine whether permanent
hair removal can be achieved through
the use of a diode-pumped neodymium:
yttrium-aluminum- garnet (Nd: YAG) laser
system with an insulated opti-cal needle,
and also to "establish laser treatment
parameters that allow for quick and
effective removal of hair with minimal
pain and no long-term medical complications."
Results: Using the laser setup and
application described in the title,
researchers treated 200-300 shin hairs
on each of five test subjects and
then observed them for up to 30 months
for hair regrowth. Three subjects
showed permanent loss of 76%-94%,
one subject lost 35% of the original
hair, with regrown hair reported as
"much thinner," and one subject lost
23% of the original hair.
www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=
searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=as019096220302
1303&nav=abs
Quality of Life in Patients With Allergic
Contact Dermatitis
Link Code: d1155
Journal: Journal of the American
Academy of Dermatology (December 2003)
Authors: Kadyk DL, McCarter
K, Achen F, Belsito DV
Purpose: To investigate the
impact of allergic contact dermatitis
(ACD) on quality of life (QOL) of
428 patients with ACD and explore
prognostic factors that influence
clinical outcomes.
Results: Participants were mailed
a QOL questionnaire modified from Skindex-16
to include an additional five items
pertaining to occupational impact; QOL
scores were correlated with sub-ject
demographics, disease characteristics,
and management techniques. Data indicate
ACD has an "appreciable effect" on QOL,
"especially when it affects the hands,
the face, or is occupationally related."
Investigators also report that "out-comes
in patients with ACD were improved by
early diagnosis and subjects enjoyed
their best QOL at 6 to 12 months after
patch testing."
www2.us.elsevierhealth.com/scripts/om.dll/serve?action=
searchDB&searchDBfor=art&artType=abs&id=as019096220302
1121&nav=absfacts |
