Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease. The HS core outcome set calls for a patient global assessment (PtGA). Objectives To assess the validity, reliability and responsiveness of a candidate single‐item PtGA for HS‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods Cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted with patients with HS in Denmark and the USA. A cross‐sectional observational study was done with adults with HS in the USA and Denmark. Candidate PtGA item, demographic items and multiple patient‐reported scales – the Hidradenitis Suppurativa Quality of Life (HiSQOL), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain – were concurrently administered to evaluate convergent and known‐groups validity. Scales with a single‐item assessment of change were readministered 24–72 h later, to evaluate reliability and responsiveness. Results After cognitive debriefing, the candidate PtGA for HS‐specific HRQoL was finalized with five response levels. Convergent validity of the PtGA was supported by significant correlations with HiSQOL score [r = 0·79, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·75–0·82] and DLQI (r = 0·78, 95% CI 0·74–0·82). The PtGA displayed known‐groups validity with DLQI score bands based on significance of an anova (P < 0·001). Good test–retest reliability was supported by the intraclass correlation coefficient (0·82, 95% CI 0·78–0·85) for those who reported stable HS. Responsiveness was assessed by differences in PtGA score against a patient‐reported assessment of change, which showed significant differences towards improvement. Conclusions The single‐item PtGA exhibits reliability, validity and responsiveness in assessing HS‐specific HRQoL in HS, making it a good provisional tool for HS clinical research.

Although ethnic diversity is rising in the United States, educational resources continue to lag behind, as evidenced by prior studies highlighting limited skin of color representation in dermatology resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the representation of skin tones in three dermatology journals commonly used in resident education and journal clubs. Overall, 5.6% (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology), 4.1% (JAMA Dermatology), and 8.3% (Pediatric Dermatology) of images in the journals were depicted on "Dark" skin (Fitzpatrick V-VI). Disparities in skin of color representation exist in three dermatology journals used in medical education in the United States.

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Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) can exist in the setting of other dermatologic conditions. It is known that the treatment of these conditions can cause ACD, increasing both diagnostic and treatment difficulty.Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of common dermatologic conditions in the setting of ACD and in specific patient populations.Methods: A retrospective database study was completed using Truven Health to collect information on patch-tested ACD patients. Demographics and diagnostic information were retrieved. Of those with ACD, the presence of 15 dermatologic diagnoses was investigated. Subanalyses were conducted for each condition, including International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision code specificity, demographics, and diagnostic information.Results: A total of 6380 patients (76.83% female) were given a diagnosis of ACD via patch testing. Of those with concomitant disease, those most common include atopic dermatitis (23.98%), urticaria (16.69%), and acne (11.51%). Eight of the concomitant conditions were found to have statistical significance in comparing the average age of ACD diagnosis with the selected diagnoses (a = 0.05).Conclusions: Common dermatologic diseases can exist concomitantly with ACD, many of which can be treated by compounds that precipitate or worsen preexisting ACD. The average age of the diagnosis varies from concomitant diagnoses, which can contribute to difficulty in ACD diagnosis and treatment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted many traditional patient care delivery models. To help meet patient needs, the Penn State Health Department of Family and Community Medicine started a medical student-run Vulnerable Patient Outreach Program (VPOP). This program pairs medical students with providers to address healthcare needs for the most vulnerable patients. At the program outset, a total of 125 patients were identified and 64 agreed to participate. All patients were over the age of 65 and had multiple medical comorbidities. This study reviews the impact of VPOP on the care of 34 participants. Each participant completed pre-structured satisfaction surveys over the phone. The results indicate a high degree (94%) of patient satisfaction. Patients were particularly comfortable communicating their health needs to medical students and specifically highlighted medical student professionalism. Medical students also found this program to be beneficial, citing an ability to help during pandemic times in a clinically meaningful way. The highly positive reactions from both patients and medical students suggest that outreach programs, like this one, are one way to meet the needs of vulnerable patients. These findings also suggest that, as a longitudinal experience beyond COVID-19, medical students may benefit from participation in vulnerable patient outreach programs.