MDedge Dermatology

AURORA, COLO. – How often do you talk with patients about how to lower their out-of-pocket costs for medical care?

For most clinicians, the answer is: not often enough. But having those conversations can improve medication adherence and strengthen the patient-clinician relationship, according to panelists at the annual meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine.

The inverse association between out-of-pocket expenditures and fidelity to prescriptions is clear. A 2020 study by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, for example, found that rates of prescription abandonment are less than 5% when a given medication carries no out-of-pocket cost for patients. That figure rises to 45% when the cost is more than $125, and to 60% when it exceeds $500. One in five Americans said cost prevented them from adhering to medication regimens, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers surveyed more than 2,000 men and women, 40.4% of whom were aged 75 or older. They found that nearly 90% of respondents said they would not be uncomfortable being asked about drug costs before a visit with a physician. A similar share (89.5%) said they would welcome the use by their physician of a real-time tool to determine the cost of their medication.

But the survey results contained a note of warning for clinicians: A significant number of respondents said they would be “extremely” upset if the cost of their medication exceeded the estimate from the pricing tool. And many also said they would be “moderately” or “extremely” angry if their physician used a pricing tool but failed to share the results with them.

“Real-time benefit tools may support medication cost conversations and cost-conscious prescribing, and patients are enthusiastic about their use,” the authors write. “However, if disclosed prices are inaccurate, there is potential for harm through loss of confidence in the physician and nonadherence to prescribed medications.”

While having conversations about cost can be difficult for both clinicians and patients, studies have shown that patients who discuss cost concerns with their doctors feel as if they have stronger relationships as a result.

Clinicians often avoid conversations about out-of-pocket expenses because they don’t know specific price information, they lack solutions to address cost, or they are uncomfortable bringing up the issue.

One member of the audience at the SGIM meeting recalled a patient who worked in a warehouse for a large company. The man, who had type 2 diabetes, had medical insurance, but even with insurance, insulin was going to cost him $150 per month. He struggled to afford the necessary treatment.

“He looked at me and said, ‘What do they want me to do? Do they want me to actually not be able to work for them and not manage my diabetes?’ ”

The clinician said he offered empathy in the moment but felt he could do little else.

Panelists acknowledged that clinicians are crunched on time when seeing patients, but being willing to initiate conversations about cost with patients and to offer resources can help patients get necessary treatment.
 

Start the conversation

Panel member Caroline Sloan, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke University, Durham, N.C., said making patients aware that you know cost can make a big difference.

The American College of Physicians advises clinicians to ask patients whether they are worried about the cost of care and to not assume which patients may have concerns.

The conversation could be started like this: “I’d like to discuss any concerns you might have about the cost of your health care.”

Normalize the concern by making it more general, and reassure your patient that your goal is to get them the best care. Say something like, “I’ve heard from many patients the cost of medications or tests is becoming hard to manage.”

Once a patient’s concerns are clear, you can direct them to resources for assistance in reducing their costs, Dr. Sloan said, such as ClearHealthCosts, FAIR Health, Healthcare Bluebook, New Choice Health, GoodRx, PharmacyChecker, HealthWell Foundation, Patient Advocate Foundation, Good Days, Good Health Will, Mercy Medical Angels, and the American Association of Family Physicians Neighborhood Navigator.

Dr. Sloan said she knows clinicians don’t have time to understand every insurance plan and other issues related to cost. “But at least know to ask about costs,” she said. “Practice, practice, practice. It feels awkward at first, but it gets easier every time.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

AURORA, COLO. – How often do you talk with patients about how to lower their out-of-pocket costs for medical care?

For most clinicians, the answer is: not often enough. But having those conversations can improve medication adherence and strengthen the patient-clinician relationship, according to panelists at the annual meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine.

The inverse association between out-of-pocket expenditures and fidelity to prescriptions is clear. A 2020 study by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, for example, found that rates of prescription abandonment are less than 5% when a given medication carries no out-of-pocket cost for patients. That figure rises to 45% when the cost is more than $125, and to 60% when it exceeds $500. One in five Americans said cost prevented them from adhering to medication regimens, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers surveyed more than 2,000 men and women, 40.4% of whom were aged 75 or older. They found that nearly 90% of respondents said they would not be uncomfortable being asked about drug costs before a visit with a physician. A similar share (89.5%) said they would welcome the use by their physician of a real-time tool to determine the cost of their medication.

But the survey results contained a note of warning for clinicians: A significant number of respondents said they would be “extremely” upset if the cost of their medication exceeded the estimate from the pricing tool. And many also said they would be “moderately” or “extremely” angry if their physician used a pricing tool but failed to share the results with them.

“Real-time benefit tools may support medication cost conversations and cost-conscious prescribing, and patients are enthusiastic about their use,” the authors write. “However, if disclosed prices are inaccurate, there is potential for harm through loss of confidence in the physician and nonadherence to prescribed medications.”

While having conversations about cost can be difficult for both clinicians and patients, studies have shown that patients who discuss cost concerns with their doctors feel as if they have stronger relationships as a result.

Clinicians often avoid conversations about out-of-pocket expenses because they don’t know specific price information, they lack solutions to address cost, or they are uncomfortable bringing up the issue.

One member of the audience at the SGIM meeting recalled a patient who worked in a warehouse for a large company. The man, who had type 2 diabetes, had medical insurance, but even with insurance, insulin was going to cost him $150 per month. He struggled to afford the necessary treatment.

“He looked at me and said, ‘What do they want me to do? Do they want me to actually not be able to work for them and not manage my diabetes?’ ”

The clinician said he offered empathy in the moment but felt he could do little else.

Panelists acknowledged that clinicians are crunched on time when seeing patients, but being willing to initiate conversations about cost with patients and to offer resources can help patients get necessary treatment.
 

Start the conversation

Panel member Caroline Sloan, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke University, Durham, N.C., said making patients aware that you know cost can make a big difference.

The American College of Physicians advises clinicians to ask patients whether they are worried about the cost of care and to not assume which patients may have concerns.

The conversation could be started like this: “I’d like to discuss any concerns you might have about the cost of your health care.”

Normalize the concern by making it more general, and reassure your patient that your goal is to get them the best care. Say something like, “I’ve heard from many patients the cost of medications or tests is becoming hard to manage.”

Once a patient’s concerns are clear, you can direct them to resources for assistance in reducing their costs, Dr. Sloan said, such as ClearHealthCosts, FAIR Health, Healthcare Bluebook, New Choice Health, GoodRx, PharmacyChecker, HealthWell Foundation, Patient Advocate Foundation, Good Days, Good Health Will, Mercy Medical Angels, and the American Association of Family Physicians Neighborhood Navigator.

Dr. Sloan said she knows clinicians don’t have time to understand every insurance plan and other issues related to cost. “But at least know to ask about costs,” she said. “Practice, practice, practice. It feels awkward at first, but it gets easier every time.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

AURORA, COLO. – How often do you talk with patients about how to lower their out-of-pocket costs for medical care?

For most clinicians, the answer is: not often enough. But having those conversations can improve medication adherence and strengthen the patient-clinician relationship, according to panelists at the annual meeting of the Society of General Internal Medicine.

The inverse association between out-of-pocket expenditures and fidelity to prescriptions is clear. A 2020 study by the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, for example, found that rates of prescription abandonment are less than 5% when a given medication carries no out-of-pocket cost for patients. That figure rises to 45% when the cost is more than $125, and to 60% when it exceeds $500. One in five Americans said cost prevented them from adhering to medication regimens, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open.

The researchers surveyed more than 2,000 men and women, 40.4% of whom were aged 75 or older. They found that nearly 90% of respondents said they would not be uncomfortable being asked about drug costs before a visit with a physician. A similar share (89.5%) said they would welcome the use by their physician of a real-time tool to determine the cost of their medication.

But the survey results contained a note of warning for clinicians: A significant number of respondents said they would be “extremely” upset if the cost of their medication exceeded the estimate from the pricing tool. And many also said they would be “moderately” or “extremely” angry if their physician used a pricing tool but failed to share the results with them.

“Real-time benefit tools may support medication cost conversations and cost-conscious prescribing, and patients are enthusiastic about their use,” the authors write. “However, if disclosed prices are inaccurate, there is potential for harm through loss of confidence in the physician and nonadherence to prescribed medications.”

While having conversations about cost can be difficult for both clinicians and patients, studies have shown that patients who discuss cost concerns with their doctors feel as if they have stronger relationships as a result.

Clinicians often avoid conversations about out-of-pocket expenses because they don’t know specific price information, they lack solutions to address cost, or they are uncomfortable bringing up the issue.

One member of the audience at the SGIM meeting recalled a patient who worked in a warehouse for a large company. The man, who had type 2 diabetes, had medical insurance, but even with insurance, insulin was going to cost him $150 per month. He struggled to afford the necessary treatment.

“He looked at me and said, ‘What do they want me to do? Do they want me to actually not be able to work for them and not manage my diabetes?’ ”

The clinician said he offered empathy in the moment but felt he could do little else.

Panelists acknowledged that clinicians are crunched on time when seeing patients, but being willing to initiate conversations about cost with patients and to offer resources can help patients get necessary treatment.
 

Start the conversation

Panel member Caroline Sloan, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Duke University, Durham, N.C., said making patients aware that you know cost can make a big difference.

The American College of Physicians advises clinicians to ask patients whether they are worried about the cost of care and to not assume which patients may have concerns.

The conversation could be started like this: “I’d like to discuss any concerns you might have about the cost of your health care.”

Normalize the concern by making it more general, and reassure your patient that your goal is to get them the best care. Say something like, “I’ve heard from many patients the cost of medications or tests is becoming hard to manage.”

Once a patient’s concerns are clear, you can direct them to resources for assistance in reducing their costs, Dr. Sloan said, such as ClearHealthCosts, FAIR Health, Healthcare Bluebook, New Choice Health, GoodRx, PharmacyChecker, HealthWell Foundation, Patient Advocate Foundation, Good Days, Good Health Will, Mercy Medical Angels, and the American Association of Family Physicians Neighborhood Navigator.

Dr. Sloan said she knows clinicians don’t have time to understand every insurance plan and other issues related to cost. “But at least know to ask about costs,” she said. “Practice, practice, practice. It feels awkward at first, but it gets easier every time.”

A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.

Tuesdays and Fridays are tough. Not so much because of clinic, but rather because of the 32 minutes before clinic that I’m on the Peloton bike. They are the mornings I dedicate to training VO_2max. 

Training VO_2max, or maximal oxygen consumption, is simple. Spin for a leisurely, easy-breathing, 4 minutes, then for 4 minutes push yourself until you see the light of heaven and wish for death to come. Then relax for 4 minutes again. Repeat this cycle four to six times. Done justly, you will dread Tuesdays and Fridays too. The punishing cycle of a 4-minute push, then 4-minute recovery is, however, an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness. And no, I’m not training for the Boston Marathon, so why am I working so hard? Because I’m training for marathon clinic days for the next 20 years.

Now more than ever, I feel we have to be physically fit to deal with a physicians’ day’s work. By the time the last patient leaves, I’m beat. From the first bell, patients are packed in, our in boxes are overflowing with messages, pathology results are piling up. It’s exhausting. The root cause is too much work, yes, but I believe being physically fit could help. 

I was talking to an 86-year-old patient about this very topic recently. He was short, with a well-manicured goatee and shiny head. He stuck his arm out to shake my hand. “Glad we’re back to handshakes again, doc.” His grip was that of a 30-year-old. “Buff” you’d likely describe him: He is noticeably muscular, not a skinny old man. He’s an old Navy Master Chief who started a business in wholesale flowers, which distributes all over the United States. And he’s still working full time. Impressed, I asked his secret for such vigor. PT, he replied. 

PT, or physical training, is a foundational element of the Navy. Every sailor starts his or her day with morning PT before carrying out their duties. Some 30 years later, this guy is still getting after it. He does push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups nearly every morning. Morning PT is what he attributes to his success not only in health, but also business. As he sees it, he has the business savvy and experience of an old guy and the energy and stamina of a college kid. A good combination for a successful life.

I’ve always been pretty fit. Lately, I’ve been trying to take it to the next level, to not just be “physically active,” but rather “high-performance fit.” There are plenty of sources for instruction; how to stay young and healthy isn’t a new idea after all. I mean, Herodotus wrote of finding the Fountain of Youth in the 5th century BCE. A couple thousand years later, it’s still on trend. One of my favorite sages giving health span advice is Peter Attia, MD. I’ve been a fan since I met him at TEDMED in 2013 and I marvel at the astounding body of work he has created since. A Johns Hopkins–trained surgeon, he has spent his career reviewing the scientific literature about longevity and sharing it as actionable content. His book, “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” (New York: Penguin Random House, 2023) is a nice summary of his work. I recommend it. 

Right now I’m switching between type 2 muscle fiber work (lots of jumping like my 2-year-old) and cardiovascular training including the aforementioned VO_2max work. I cannot say that my patient inbox is any cleaner, or that I’m faster in the office, but I’m not flagging by the end of the day anymore. Master Chief challenged me to match his 10 pull-ups before he returns for his follow up visit. I’ll gladly give up Peloton sprints to work on that.

Dr. Benabio is director of Healthcare Transformation and chief of dermatology at Kaiser Permanente San Diego. The opinions expressed in this column are his own and do not represent those of Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Benabio is @Dermdoc on Twitter. Write to him at [email protected].

Tuesdays and Fridays are tough. Not so much because of clinic, but rather because of the 32 minutes before clinic that I’m on the Peloton bike. They are the mornings I dedicate to training VO_2max. 

Training VO_2max, or maximal oxygen consumption, is simple. Spin for a leisurely, easy-breathing, 4 minutes, then for 4 minutes push yourself until you see the light of heaven and wish for death to come. Then relax for 4 minutes again. Repeat this cycle four to six times. Done justly, you will dread Tuesdays and Fridays too. The punishing cycle of a 4-minute push, then 4-minute recovery is, however, an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness. And no, I’m not training for the Boston Marathon, so why am I working so hard? Because I’m training for marathon clinic days for the next 20 years.

Now more than ever, I feel we have to be physically fit to deal with a physicians’ day’s work. By the time the last patient leaves, I’m beat. From the first bell, patients are packed in, our in boxes are overflowing with messages, pathology results are piling up. It’s exhausting. The root cause is too much work, yes, but I believe being physically fit could help. 

I was talking to an 86-year-old patient about this very topic recently. He was short, with a well-manicured goatee and shiny head. He stuck his arm out to shake my hand. “Glad we’re back to handshakes again, doc.” His grip was that of a 30-year-old. “Buff” you’d likely describe him: He is noticeably muscular, not a skinny old man. He’s an old Navy Master Chief who started a business in wholesale flowers, which distributes all over the United States. And he’s still working full time. Impressed, I asked his secret for such vigor. PT, he replied. 

PT, or physical training, is a foundational element of the Navy. Every sailor starts his or her day with morning PT before carrying out their duties. Some 30 years later, this guy is still getting after it. He does push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups nearly every morning. Morning PT is what he attributes to his success not only in health, but also business. As he sees it, he has the business savvy and experience of an old guy and the energy and stamina of a college kid. A good combination for a successful life.

I’ve always been pretty fit. Lately, I’ve been trying to take it to the next level, to not just be “physically active,” but rather “high-performance fit.” There are plenty of sources for instruction; how to stay young and healthy isn’t a new idea after all. I mean, Herodotus wrote of finding the Fountain of Youth in the 5th century BCE. A couple thousand years later, it’s still on trend. One of my favorite sages giving health span advice is Peter Attia, MD. I’ve been a fan since I met him at TEDMED in 2013 and I marvel at the astounding body of work he has created since. A Johns Hopkins–trained surgeon, he has spent his career reviewing the scientific literature about longevity and sharing it as actionable content. His book, “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” (New York: Penguin Random House, 2023) is a nice summary of his work. I recommend it. 

Right now I’m switching between type 2 muscle fiber work (lots of jumping like my 2-year-old) and cardiovascular training including the aforementioned VO_2max work. I cannot say that my patient inbox is any cleaner, or that I’m faster in the office, but I’m not flagging by the end of the day anymore. Master Chief challenged me to match his 10 pull-ups before he returns for his follow up visit. I’ll gladly give up Peloton sprints to work on that.

Dr. Benabio is director of Healthcare Transformation and chief of dermatology at Kaiser Permanente San Diego. The opinions expressed in this column are his own and do not represent those of Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Benabio is @Dermdoc on Twitter. Write to him at [email protected].

Tuesdays and Fridays are tough. Not so much because of clinic, but rather because of the 32 minutes before clinic that I’m on the Peloton bike. They are the mornings I dedicate to training VO_2max. 

Training VO_2max, or maximal oxygen consumption, is simple. Spin for a leisurely, easy-breathing, 4 minutes, then for 4 minutes push yourself until you see the light of heaven and wish for death to come. Then relax for 4 minutes again. Repeat this cycle four to six times. Done justly, you will dread Tuesdays and Fridays too. The punishing cycle of a 4-minute push, then 4-minute recovery is, however, an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness. And no, I’m not training for the Boston Marathon, so why am I working so hard? Because I’m training for marathon clinic days for the next 20 years.

Now more than ever, I feel we have to be physically fit to deal with a physicians’ day’s work. By the time the last patient leaves, I’m beat. From the first bell, patients are packed in, our in boxes are overflowing with messages, pathology results are piling up. It’s exhausting. The root cause is too much work, yes, but I believe being physically fit could help. 

I was talking to an 86-year-old patient about this very topic recently. He was short, with a well-manicured goatee and shiny head. He stuck his arm out to shake my hand. “Glad we’re back to handshakes again, doc.” His grip was that of a 30-year-old. “Buff” you’d likely describe him: He is noticeably muscular, not a skinny old man. He’s an old Navy Master Chief who started a business in wholesale flowers, which distributes all over the United States. And he’s still working full time. Impressed, I asked his secret for such vigor. PT, he replied. 

PT, or physical training, is a foundational element of the Navy. Every sailor starts his or her day with morning PT before carrying out their duties. Some 30 years later, this guy is still getting after it. He does push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups nearly every morning. Morning PT is what he attributes to his success not only in health, but also business. As he sees it, he has the business savvy and experience of an old guy and the energy and stamina of a college kid. A good combination for a successful life.

I’ve always been pretty fit. Lately, I’ve been trying to take it to the next level, to not just be “physically active,” but rather “high-performance fit.” There are plenty of sources for instruction; how to stay young and healthy isn’t a new idea after all. I mean, Herodotus wrote of finding the Fountain of Youth in the 5th century BCE. A couple thousand years later, it’s still on trend. One of my favorite sages giving health span advice is Peter Attia, MD. I’ve been a fan since I met him at TEDMED in 2013 and I marvel at the astounding body of work he has created since. A Johns Hopkins–trained surgeon, he has spent his career reviewing the scientific literature about longevity and sharing it as actionable content. His book, “Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity” (New York: Penguin Random House, 2023) is a nice summary of his work. I recommend it. 

Right now I’m switching between type 2 muscle fiber work (lots of jumping like my 2-year-old) and cardiovascular training including the aforementioned VO_2max work. I cannot say that my patient inbox is any cleaner, or that I’m faster in the office, but I’m not flagging by the end of the day anymore. Master Chief challenged me to match his 10 pull-ups before he returns for his follow up visit. I’ll gladly give up Peloton sprints to work on that.

Dr. Benabio is director of Healthcare Transformation and chief of dermatology at Kaiser Permanente San Diego. The opinions expressed in this column are his own and do not represent those of Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Benabio is @Dermdoc on Twitter. Write to him at [email protected].

A new study urges people to continue wearing protective masks in medical settings, even though the U.S. public health emergency declaration around COVID-19 has expired.

Masks continue to lower the risk of catching the virus during medical visits, according to the study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine. And there was not much difference between wearing surgical masks and N95 respirators in health care settings.

The researchers reviewed 3 randomized trials and 21 observational studies to compare the effectiveness of those and cloth masks in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

“Masking in interactions between patients and health care personnel should continue to receive serious consideration as a patient safety measure,” Tara N. Palmore, MD, of George Washington University, Washington, and David K. Henderson, MD, of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., wrote in an opinion article accompanying the study.

“In our enthusiasm to return to the appearance and feeling of normalcy, and as institutions decide which mitigation strategies to discontinue, we strongly advocate not discarding this important lesson learned for the sake of our patients’ safety,” Dr. Palmore and Dr. Henderson wrote.

Surgical masks limit the spread of aerosols and droplets from people who have the flu, coronaviruses or other respiratory viruses, CNN reported. And while masks are not 100% effective, they substantially lower the amount of virus put into the air via coughing and talking.

The study said one reason people should wear masks to medical settings is because “health care personnel are notorious for coming to work while ill.” Transmission from patient to staff and staff to patient is still possible, but rare, when both are masked.

The review authors reported no conflicts of interest. Dr. Palmore has received grants from the NIH, Rigel, Gilead, and AbbVie, and Dr. Henderson is a past president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.

A new study urges people to continue wearing protective masks in medical settings, even though the U.S. public health emergency declaration around COVID-19 has expired.

Masks continue to lower the risk of catching the virus during medical visits, according to the study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine. And there was not much difference between wearing surgical masks and N95 respirators in health care settings.

The researchers reviewed 3 randomized trials and 21 observational studies to compare the effectiveness of those and cloth masks in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

“Masking in interactions between patients and health care personnel should continue to receive serious consideration as a patient safety measure,” Tara N. Palmore, MD, of George Washington University, Washington, and David K. Henderson, MD, of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., wrote in an opinion article accompanying the study.

“In our enthusiasm to return to the appearance and feeling of normalcy, and as institutions decide which mitigation strategies to discontinue, we strongly advocate not discarding this important lesson learned for the sake of our patients’ safety,” Dr. Palmore and Dr. Henderson wrote.

Surgical masks limit the spread of aerosols and droplets from people who have the flu, coronaviruses or other respiratory viruses, CNN reported. And while masks are not 100% effective, they substantially lower the amount of virus put into the air via coughing and talking.

The study said one reason people should wear masks to medical settings is because “health care personnel are notorious for coming to work while ill.” Transmission from patient to staff and staff to patient is still possible, but rare, when both are masked.

The review authors reported no conflicts of interest. Dr. Palmore has received grants from the NIH, Rigel, Gilead, and AbbVie, and Dr. Henderson is a past president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.

A new study urges people to continue wearing protective masks in medical settings, even though the U.S. public health emergency declaration around COVID-19 has expired.

Masks continue to lower the risk of catching the virus during medical visits, according to the study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine. And there was not much difference between wearing surgical masks and N95 respirators in health care settings.

The researchers reviewed 3 randomized trials and 21 observational studies to compare the effectiveness of those and cloth masks in reducing COVID-19 transmission.

“Masking in interactions between patients and health care personnel should continue to receive serious consideration as a patient safety measure,” Tara N. Palmore, MD, of George Washington University, Washington, and David K. Henderson, MD, of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md., wrote in an opinion article accompanying the study.

“In our enthusiasm to return to the appearance and feeling of normalcy, and as institutions decide which mitigation strategies to discontinue, we strongly advocate not discarding this important lesson learned for the sake of our patients’ safety,” Dr. Palmore and Dr. Henderson wrote.

Surgical masks limit the spread of aerosols and droplets from people who have the flu, coronaviruses or other respiratory viruses, CNN reported. And while masks are not 100% effective, they substantially lower the amount of virus put into the air via coughing and talking.

The study said one reason people should wear masks to medical settings is because “health care personnel are notorious for coming to work while ill.” Transmission from patient to staff and staff to patient is still possible, but rare, when both are masked.

The review authors reported no conflicts of interest. Dr. Palmore has received grants from the NIH, Rigel, Gilead, and AbbVie, and Dr. Henderson is a past president of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.

A resurgence of mpox this summer could be larger than last year’s caseload, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a warning to public health officials this week.

“The outbreak is not over,” the CDC alert stated, noting that springtime and summertime gatherings and festivals could lead to renewed virus spread. A new cluster of 13 cases is being investigated in Chicago, all among men, and four among people who recently traveled to New York City, New Orleans, or Mexico. 

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a virus that causes a rash and sometimes flulike symptoms. It is most often transmitted through sexual contact, but it can also be spread in nonsexual ways that involve contact with skin lesions or with saliva or upper respiratory secretions like snot or mucus, the CDC says. Most cases in the United States have been among gay or bisexual men, men who have sex with men, and transgender people.

Last year, the U.S. government declared mpox a public health emergency as cases peaked at 460 per day in August, infecting more than 30,000 people and killing 42 people. Public health officials worked to quickly distribute vaccinations to people at high risk for contracting the virus. The CDC says 23% of people most at risk of getting mpox have been vaccinated.

The agency advises that people be vaccinated for mpox based on their potential exposure risk. Vaccination does not necessarily prevent infection but can lessen the severity of symptoms. Nine of the men who were recently infected in Chicago were fully vaccinated.

“It’s important to remember that vaccines, while incredibly helpful, are not our only way to reduce the risk of contracting mpox,” Richard Silvera, MD, MPH, of the department of infectious diseases at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, told ABC News. 

Other ways to reduce risk are “things like avoiding social and sexual contact if you have new skin lesions and asking your intimate contacts if they are experiencing symptoms or new skin changes,” Dr. Silvera said.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.

A resurgence of mpox this summer could be larger than last year’s caseload, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a warning to public health officials this week.

“The outbreak is not over,” the CDC alert stated, noting that springtime and summertime gatherings and festivals could lead to renewed virus spread. A new cluster of 13 cases is being investigated in Chicago, all among men, and four among people who recently traveled to New York City, New Orleans, or Mexico. 

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a virus that causes a rash and sometimes flulike symptoms. It is most often transmitted through sexual contact, but it can also be spread in nonsexual ways that involve contact with skin lesions or with saliva or upper respiratory secretions like snot or mucus, the CDC says. Most cases in the United States have been among gay or bisexual men, men who have sex with men, and transgender people.

Last year, the U.S. government declared mpox a public health emergency as cases peaked at 460 per day in August, infecting more than 30,000 people and killing 42 people. Public health officials worked to quickly distribute vaccinations to people at high risk for contracting the virus. The CDC says 23% of people most at risk of getting mpox have been vaccinated.

The agency advises that people be vaccinated for mpox based on their potential exposure risk. Vaccination does not necessarily prevent infection but can lessen the severity of symptoms. Nine of the men who were recently infected in Chicago were fully vaccinated.

“It’s important to remember that vaccines, while incredibly helpful, are not our only way to reduce the risk of contracting mpox,” Richard Silvera, MD, MPH, of the department of infectious diseases at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, told ABC News. 

Other ways to reduce risk are “things like avoiding social and sexual contact if you have new skin lesions and asking your intimate contacts if they are experiencing symptoms or new skin changes,” Dr. Silvera said.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.

A resurgence of mpox this summer could be larger than last year’s caseload, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a warning to public health officials this week.

“The outbreak is not over,” the CDC alert stated, noting that springtime and summertime gatherings and festivals could lead to renewed virus spread. A new cluster of 13 cases is being investigated in Chicago, all among men, and four among people who recently traveled to New York City, New Orleans, or Mexico. 

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a virus that causes a rash and sometimes flulike symptoms. It is most often transmitted through sexual contact, but it can also be spread in nonsexual ways that involve contact with skin lesions or with saliva or upper respiratory secretions like snot or mucus, the CDC says. Most cases in the United States have been among gay or bisexual men, men who have sex with men, and transgender people.

Last year, the U.S. government declared mpox a public health emergency as cases peaked at 460 per day in August, infecting more than 30,000 people and killing 42 people. Public health officials worked to quickly distribute vaccinations to people at high risk for contracting the virus. The CDC says 23% of people most at risk of getting mpox have been vaccinated.

The agency advises that people be vaccinated for mpox based on their potential exposure risk. Vaccination does not necessarily prevent infection but can lessen the severity of symptoms. Nine of the men who were recently infected in Chicago were fully vaccinated.

“It’s important to remember that vaccines, while incredibly helpful, are not our only way to reduce the risk of contracting mpox,” Richard Silvera, MD, MPH, of the department of infectious diseases at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, told ABC News. 

Other ways to reduce risk are “things like avoiding social and sexual contact if you have new skin lesions and asking your intimate contacts if they are experiencing symptoms or new skin changes,” Dr. Silvera said.

A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.

Key clinical point: Adjuvant supplementation with single-strain probiotic lactobacilli significantly reduced the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index in young patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: The single-strain probiotic lactobacilli vs placebo group had a significant reduction in the SCORAD index (mean difference −4.50; P  =  .003).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 1124 patients aged 0-18 years with AD who received single-strain probiotic lactobacilli (n = 574) or placebo (n = 550).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Slovenian Research Agency. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Fijan S et al. Single-strain probiotic lactobacilli for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(4):1256 (Apr 17). Doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041256

Key clinical point: Adjuvant supplementation with single-strain probiotic lactobacilli significantly reduced the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index in young patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: The single-strain probiotic lactobacilli vs placebo group had a significant reduction in the SCORAD index (mean difference −4.50; P  =  .003).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 1124 patients aged 0-18 years with AD who received single-strain probiotic lactobacilli (n = 574) or placebo (n = 550).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Slovenian Research Agency. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Fijan S et al. Single-strain probiotic lactobacilli for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(4):1256 (Apr 17). Doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041256

Key clinical point: Adjuvant supplementation with single-strain probiotic lactobacilli significantly reduced the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index in young patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: The single-strain probiotic lactobacilli vs placebo group had a significant reduction in the SCORAD index (mean difference −4.50; P  =  .003).

Study details: Findings are from a meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 1124 patients aged 0-18 years with AD who received single-strain probiotic lactobacilli (n = 574) or placebo (n = 550).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Slovenian Research Agency. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Fijan S et al. Single-strain probiotic lactobacilli for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(4):1256 (Apr 17). Doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15041256

Key clinical point: A lower alpha diversity in infancy is associated with an increased risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children of parents with atopy.

Major finding: Overall, the skin microbiome at birth and 2 months of age was not associated with the subsequent development of AD (P  =  .2). However, a lower alpha diversity at 2 months of age was significantly associated with an increased risk for AD during the first 2 years in children with at least 1 parent (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.67; P  =  .03) or both parents (aHR 4.44; P  =  .04) with a history of atopy.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective analysis of 300 children born to term, of which 153 had a parental history of atopy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by The Leo Foundation and others. Some authors declared serving as speakers, advisors, or consultants for or receiving research grants or speaker or consulting honoraria from various organizations, including the study funders.

Source: Halling AS et al. Reduced skin microbiome diversity in infancy is associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis in high-risk children. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 (Apr 19). Doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1682

Key clinical point: A lower alpha diversity in infancy is associated with an increased risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children of parents with atopy.

Major finding: Overall, the skin microbiome at birth and 2 months of age was not associated with the subsequent development of AD (P  =  .2). However, a lower alpha diversity at 2 months of age was significantly associated with an increased risk for AD during the first 2 years in children with at least 1 parent (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.67; P  =  .03) or both parents (aHR 4.44; P  =  .04) with a history of atopy.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective analysis of 300 children born to term, of which 153 had a parental history of atopy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by The Leo Foundation and others. Some authors declared serving as speakers, advisors, or consultants for or receiving research grants or speaker or consulting honoraria from various organizations, including the study funders.

Source: Halling AS et al. Reduced skin microbiome diversity in infancy is associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis in high-risk children. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 (Apr 19). Doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1682

Key clinical point: A lower alpha diversity in infancy is associated with an increased risk for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children of parents with atopy.

Major finding: Overall, the skin microbiome at birth and 2 months of age was not associated with the subsequent development of AD (P  =  .2). However, a lower alpha diversity at 2 months of age was significantly associated with an increased risk for AD during the first 2 years in children with at least 1 parent (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.67; P  =  .03) or both parents (aHR 4.44; P  =  .04) with a history of atopy.

Study details: Findings are from a prospective analysis of 300 children born to term, of which 153 had a parental history of atopy.

Disclosures: This study was funded by The Leo Foundation and others. Some authors declared serving as speakers, advisors, or consultants for or receiving research grants or speaker or consulting honoraria from various organizations, including the study funders.

Source: Halling AS et al. Reduced skin microbiome diversity in infancy is associated with increased risk of atopic dermatitis in high-risk children. J Invest Dermatol. 2023 (Apr 19). Doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1682

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a 1.28-fold increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but patients with RA do not have an increased risk of developing AD.

Major finding: Patients with AD had a significantly increased risk of developing RA (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; P < .001). However, the risk of developing AD in patients with RA was not significant (OR 1.10; P  =  .52).

Study details: The data come from a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies that investigated the association between AD and RA.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Williams RC et al. The uni-directional association of atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 (Apr 12). Doi: 10.1007/s00403-023-02619-0

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a 1.28-fold increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but patients with RA do not have an increased risk of developing AD.

Major finding: Patients with AD had a significantly increased risk of developing RA (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; P < .001). However, the risk of developing AD in patients with RA was not significant (OR 1.10; P  =  .52).

Study details: The data come from a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies that investigated the association between AD and RA.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Williams RC et al. The uni-directional association of atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 (Apr 12). Doi: 10.1007/s00403-023-02619-0

Key clinical point: Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) have a 1.28-fold increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but patients with RA do not have an increased risk of developing AD.

Major finding: Patients with AD had a significantly increased risk of developing RA (odds ratio [OR] 1.28; P < .001). However, the risk of developing AD in patients with RA was not significant (OR 1.10; P  =  .52).

Study details: The data come from a systematic review and meta-analysis of nine studies that investigated the association between AD and RA.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Williams RC et al. The uni-directional association of atopic dermatitis and rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 (Apr 12). Doi: 10.1007/s00403-023-02619-0

Key clinical point: Treatment with an emollient plus balm significantly reduced corticosteroid use compared with routine treatment with commercial emollients in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: Until day 28, patients receiving emollient plus balm vs a commercial classical emollient used a significantly lower mean amount of corticosteroid (6.03 vs 9.16 g; P  =  .041), with corticosteroids being used on fewer days (37.5% vs 46.9% of days; P  =  .0256) and fewer times daily (0.55 vs 0.71 applications/day; P  =  .0203).

Study details: This single-center randomized controlled study included 119 patients age ≥3 years with mild-to-moderate AD who were randomly assigned to receive an emollient plus balm combination (n = 58) or a classical emollient (n = 61) for 28 days, both along with topical corticosteroids when necessary and as per prescription.

Disclosures: This study was supported by La Roche-Posay (LRP). A-L Demessant-Flavigny, S Salah, and D Kerob declared being employees of LRP. H Zelenkova reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zelenkova H et al. Impact of daily use of emollient ‘plus’ on corticosteroid consumption in patients with atopic dermatitis: An open, randomized controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18947

Key clinical point: Treatment with an emollient plus balm significantly reduced corticosteroid use compared with routine treatment with commercial emollients in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: Until day 28, patients receiving emollient plus balm vs a commercial classical emollient used a significantly lower mean amount of corticosteroid (6.03 vs 9.16 g; P  =  .041), with corticosteroids being used on fewer days (37.5% vs 46.9% of days; P  =  .0256) and fewer times daily (0.55 vs 0.71 applications/day; P  =  .0203).

Study details: This single-center randomized controlled study included 119 patients age ≥3 years with mild-to-moderate AD who were randomly assigned to receive an emollient plus balm combination (n = 58) or a classical emollient (n = 61) for 28 days, both along with topical corticosteroids when necessary and as per prescription.

Disclosures: This study was supported by La Roche-Posay (LRP). A-L Demessant-Flavigny, S Salah, and D Kerob declared being employees of LRP. H Zelenkova reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zelenkova H et al. Impact of daily use of emollient ‘plus’ on corticosteroid consumption in patients with atopic dermatitis: An open, randomized controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18947

Key clinical point: Treatment with an emollient plus balm significantly reduced corticosteroid use compared with routine treatment with commercial emollients in patients with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis (AD).

Major finding: Until day 28, patients receiving emollient plus balm vs a commercial classical emollient used a significantly lower mean amount of corticosteroid (6.03 vs 9.16 g; P  =  .041), with corticosteroids being used on fewer days (37.5% vs 46.9% of days; P  =  .0256) and fewer times daily (0.55 vs 0.71 applications/day; P  =  .0203).

Study details: This single-center randomized controlled study included 119 patients age ≥3 years with mild-to-moderate AD who were randomly assigned to receive an emollient plus balm combination (n = 58) or a classical emollient (n = 61) for 28 days, both along with topical corticosteroids when necessary and as per prescription.

Disclosures: This study was supported by La Roche-Posay (LRP). A-L Demessant-Flavigny, S Salah, and D Kerob declared being employees of LRP. H Zelenkova reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Zelenkova H et al. Impact of daily use of emollient ‘plus’ on corticosteroid consumption in patients with atopic dermatitis: An open, randomized controlled study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18947

Key clinical point: Tralokinumab demonstrated promising efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in a real-world cohort of patients with a long history of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and multiple treatment failures.

Major finding: At week 16, the mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), SCORing AD, and peak pruritus numerical rating scale scores improved by 70.4%, 64.1%, and 57.1%, respectively (all P < .0001), and 57.6% of patients achieved a ≥75% improvement in EASI scores. The safety profile was acceptable.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 85 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who had unsuccessfully used prior therapy with systemics, biologics, or a Janus kinase inhibitor (n = 27) or were naive to advanced therapy (n = 58) and received tralokinumab.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as investigators, speakers, or consultants for or receiving lecture, speaking, or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Pereyra-Rodriguez JJ et al. Treatment of severe atopic dermatitis with tralokinumab in real clinical practice. Short-term effectiveness and safety results. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023 (Apr 25). Doi: 10.1093/ced/llad153

Key clinical point: Tralokinumab demonstrated promising efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in a real-world cohort of patients with a long history of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and multiple treatment failures.

Major finding: At week 16, the mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), SCORing AD, and peak pruritus numerical rating scale scores improved by 70.4%, 64.1%, and 57.1%, respectively (all P < .0001), and 57.6% of patients achieved a ≥75% improvement in EASI scores. The safety profile was acceptable.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 85 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who had unsuccessfully used prior therapy with systemics, biologics, or a Janus kinase inhibitor (n = 27) or were naive to advanced therapy (n = 58) and received tralokinumab.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as investigators, speakers, or consultants for or receiving lecture, speaking, or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Pereyra-Rodriguez JJ et al. Treatment of severe atopic dermatitis with tralokinumab in real clinical practice. Short-term effectiveness and safety results. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023 (Apr 25). Doi: 10.1093/ced/llad153

Key clinical point: Tralokinumab demonstrated promising efficacy and an acceptable safety profile in a real-world cohort of patients with a long history of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and multiple treatment failures.

Major finding: At week 16, the mean Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), SCORing AD, and peak pruritus numerical rating scale scores improved by 70.4%, 64.1%, and 57.1%, respectively (all P < .0001), and 57.6% of patients achieved a ≥75% improvement in EASI scores. The safety profile was acceptable.

Study details: Findings are from a multicenter retrospective study including 85 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD who had unsuccessfully used prior therapy with systemics, biologics, or a Janus kinase inhibitor (n = 27) or were naive to advanced therapy (n = 58) and received tralokinumab.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. Some authors declared serving as investigators, speakers, or consultants for or receiving lecture, speaking, or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Pereyra-Rodriguez JJ et al. Treatment of severe atopic dermatitis with tralokinumab in real clinical practice. Short-term effectiveness and safety results. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2023 (Apr 25). Doi: 10.1093/ced/llad153

Key clinical point: Compared with the usual emollient and cleanser skincare routine, an emollient plus balm combination significantly improved pruritus in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) receiving systemic treatment.

Major finding: Patients treated with an emollient plus balm combination after pre-cleaning with a syndet (emollient “plus” group) vs the usual emollient and cleanser skincare routine (control group) had a significantly greater mean decrease in current pruritus after 70 days (P  =  .0277) and worse pruritus over the last 24 hours after 42 days (P  =  .025) of treatment.

Study details: This randomized controlled multicenter study included 57 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD using systemic treatment who were randomly assigned 1:1 to the emollient “plus” group or the control group.

Disclosures: This study was funded by La Roche-Posay (LRP). Two authors declared being employees of LRP, and some authors declared serving on advisory boards or as speakers, consultants, or investigators in the presented trial or other clinical trials sponsored by various sources, including LRP.

Source: Magnolo N et al. Comparison of different skin care regimens in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis receiving systemic treatment: A randomized controlled trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18949

Key clinical point: Compared with the usual emollient and cleanser skincare routine, an emollient plus balm combination significantly improved pruritus in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) receiving systemic treatment.

Major finding: Patients treated with an emollient plus balm combination after pre-cleaning with a syndet (emollient “plus” group) vs the usual emollient and cleanser skincare routine (control group) had a significantly greater mean decrease in current pruritus after 70 days (P  =  .0277) and worse pruritus over the last 24 hours after 42 days (P  =  .025) of treatment.

Study details: This randomized controlled multicenter study included 57 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD using systemic treatment who were randomly assigned 1:1 to the emollient “plus” group or the control group.

Disclosures: This study was funded by La Roche-Posay (LRP). Two authors declared being employees of LRP, and some authors declared serving on advisory boards or as speakers, consultants, or investigators in the presented trial or other clinical trials sponsored by various sources, including LRP.

Source: Magnolo N et al. Comparison of different skin care regimens in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis receiving systemic treatment: A randomized controlled trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18949

Key clinical point: Compared with the usual emollient and cleanser skincare routine, an emollient plus balm combination significantly improved pruritus in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) receiving systemic treatment.

Major finding: Patients treated with an emollient plus balm combination after pre-cleaning with a syndet (emollient “plus” group) vs the usual emollient and cleanser skincare routine (control group) had a significantly greater mean decrease in current pruritus after 70 days (P  =  .0277) and worse pruritus over the last 24 hours after 42 days (P  =  .025) of treatment.

Study details: This randomized controlled multicenter study included 57 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD using systemic treatment who were randomly assigned 1:1 to the emollient “plus” group or the control group.

Disclosures: This study was funded by La Roche-Posay (LRP). Two authors declared being employees of LRP, and some authors declared serving on advisory boards or as speakers, consultants, or investigators in the presented trial or other clinical trials sponsored by various sources, including LRP.

Source: Magnolo N et al. Comparison of different skin care regimens in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis receiving systemic treatment: A randomized controlled trial. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2023 (Apr 24). Doi: 10.1111/jdv.18949