The Medical clinics of North America
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Biologic therapy has dramatically changed the way medicine, and specifically dermatology, is practiced today. The use of biologic agents in dermatology is evolving, with psoriasis being the most common indication for which biologics are used currently. ⋯ For example, the cost of 1 year of induction and maintenance treatment of psoriasis in 2014 was estimated to be $53,909 for ustekinumab, $46,395 for etanercept, and $39,041 for adalimumab. Nonetheless, because of their efficacy, the cost of a biologic may be offset by significant reductions in the number of hospital stays, reduction in use of other systemic therapies, and increased satisfaction by patients.32 Thus, understanding their mechanisms of action, labeled and off-label uses in dermatology, and common adverse effects helps to inform clinical decision making and improve patient outcomes.
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Nov 2015
ReviewAtopic Dermatitis: A Common Pediatric Condition and Its Evolution in Adulthood.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and pruritic inflammatory skin disorder that has a relapsing course and can affect any age group. Patients with AD have higher rates of other allergic disorders, mental health disorders, and skin infections. An important feature of AD for practitioners to recognize is that the clinical presentation varies by age from infancy into adulthood. The goals of treatment and management of AD focuses on restoring and maintaining the skin barrier function, minimizing inflammation, breaking the itch-scratch cycle, and treating possible external triggers and secondary infections that may propagate AD.
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Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that confers significant risk of metabolic derangements and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Early detection and treatment of modifiable risk factors and modulation of the systemic inflammatory response are important treatment goals. Studies have shown that there is a significant lack of awareness of the relationship between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease, so future considerations should focus on education of and collaboration with health care providers, especially those in primary care, and development of updated, rigorous screening guidelines. In addition, targeted biologic therapies such as TNF-a inhibitors have shown immense promise in targeting the systemic inflammation associated with psoriatic disease, but whether they will impact long-term cardiovascular outcomes remains to be seen.