The British journal of dermatology
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Multicenter Study
Inpatient management of patients with skin cancer in Germany: an analysis of the nationwide DRG-statistic 2005-2006.
In 2004, Germany introduced a nationwide DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) based recompensation system for hospitals. The aim of this study was to provide nationwide quantitative information about the in-hospital management of skin cancer patients in Germany based on the DRG statistic of the years 2005 through 2006. ⋯ We provide for the first time nationwide quantitative data on the in-hospital management of skin cancer patients. The observed differences in the management of MEL and NMSC most likely reflect differences of the biology, epidemiology and therapeutic modalities of these cancers.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Tolerability of high-dose topical tretinoin: the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial.
Topical tretinoin is a medication commonly used for acne that has potential application in the long-term treatment of photodamaged skin. However, there are few published data regarding the tolerability of high-dose tretinoin with long-term use. ⋯ Overall, the tolerability level of topical tretinoin was high in this study population, with almost 40% of the tretinoin group reporting no side-effects, and the majority (67%) tolerating at least once-daily dosing at 6-month follow-up. High-dose topical tretinoin is feasible for long-term use in this population.
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Multicenter Study
Incidence of bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus in Switzerland: a 2-year prospective study.
Bullous pemphigoid (BP), pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and pemphigus foliaceus (PF) are autoimmune bullous diseases characterized by the presence of tissue-bound and circulating autoantibodies directed against disease-specific target antigens of the skin. Although rare, these diseases run a chronic course and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are few prospective data on gender- and age-specific incidence of these disorders. ⋯ BP showed a mean incidence of 12.1 new cases per million people per year. Its incidence increased significantly after the age of 70 years, with a maximal value after the age of 90 years. The female/male ratio was 1.3. The age-standardized incidence of BP using the European population as reference was, however, lower, with 6.8 new cases per million people per year, reflecting the ageing of the Swiss population. In contrast, both PV and PF were less frequent. Their combined mean incidence was 0.6 new cases per million people per year. CONCLUSIONS; This is the first comprehensive prospective study analysing the incidence of autoimmune bullous diseases in an entire country. Our patient cohort is large enough to establish BP as the most frequent autoimmune bullous disease. Its incidence rate appears higher compared with other previous studies, most likely because of the demographic characteristics of the Swiss population. Nevertheless, based on its potentially misleading presentations, it is possible that the real incidence rate of BP is still underestimated. Based on its significant incidence in the elderly population, BP should deserve more public health concern.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Optimization of photodynamic therapy with a novel self-adhesive 5-aminolaevulinic acid patch: results of two randomized controlled phase III studies.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used for treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) but is a cumbersome procedure. A thin self-adhesive patch (PD P 506 A) containing 5-aminolaevulinic acid (5-ALA) was developed to facilitate PDT. ⋯ PD P 506 A is an innovative, easy-to-handle 5-ALA patch for PDT of mild to moderate AK lesions. Compared with current PDT procedures, pretreatment (e.g. curettage) is not needed and handling is considerably facilitated. A single PDT treatment results in efficacy rates being statistically significantly superior to placebo and cryosurgery.
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Multicenter Study
Audit of dermatological content of U.K. undergraduate curricula.
Recommendations for the dermatology content (learning outcomes) of the core undergraduate curriculum were sent to all U.K. medical schools in June 2006. ⋯ Curricula should be strengthened so that the recommended learning outcomes feature in the core curricula of all medical schools. Teaching leads in all specialties, including those in the community, should communicate so that learning and teaching are integrated horizontally and vertically. The results should provide a baseline for future audits.