Previewing the 9th annual Skin Spectrum Summit
Presentations to cover topics from diagnosis and treatment to access to care, the patient experience, and climate impact on skin health (1,300 words, 6 minutes 30 seconds)
In less than three weeks, on Oct. 21, the 9th annual Skin Spectrum Summit will be held at the Chestnut Conference Centre at the University of Toronto.
The conference offers a full day of education on optimal dermatologic care for patients with skin of colour, for health care providers with an interest in skin health.
Here is a preview of some of the presentations on this year’s agenda:
Laser Treatments in Patients with Richly Pigmented Skin, presented by Dr. Jonathan Shapero. Toronto-based Dr. Shapero is the vice president of the Canadian Laser and Aesthetics Specialists Society and is the moderator for the Laser Safety Course for the Canadian Laser and Aesthetics Specialists Society. Due to his commitment to the advancement of dermatology in skin of colour, Dr. Shapero and his father Dr. Harvey Shapero were invited to join the Caribbean Dermatology Association, where they are the only non-Caribbean dermatologists who are members.
New Treatment Advances in Pediatric Dermatology, presented by Dr. Danielle Marcoux. Dr. Marcoux is a clinical professor at the University of Montreal and Sainte-Justine University Medical Centre, Department of Pediatrics, Dermatology division and has authored more than 100 scientific publications in her fields -of interest. She has previously been President of the Canadian Dermatology Association and the Montreal Dermatology Society. Dr. Marcoux is also founder-president of the Camp Liberté Society, which runs a summer camp for Canadian children with skin diseases, which, in 2023, is in its 15th year.
Skin Conditions in the Indigenous Populations, presented by Dr. Rachel Asiniwasis. Dr. Asiniwasis is a dermatologist and clinician researcher based in Regina. She is the founder of Origins Dermatology Centre, a combined multidisciplinary model that services both the general population and provides in-person and virtual outreach clinics for underserved remote and rural Indigenous (First Nations and Metis) communities. Rachel is of Plains Cree, Saulteaux and English background.
Barriers to Dermatology Care in Rural, Remote, and Indigenous Communities, presented by Eric McMullen. McMullen is a final-year McMaster medical student and a member of the Métis Nation of Ontario. His clinical interests include Indigenous dermatology, teledermatology, and rural care.
In addition to these and other presentations, the conference will include three live panel discussions, a “Lunch and Learn” session and the announcement of the Canadian Skin of Colour & Diversity Scholarship awardees.
Registration for the 2023 Skin Spectrum Summit is open at this link:
Reviewing current literature on dermatology in skin of colour
The burden of gout in acne keloidalis nuchae-Insights from a population-based study
In this population-based, retrospective study, researchers followed 2,677 patients with acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN) and 13,190 age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls, and compared the incidence of new-onset gout.
The researchers found gout incidence rates of 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.68-1.76) and 0.48 (95% CI, 0.34-0.66) per 1,000 person-years among patients with AKN and controls, respectively.
The crude risk of developing gout was significantly higher in patients with AKN (hazard ratio (HR), 2.27; 95% CI, 1.26-4.10; p=0.007). After the researchers controlled for age, sex, and ethnicity, AKN emerged as an independent risk factor of gout (adjusted HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.29-4.22; p=0.005). When adjusting for other confounders such as body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, the risk of gout in AKN fell out of significance (adjusted HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.73-2.65; p=0.311).
Assessing resident understanding of common pediatric rashes in skin of colour pts
The authors of this paper note there is a lack of skin of colour (SOC) education and exposure in pediatric dermatologic training, and this lack contributes to health inequities.
Investigators surveyed pediatric or medicine-pediatric residents at three institutions in Michigan both before and after an educational lecture. The lecture covered a variety of topics including a basic skin layer review, an overview of melanin biology, an understanding of Fitzpatrick skin types, defining SOC, and common pediatric rashes on SOC with brief overviews and multiple images.
Data from the surveys showed an increase in resident comfort in diagnosing pediatric rashes in SOC after the lecture intervention.
Clinical evaluation and experience in treatments performed with fractional CO2 laser on Latin American skin: An observational retrospective study
Researchers evaluated the efficacy and safety of CO2 laser treatments of skin pathologies in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III through VI. A total of 705 patients with ages ranging between 18 and 70 years were enrolled from Oct. 2021 to May 2022.
Among the participants, 96 were treated for skin rejuvenation and stretch marks. Of those, one patient presented reactivation of herpes simplex, 10 had post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that resolved after three months with depigmenting agents, and six had persistent erythema.
A total of 13 patients with rhinophyma were treated, and no complications were observed.
Sixty-four patients were treated for wrinkles and all experienced improvement in six months.
A total of 340 patients were treated for seborrheic keratosis, papulosa nigra dermatosis, fibropapillomas, sebaceous hyperplasias, verruca vulgaris, and condylomata acuminata. In this group, one patient experienced a hypopigmented macule as a complication.
Some 136 patients underwent treatment for laser ablation of intradermal nevi and verrucous epidermal nevi, without complications.
Another 56 patients were treated with keloids and hypertrophic scars. One patient presented with ulceration of a keloid that resolved with the application of clostridiopeptidase A and chloramphenicol after two weeks.
The authors conclude that the use of CO2 laser in any phototype and race provides a safe and effective result for different dermatologic pathologies.
Atopic dermatitis across shades of skin
This narrative review discusses key terminology as it relates to atopic dermatitis (AD) across shades of skin, including modern definitions of 'race', 'ethnicity', and 'SOC'. The authors synthesize the current literature describing disparities in AD prevalence, disease recognition, and burden alongside current data regarding genetic and immunologic findings across SOC populations. They highlight key concomitant social determinants of health, including environmental factors, socioeconomic status, and access to care.
The authors also discuss future efforts to shift to a more inclusive understanding of AD to encompass all shades of skin, to ensure equitable representation of diverse populations in high-impact research, and to intensify efforts to address the critical upstream factors driving observed disparities.
VIDEO: Recognizing skin disease in skin of colour (and why we don't)
Dr. Christina Boull, Assistant Professor, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of Minnesota
At the intersection of skin and society
On Friday, Sept. 22, the City of Edmonton unveiled the first Indigenous ceremony site in an urban setting in Canada, The Edmonton Journal reports.
Known as Kihcihkaw askî-Sacred Land, the site is a joint project between the city and the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre in Whitemud Park. It will provide a river valley setting to host ceremonies, sweat lodges, and other events.
“It is an honour to have the first urban Indigenous ceremony site in Canada located in Treaty No. 6,” Grand Chief Leonard Standingontheroad said in a news release. “I hope all Indigenous Peoples use the site to connect to their homelands and own traditions.”
According to the news outlet, the city said the $6.51-million project, which began construction in 2021, included “naturalization of the site and building infrastructure to support programming and cultural activities,” which will be led by the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre.
The site includes a circular area for up to eight sweat lodges and two permanent fire enclosures to heat the stones for sweat lodge ceremonies, as well as a pavilion that includes washrooms and locker rooms, plus a storage building with an outdoor amphitheatre.
The facility will be managed and operated by the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre.
This week
Oct. 2-8 is National Hygiene Week in the U.K.
Oct. 2 is International Day of Non-Violence
Oct. 2-7 is National Primary Care Week in the U.S.
Something to think about in the week ahead. . .
—Michel de Montaigne, French philosopher, [1533-1592]
Next week
Skin Spectrum Weekly is taking next week off for Canadian Thanksgiving, but will return Oct. 16 with more previews of the 9th annual Skin Spectrum Summit.
Upcoming meetings
The Great Lakes ImmunoDermatology Exchange (GLIDE) 5.0 meeting will be held at the Queen’s Landing Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. from Oct. 27-28, 2023. This meeting focuses on new concepts, therapeutic options, and real-world practice issues in immunodermatology.
If you like Skin Spectrum Weekly, why not check out Chronicle’s other publications, podcasts, and portal?
Established in 1995, The Chronicle of Skin & Allergy is a scientific newspaper print providing news and information on practical therapeutics and clinical progress in dermatologic medicine. The latest issue features:
Drs. Lisa Kellett (Toronto), Michal Martinka (Calgary), and Jaggi Rao (Edmonton) discuss strategies for optimizing the management of rosacea.
In a therapeutic update, Drs. Marcie Ulmer (Vancouver), Jen Lipson (Ottawa), and Sonya Cook (Toronto), detail current and upcoming advances in acne treatments.
An essay from Dr. Nickoo Merati (Montreal) submitted to the 2022 Dermatology Industry Taskforce on Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (DiTiDE) short essay contest. Dr. Merati wrote about the importance of people with skin of colour to “see” their community members represented at decision-making tables to rise to their full potential. The essay also touches on efforts by Canadian medical students to improve the representation of skin of colour in dermatology education materials.
Plus regular features, including the popular column “Vender on Psoriasis” by Hamilton, Ont. dermatologist Dr. Ron Vender
Read a recent digital edition of The Chronicle of Skin & Allergy here. To apply for a complimentary* subscription or to receive a sample copy, please email health@chronicle.org with your contact information.
The Women in Dermatology e-newsletter updates new findings concerning dermatologic issues that affect women and the female dermatologists who care for them. Read the current issue here.
Season two of the Yadav on Acne podcast with Dr. Geeta Yadav has launched. Listen to the new season here. In episode one, Dr. Yadav comments on recent research into managing moderate-to-severe acne using isotretinoin.
Season three of the Vender on Psoriasis podcast, hosted by Dr. Ron Vender, is right around the corner. Watch this space for links for the first episode of the new season.
And if you’re looking for a web destination for all things derm, visit derm.city, “Where Dermatology Lives.” Please like, rate, review, and share it with your colleagues.