BACKGROUND Pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis (SD) involves lipid secretion by sebaceous glands, Malassezia colonization and an inflammatory response with skin barrier disruption. Each of these pathways could be modulated by diet, obesity, and nutritional supplements. Current treatment options provide only temporary control of the condition; thus, it is essential to recognize modifiable lifestyle factors that may play a role in determining disease severity. OBJECTIVE To summarize published evidence on diet, nutritional supplements, alcohol, obesity, and micronutrients in SD patients and to provide useful insights into areas of further research. METHODS A literature search of Scopus, PubMed, and Medline (OVID interface) for English language articles published between 1993-2023 was conducted on 16th April 2023. Case-control studies, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials with 5 or more subjects conducted on adult participants (>14 years) were included, case reports, case series and review papers were excluded. RESULTS 13 studies, eight case-control, three cross-sectional and two randomized control trials, involving 13,906 patients were included. SD patients had significantly increased copper, manganese, iron, calcium, and magnesium concentrations and significantly lower serum zinc and vitamin D and E concentrations compared to controls. Adherence to the Western Diet was associated with a higher risk for SD in female patients and an increased consumption of fruit was associated with a lower risk of SD in all patients. The prebiotic Triphala improved patient satisfaction and decreased scalp sebum levels over eight weeks. Most studies find associations between regular alcohol use and SD but the association with BMI and obesity on SD severity and prevalence is mixed. CONCLUSIONS This review sheds light on specific promising areas of research that require further study, including the need for interventional studies evaluating serum zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin E supplementation for SD. The negative consequences of a western diet, alcohol use, and obesity, and the benefits of fruit consumption are well known; however, to fully understand their specific relationships to SD, further cohort or interventional studies are needed. CLINICALTRIAL This protocol was registered and can be accessed at Prospero with the registration number CRD42023417768.
BACKGROUND Professional associations offer important opportunities for networking, research collaboration, and career advancement. Given the importance of membership, our group evaluated membership diversity within one of the first dermatologic societies in The United States. Membership acquisition occurs through an invitation-only basis without formal criteria available. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify if there are differences in member representation within sex and geographic distribution of The American Dermatological Society. METHODS On February 2023 the ADA directory identified 767 members. Independent reviewers (2) recorded member names, self-identified sex, city, and state listed on their national practitioner identifier (NPI) and those who were deceased; a third reviewer resolved data conflicts. Sex was identified on NPI databases. Data was omitted for retired, deceased, or unidentified members. The “R” software performed the statistical analysis and the package “usmap” created figures. Data was publicly available, de-identified, and did not require IRB review. RESULTS ADA members (691) were 32.85% female and 67.15% male. Members practiced in the United States (84.08%) and internationally (15.92%); international members were 25.23% female and 74.77% male. Two states among 41 represented had a similar number male and female members. (Figure 1.) The top 5 states represented 42.51% of members; California had 13.60% followed by New York (10.33%), Massachusetts (6.54%), Pennsylvania (6.37%), and Florida (5.68%). CONCLUSIONS Improving gender, sex, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity is a recognized marker of excellence by dermatologic societies1 and the ADA must recognize, discuss, and develop solutions to improve representation among its members. Membership was most common among urban centers with 5 states comprising almost half of membership. Ethnic/racial minority status is not expected to be significant due to the underlying ethnic/racial underrepresentation in dermatology as a specialty.
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