SfM-3DULC: Reliability of a new 3D wound measurement procedure and its accuracy in projected area

[EN] Three-dimensional (3D) wound measurement lacks a gold standard to test accuracy. It is useful to develop procedures to scan wounds and reconstruct their 3D model with low-cost techniques. We present a new procedure (Structure from Motion [SfM]-3DULC) that uses photographs for measuring nine wound variables. We also propose a new variant of ImageJ in which an orthophoto is used to measure the projected area (Ortho-ImageJ). In addition, we compare the wound measurements made by dermatologists and non-experts. A group of five experts in dermatology and five non-specialists measured 33 leg wounds five times per procedure. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability scores of SfM-3DULC were evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2,1). The accuracy of the two new procedures (SfM-3DULC and Ortho-ImageJ) in the measurement of projected area was assessed by comparing their values with those obtained using ImageJ, with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test (alpha = 0.05). This test was also used to analyse the differences between the measurements made by dermatologists and non-experts. All the variables measured by dermatologists using SfM-3DULC showed excellent scores of intra-rater reliability (ICC > 0.99) and inter-rater reliability (ICC > 0.98). No significant differences between the three procedures were found when comparing their projected area values. Significant differences between the measurements of dermatologists and non-experts were found in most of the variables: circularity coefficient, perimeter, projected area, surface area, and reference surface area. The wound measurement procedure SfM-3DULC has an excellent reliability, is accurate for the measurement of projected area, and can be used by dermatologists for wound monitoring in everyday clinical practice.The authors thank Mr. Ramon Dura Mora and the Unidad de Enfermeria, ulceras y Heridas complejas La Fe. This work is part of the Ph.D. research of D.S-J., which is supported by a grant from Generalitat Valenciana-Conselleria de Educacion, Investigacion, Cultura y Deporte, and the European Social Fund (ACIF/2018/160).Sánchez-Jiménez, D.; Buchón Moragues, FF.; Escutia-Muñoz, B.; Botella-Estrada, R. (2022). SfM-3DULC: Reliability of a new 3D wound measurement procedure and its accuracy in projected area. International Wound Journal. 19(1):44-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.13595S445119

Development of Computer Vision Applications to Automate the Measurement of the Dimensions of Skin Wounds

[EN] This paper shows the progress in the development of two computer vision applications for measuring skin wounds. Both applications have been written in Python programming language and make use of OpenCV and Scipy open source libraries. Their objective is to be part of a software that calculates the dimensions of skin wounds in an objective and reliable way. This could be useful in the clinical follow-up, assessing the evolution of skin wounds, as well as in research, comparing the efficacy of different treatments. Merging these two applications into a single one would allow to generate two-dimensional results in real time, and three-dimensional results after a few hours of processingThis work is part of the Ph.D. research of D.S., which is supported by a grant from Generalitat Valenciana - Consellería de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte and the European Social Fund (ACIF/2018/160)Sánchez-Jiménez, D.; Buchón Moragues, FF.; Escutia-Muñoz, B.; Botella-Estrada, R. (2019). Development of Computer Vision Applications to Automate the Measurement of the Dimensions of Skin Wounds. Proceedings. 19(18):1-4. https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2019019018S14191

Heteroduplex analysis of T-cell receptor γ gene rearrangement as an adjuvant diagnostic tool in skin biopsies for erythroderma

Erythroderma, defined as red skin covering most of the body surface often accompanied or followed by exfoliation, is the clinical manifestation of at least six different underlying etiologies with allergic or irritant contact dermatitis, atopic/asteotic dermatitis, pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP), psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis accounting for the majority of cases. Approximately 10% of cases are due to adverse drug reactions with roughly another 10% due to cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), predominantly mycosis fungoides, or leukemia. It is clear from multiple studies that the clinical diagnosis of the underlying entity is often difficult, as these diseases can present in a very similar fashion. A skin biopsy is usually employed in this setting as a diagnostic tool. However, the histopathologic diagnosis of the underlying cause is complicated by the subtlety of the distinguishing histologic features. In this situation, an ancillary technique demonstrating the presence of a monoclonal T-cell proliferation could help to rule in or out CTCL in cases that clinically and histopathologically do not allow a definitive diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively studied 25 biopsies from sixteen patients who presented to the Stanford Dermatology Clinic with erythroderma. We examined the specimens morphologically and analyzed the gamma chain of the T-cell receptor (TCR- γ) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by heteroduplex analysis for clonality. We then correlated the results of our PCR and heteroduplex analyses with the patients’ clinical outcomes. Results: Four biopsies, from three patients, contained clonal TCR-γ rearrangements; the four biopsies, all of which were equivocal histologically, correlated to diagnoses of mycosis fungoides (MF) or SÉzary syndrome (SS). Twenty-one biopsies contained polyclonal T-cell populations. Eighteen of these biopsies represent patients with inflammatory dermatoses. Three of these biopsies, all of which were taken from a single patient, correlate to a diagnosis of MF. Conclusion: TCR-γ PCR heteroduplex analysis seems to represent an important adjuvant diagnostic tool that, used in conjunction with histopathology and clinical history, could help to clarify the underlying etiology of erythroderma.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72286/1/j.1600-0560.2001.280703.x.pd

Observational 24‐week study to assess clinical response to upadacitinib posttrial in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis

BackgroundThe oral anti-janus kinase 1 inhibitor upadacitinib has shown a good efficacy-safety profile in the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in clinical trials; however, few data from real clinical practice have been published so far.ObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of upadactinib in clinical practice.MethodsAn observational and multicentric study was conducted. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients who had previously received upadacitinib in the clinical trial M19-850 and continued treatment with upadacitinib (15 mg or 30 mg) under daily clinical practice conditions for 12 months. Demographic data, characteristics of AD, treatment response and adverse events were recorded. Preliminary results at 24-week follow-up are herein presented.ResultsA total of 26 patients (61.54% males, mean age: 35.58 years) were included in the study; of these, 92.31% received upadacitinib 30 mg at baseline. At 24 weeks, mean values of Eczema Area and Severity Index and body surface area were 2.26 and 2.37%, respectively, 82.35% of the patients reached the Investigator's Global Assessment 0/1 and the mean value of peak pruritus numerical rating scale was 1.74. Adverse events were present in 19.23% of the cases, causing one definitive treatment interruption (due to herpes zoster) and two temporary treatment discontinuations (due to temporary elevation of creatine kinase).ConclusionsThese data support the maintenance of the efficacy of upadacitinib at 24-week posttrial follow-up, with no unexpected safety concerns. More real-world data are needed to confirm these results

DNA copy number variation associated with anti-tumour necrosis factor drug response and paradoxical psoriasiform reactions in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis

Biological drugs targeting tumour necrosis factor are effective for psoriasis. However, 30–50% of patients do not respond to these drugs and may even develop paradoxical psoriasiform reactions. This study search-ed for DNA copy number variations that could predict anti-tumour necrotic factor drug response or the ap-pearance of anti-tumour necrotic factor induced pso-riasiform reactions. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 70 patients with anti-tumour necrotic factor drug-treated moderate-to-severe plaque pso-riasis. Samples were analysed with an Illumina 450K methylation microarray. Copy number variations were obtained from raw methylation data using conumee and Chip Analysis Methylation Pipeline (ChAMP) R packa-ges. One copy number variation was found, harbouring one gene (CPM) that was significantly associated with adalimumab response (Bonferroni-adjusted p-value < 0.05). Moreover, one copy number variation was identified harbouring 3 genes (ARNT2, LOC101929586 and MIR5572) related to the development of paradoxical psoriasiform reactions. In conclusion, this study has identified DNA copy number variations that could be good candidate markers to predict response to ada-limumab and the development of anti-tumour necrotic factor paradoxical psoriasiform reactions.This study was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI 13/01598 and the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Regional Development’s funds (FEDER). Conflicts of interest. FA-S has been a consultant or investigator in clinical trials sponsored by the following pharmaceutical companies: Abbott, Alter, Chemo, Farmalíder, Ferrer, GlaxoSmithKline, Gilead, Janssen-Cilag, Kern, Normon, Novartis, Servier, Teva, and Zambon. ED has potential conflicts of interest (advisory board member, consultant, grants, research support, participation in clinical trials, honoraria for speaking, and research support) with the following pharmaceutical companies: AbbVie (Abbott), Amgen, Janssen-Cilag, Leo Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, MSD, Lilly and Celgene. ML-V has potential conflicts of interest as she has participated in clinical trials or as consultant with Abbvie (Abbott), Galderma, Janssen-Cilag, Leo Pharma, Pfizer, Novarties, Lilly, Almirall and Celgene. MCO-B has potential conflicts of interest (honoraria for speaking and research support) with Janssen-Cilag and Leo Pharma. The other authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. AS-T has served as a consultant and/or paid speaker for and/or participated in clinical trials sponsored by companies that manufacture drugs used for the treatment of psoriasis, including AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer. RB-E has served as a consultant and/or paid speaker for and/or participated in clinical trials sponsored by companies that manufacture drugs used for the treatment of psoriasis, including AbbVie, Celgene, Janssen-Cilag, LEO Pharma, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer

Requirements for Accessing New Dermatology Drugs in Spain: Results of the EQUIDAD Study

Equidad; Fármacos; Dermatitis atópicaEquity; Drugs; Atopic dermatitisEquitat; Medicaments; Dermatitis atòpicaAntecedentes En España, aunque el Ministerio de Sanidad elabora el informe de posicionamiento terapéutico (IPT) y las condiciones de reembolso de los fármacos, las Comunidades Autónomas (CC. AA.) gestionan los servicios de salud y deciden sobre las condiciones de prescripción en su ámbito territorial. El objetivo del estudio EQUIDAD fue describir los condicionantes para la prescripción de los nuevos fármacos en Dermatología en las CC. AA. y sus posibles diferencias. Material y métodos Estudio transversal realizado en abril-mayo del 2023. Dos dermatólogos con responsabilidades directivas de cada Comunidad Autónoma (C. A.) informaron sobre los condicionantes autonómicos y locales en la prescripción de los fármacos cuyo IPT para el tratamiento de enfermedades dermatológicas fue publicado en los años 2016-2022. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante un cuestionario online. Resultados Un total de 33 investigadores de 17 CC. AA. participaron en el estudio. Se observaron inequidades entre CC. AA. para el acceso a los nuevos fármacos. Existieron condicionantes autonómicos adicionales al IPT en psoriasis en el 64,7% de las CC. AA., siendo este porcentaje menor en dermatitis atópica (35,3%) o melanoma (11,8%). El más frecuente fue el requisito de un orden de prescripción previo para el uso del fármaco. En algunas CC. AA. se detectaron además variaciones y condicionantes locales (diferencias entre centros de una misma C. A.). Conclusiones Existe una multiplicidad de criterios tanto a nivel autonómico como local que añade restricciones adicionales a las establecidas por los IPT y que plantean una situación de inequidad entre los pacientes y los profesionales de las diferentes CC. AA. en el acceso a los nuevos fármacos.Background Although the Spanish Ministry of Health prepares national therapeutic positioning reports (TPRs) and drug reimbursement policies, each of the country's 17 autonomous communities (ACs) is responsible for health care services and prescription requirements in its territory. The aim of the EQUIDAD study was to describe and explore potential differences in prescription requirements for new dermatology drugs across the autonomous communities. Material and methods Cross-sectional study conducted in April and May, 2023. Two dermatologists with management responsibilities from each autonomous community reported on territorial and more local prescription requirements for drugs covered by national TPRs issued between 2016 and 2022. Results Thirty-three researchers from 17 autonomous communities participated. The data submitted revealed between-community inequities in access to new drugs. Overall, 64.7% of the regions imposed additional prescription requirements to those mentioned in the TPRs for psoriasis. This percentage was lower for atopic dermatitis (35.3%) and melanoma (11.8%). The most common requirement for accessing a new drug was a previous prescription for another drug. Differences and additional requirements were also detected at the local level (i.e., differences between hospitals within the same autonomous community). Conclusions Spain's autonomous communities have multiple regional and local prescription requirements that are not aligned with national TPR recommendations. These differences result in inequitable access to new drugs for both patients and practitioners across Spain

Erythroderma: A clinical study of 97 cases

BACKGROUND: Erythroderma is a rare skin disorder that may be caused by a variety of underlying dermatoses, infections, systemic diseases and drugs. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical, laboratory and biopsy material of 97 patients diagnosed with erythroderma who were treated in our department over a 6-year period (1996 through 2002). RESULTS: The male-female ratio was 1.85:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 46.2 years. The most common causative factors were dermatoses (59.7%), followed by drug reactions (21.6%), malignancies (11.3%) and idiopathic causes (7.2%). Carbamazepine was the most common drug (57.1%). The best clinicopathologic correlation was found in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and pityriasis rubra pilaris related erythroderma. Apart from scaling and erythema that were present in all patients, pruritus was the most common finding (97.5%), followed by fever (33.6%), lymphadenopathy (21.3%), edema (14.4%) and hyperkeratosis (7.2%). CONCLUSION: This study outlines that underlying etiologic factors of erythroderma may show geographic variations. Our series had a high percentage of erythroderma secondary to preexisting dermatoses and a low percentage of idiopathic cases. There was no HIV-infected patient among our series based on multiple serum antibody tests. The clinical features of erythroderma were identical, irrespective of the etiology. The onset of the disease was usually insidious except in drug-induced erythroderma, where it was acute. The group associated with the best prognosis was that related to drugs

Epigenetic activation of a cryptic TBC1D16 transcript enhances melanoma progression by targeting EGFR

Metastasis is respoMetastasis is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, and, among common tumor types, melanoma is one with great potential to metastasize. Here we study the contribution of epigenetic changes to the dissemination process by analyzing the changes that occur at the DNA methylation level between primary cancer cells and metastases. We found a hypomethylation event that reactivates a cryptic transcript of the Rab GTPase activating protein TBC1D16 (TBC1D16-47 kDa; referred to hereafter as TBC1D16-47KD) to be a characteristic feature of the metastatic cascade. This short isoform of TBC1D16 exacerbates melanoma growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. By combining immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we identified RAB5C as a new TBC1D16 target and showed that it regulates EGFR in melanoma cells. We also found that epigenetic reactivation of TBC1D16-47KD is associated with poor clinical outcome in melanoma, while conferring greater sensitivity to BRAF and MEK inhibitors

Hospitalización a domicilio

Hospitalització domiciliària; Revisió sistemàtica; Evidència científicaHospitalización domiciliaria; Revisión sistemática; Evidencia científicaHome hospitalization; Systematic review; Scientific evidenceInforme que evalúa la hospitalización domiciliaria en términos de eficacia y seguridad y analiza la situación de la hospitalización domiciliaria en Cataluña y EspañaInforme que avalua l’hospitalització domiciliària en termes d'eficàcia i seguretat i analitza la situació de l’hospitalització domiciliària a Catalunya i EspanyaReport that evaluates home hospitalization in terms of efficacy and safety and it analyzes the situation of home hospitalization in Catalonia and Spain

Effect of sex in systemic psoriasis therapy: Differences in prescription, effectiveness and safety in the BIOBADADERM prospective cohort

The effect of sex on systemic therapy for psoriasis has not been well studied. The aim of this study was to analyse a large multicentre Spanish cohort of 2,881 patients with psoriasis (58.3% males), followed from January 2008 to November 2018, to determine whether sex influences prescription, effectiveness of therapy, and the risk of adverse events. The results show that women are more likely than men to be pre-scribed biologics. There were no differences between men and women in effectiveness of therapy, measur-ed in terms of drug survival. Women were more likely to develop adverse events, but the difference in risk was small and does not justify different management. Study limitations include residual confounding and the use of drug survival as a proxy for effectiveness.The BIOBADADERM project is promoted by the Fundación Piel Sana Academia Española de Dermatología y Venereología, which receives financial support from the Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency (Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios) and from pharmaceutical companies (Abbott/Abbvie, Pfizer, MSD, Novartis, Lilly, Janssen and Almirall)