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Biomedical subjects

R S Stern

Publications and source records attributed to R S Stern.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Cutaneous disease and drug reactions in HIV infection.

BACKGROUND: Skin diseases, including adverse reactions to drugs, are thought to be more common among patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) than among other persons. These skin conditions can be disabling or disfiguring and may require discontinuation of essential drugs. METHODS: We identified 684 HIV-infected members of a 265,000-member health maintenance organization and reviewed their medical records to determine the frequency of dermatologic diagnoses from April 1, 1988, through January 15, 1991. We compared the rates of visits per year for skin conditions by HIV-infected men, 20 to 49 years of age, with those by non-HIV-infected men. We used an automated prescription data base to quantify exposures to drugs. RESULTS: Of the 684 HIV-infected patients, 540 (79 percent) were given one or more dermatologic diagnoses, for a total of 2281 diagnoses, including 188 cutaneous reactions to drugs. There were 43 hospitalizations for cellulitis (n = 15), cutaneous drug reactions (n = 13), or other skin problems. As compared with non-HIV-infected men, the men with AIDS had visit rates that were at least 5 times higher for 18 of the 20 most common infectious and inflammatory skin conditions and at least 15 times higher for 9 conditions. Drugs with the highest rate of cutaneous reactions (per 1000 courses) included trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (149), sulfadiazine (200), trimethoprim-dapsone (156), and aminopenicillins (93). The number of diagnoses of skin conditions increased according to the stage of disease: it was lowest in patients immediately before the documentation of HIV infection and highest in patients with a diagnosis of AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous diseases, including drug reactions, are extremely common in patients with HIV infection, and their incidence increases as immune function deteriorates.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1993

The diminishing role of the dermatologist in the office-based care of cutaneous diseases.

The number of physicians who provide ambulatory care for patients with skin diseases is rapidly increasing. Current and proposed changes in health care financing may limit direct access to dermatologists. We provide recent data on volume of visits for cutaneous diagnoses, including the types of medical practitioners who provided these ambulatory services, and compare these data with earlier surveys that span 15 years. In 1989, dermatologists saw 41% of the 51.6 million persons with cutaneous diagnoses. The number of visits per dermatologist declined significantly from 1974 to 1989 (p < 0.05). Visits to dermatologists were significantly more likely to be reimbursed by Blue Cross/Blue Shield or self-pay than visits to other physicians for skin problems. From 1974 to 1989, the demand for dermatologic services from dermatologists has not increased as rapidly as the supply of dermatologists. Our data also suggest that restrictions on direct access to dermatologists or changes in reimbursement may substantially decrease the demand for services provided by dermatologists.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

An international comparison of case definition of severe adverse cutaneous reactions to medicines.

There is substantial intercountry variation in the proportion of cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) which are attributed to specific drugs. This study was undertaken to determine whether these differences might reflect biases in diagnosis of these conditions. A total of 138 reactions in 5 countries originally diagnosed as TEN or SJS were coded on to standardised forms. A single observer blind to the original diagnosis assessed each case according to specified criteria. This observer's diagnoses were compared with the original diagnoses. Overall, 111 of the 138 cases had information adequate for assessment. The blinded observer agreed with the diagnosis for 61% of cases where the original diagnosis was TEN and 58% of cases where the original diagnosis was SJS. There was no significant difference in rates of agreement when reactions attributed to sulphonamide antibiotics were compared with reactions attributed to other drugs. There were substantial and significant differences in percentage agreement between the blinded observer's diagnosis and the original diagnoses between countries. The lowest rates of agreement between the blinded observer and the original reports occurred in the US. Our results illustrate the difficulty in comparing reaction rates based on spontaneous reports between countries where the systems for gathering such reports vary. This illustrates the need for a minimum quantity of standard data and precise definitions of reactions if spontaneous reports of adverse reactions are to provide useful information about severe adverse skin reactions associated with drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Diagnosis and treatment of nevomelanocytic lesions of the skin. A community-based study.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Nevomelanocytic lesions of the skin are frequently removed. However, little data are available concerning the diagnostic accuracy, histologic features, and methods of removal for these common lesions. We identified 2935 consecutive nevomelanocytic lesions examined at four pathology laboratories to determine the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis, the characteristics of the patients treated, and the methods used for removal. RESULTS: Of 2935 melanocytic lesions, 2087 (71%) were benign nevi, 684 (22%) were dysplastic nevi, 72 (3%) were blue nevi, and 76 (3%) were lentigines. Lentiginous melanocytic hyperplasias with cytologic atypia (20) and melanoma (26) each represented less than 1% of such lesions. Diagnostic accuracy varied by the pathologic diagnosis and the specialty of the treating physician. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons had the highest diagnostic accuracy. Techniques used to remove melanocytic lesions varied by physician specialty and type of lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high frequency of removal, the methods used to remove nevomelanocytic lesions vary widely. Improving the clinician's ability to distinguish type of lesion may improve care. Studies that determine optimal means for their removal are warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Clinical classification of cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multiforme.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: To conduct a prospective case-control study about causative factors of severe bullous erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis, we needed to define criteria for classifying the cases and standardize the collection of data so that cases could be reliably diagnosed according to this classification. Based on review of case histories and photographs of patients, a group of experts proposed a classification based on the pattern of erythema multiforme-like lesions (categorized as typical targets, raised or flat atypical targets, and purpuric macules) and on the extent of epidermal detachment. An atlas illustrating this classification that included photographs and schematic drawings was developed. We compared the evaluations of 28 cases by four nonphysicians relying on the atlas with the evaluations of the same cases by five experts not using the atlas to determine the usefulness of this atlas for classifying cases according to our nosologic schema. RESULTS: The following consensus classification in five categories was proposed: bullous erythema multiforme, detachment below 10% of the body surface area plus localized "typical targets" or "raised atypical targets"; Stevens-Johnson syndrome, detachment below 10% of the body surface area plus widespread erythematous or purpuric macules or flat atypical targets; overlap Stevens-Johnson syndrome-toxic epidermal necrolysis, detachment between 10% and 30% of the body surface area plus widespread purpuric macules or flat atypical targets; toxic epidermal necrolysis with spots, detachment above 30% of the body surface area plus widespread purpuric macules or flat atypical targets; and toxic epidermal necrolysis without spots, detachment above 10% of the body surface area with large epidermal sheets and without any purpuric macule or target. Using the atlas, the nonexperts showed excellent agreement with the experts. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that an illustrated atlas is a useful tool for standardizing the diagnosis of acute severe bullous disorders that are attributed to drugs or infectious agents. Whether the five categories proposed represent distinct etiopathologic entities will require further epidemiologic and laboratory investigations.

Erythema Multiforme↗
PubMed1992

Lack of efficacy of phenytoin in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Epidermolysis Bullosa Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is an uncommon, severely disabling, heritable disorder characterized by abnormal fragility of the skin. Open trials have suggested that phenytoin is an effective treatment, and this therapy is now widely used. METHODS: To determine the efficacy of phenytoin in the treatment of recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial in 36 patients. Each treatment was given for five to seven months, separated by a two-month period. We measured the total number of blisters and erosions on the entire body, the size of three plaques containing blisters and erosions, and the number of blisters and erosions in the three plaques at the beginning and end of each treatment period in each patient. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients completed both courses of therapy, seven patients completed one course, and seven patients withdrew before completing a single course. There was no significant difference in disease activity between phenytoin treatment and placebo treatment, as measured by changes in the number of blisters and erosions on the entire body (7 percent decrease vs. 6 percent increase), in the area of three designated plaques (0.4 percent decrease vs. 0.2 percent increase), or in the number of blisters and erosions in the designated plaques (12 percent decrease vs. 31 percent increase). CONCLUSIONS: Phenytoin is not an effective treatment for patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Risk of subsequent basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin among patients with prior skin cancer. Skin Cancer Prevention Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aims of this study were to assess risk of subsequent basal and squamous cell skin cancer among patients with a prior history of these tumors and to examine these risks in relation to patient characteristics and life-style factors. DESIGN: Follow-up of participants in a randomized trial of betacarotene as a possible skin cancer preventive agent. SETTING: Clinical centers in Los Angeles, Calif, San Francisco, Calif, Minneapolis, Minn, and Hanover, NH. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n = 1805) who were diagnosed as having a basal or squamous cell skin cancer between January 1980 and February 1986 and were free of skin cancer at study entry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Time from study entry to first new occurrence of basal and squamous cell skin cancer. RESULTS: The estimated risk of developing one or more new skin cancers was 35% at 3 years and 50% at 5 years. New skin cancers tended to be of the same cell type as the previous skin cancers. For both basal and squamous cell skin cancer, risk was higher among patients who were male, were over the age of 60 years, had more prior skin cancers, had severe actinic skin damage, or who burned easily with sun exposure. Compared with those who had never smoked, the rate of subsequent squamous cell skin cancer was higher among current smokers (rate ratio, 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.21 to 3.34) and former smokers (rate ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.07 to 2.47) and increased with both duration and amount smoked. There was no clear relationship between smoking and basal cell skin cancer; the rate appeared lower among heavy smokers but was unrelated to duration of smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with a prior nonmelanoma skin cancer had a substantial 5-year risk of developing another tumor of the same histologic type. Number of previous skin cancers, solar damage, and skin sensitivity to sun exposure were particularly related to this risk. The increased risk of squamous cell skin cancer associated with cigarette smoking merits further study.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Epidemiology of isotretinoin exposure during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to isotretinoin during pregnancy is associated with a high risk of major fetal malformations. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the reasons for and outcomes of in utero isotretinoin exposure. METHODS: On the basis of 433 spontaneous reports, we describe the likely reasons these exposures occurred and the outcomes of these pregnancies. In our analysis of the outcomes of pregnancy, we separately consider the pregnancies known to us before their outcomes were determined as prospective cases. RESULTS: Timing of conception in relation to initiation of therapy with isotretinoin was known for 396 women. Of these, 130 patients (33%) were already pregnant when they started isotretinoin. An additional 65 patients (16%) became pregnant in the first 3 weeks of isotretinoin use. Pregnancy outcomes were known on 409 pregnancies. Among these, 222 (54%) ended in elective abortion and 29 (7%) in spontaneous or missed abortion. Of 151 births, 72 (48%) were normal, 71 (47%) had congenital malformations, and 8 (5%) had abnormalities other than malformations. Of 94 prospectively ascertained pregnancies that ended in births, 28% had congenital malformations (95% confidence interval 19% to 37%). Exposure to isotretinoin during any time and for as little as one capsule within the first trimester have been associated with congenital malformations. CONCLUSION: The high proportion of exposures in already or recently pregnant women illustrates the importance of obtaining a negative pregnancy test before the initiation of isotretinoin therapy and of delaying the commencement of isotretinoin therapy until the onset of the next menstrual period. Furthermore, the importance of reliable contraceptive methods should be emphasized to patients when isotretinoin is prescribed. Young women seem to be at an especially high risk of pregnancy exposure to isotretinoin. There is a substantial risk of congenital malformation at all therapeutic doses of isotretinoin, even when the duration of exposure is brief.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed1992

The prevalence of acne on the basis of physical examination.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that cystic acne is rare in women 15 to 44 years of age and infrequent in men. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of acne, we analyzed the primary data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that included a cutaneous examination of a stratified random sample of 20,749 noninstitutionalized U.S. residents. METHODS: We calculated the prevalence of various disease states based on NHANES primary data and the NHANES population weights. Prevalence estimates and male/female ratios of these estimates were calculated. RESULTS: From 1971 to 1974, the projected prevalence of acne conglobata (grade IV acne) for women and men 15 to 44 years of age in the United States was 250,000 and 570,000, respectively. At the time of examination, an additional 582,000 women and 749,000 men were projected to have moderate acne with cysts and scars. Therefore the prevalence of acne conglobata and acne of at least a moderate degree with cysts and scars was 832,000 for women and 1,319,000 for men 15 to 44 years of age. The male/female ratio for acne with cysts and scars is approximately 1.6:1. CONCLUSION: The NHANES examination data demonstrate that acne with cysts and scars is common in both men and women.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1992

Risks of cancer associated with long-term exposure to PUVA in humans: current status--1991.

Since 1975 oral 8-methoxypsoralen administered in association with ultraviolet-A radiation (UVA), (PUVA) has been widely used to treat psoriasis and other cutaneous diseases. PUVA is mutagenic, and in animals carcinogenic. Prospective study of a cohort of patients with psoriasis who were first treated with PUVA in 1975-1976 has provided data on the carcinogenic risk of this treatment. There is a dose-dependent increase in the risk of squamous cell cancer of the skin associated with exposure to PUVA. A recent large-scale Swedish study confirmed this association. The risk of squamous cell cancer of the genitals of males exposed to high doses of PUVA is especially high. A consistent, confirmed, and significant relationship of exposure to PUVA to other types of malignancies in man has not been established. Although highly effective in the treatment of psoriasis, the risk of squamous cell cancer associated with long-term therapy with PUVA must be considered in determining when this therapy is appropriate for an individual patient. Additional study of PUVA-treated patients will better define the full spectrum of the carcinogenic risk of PUVA therapy and the clinical behavior of tumors that arise in association with this treatment.

Carcinoma in Situ↗
PubMed1991

Diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of care for seborrheic keratoses. A pilot study of an approach to quality assurance for cutaneous surgery.

In 1985 there were more than 40 million visits for ambulatory surgical procedures in the United States. Although benign cutaneous lesions are among the most frequent conditions to receive surgical treatment in ambulatory settings, their treatment is seldom subject to peer review. In this pilot study we assessed diagnostic accuracy and appropriateness of care using information available from the surgical pathology laboratory. We assessed these two measures of physician performance for 527 seborrheic keratoses removed by 133 clinicians affiliated with four different institutions. Overall, a correct preoperative diagnosis was provided in only 49% of cases. Dermatologists had the highest diagnostic accuracy (61% vs 35% for all other physicians). An appropriate procedure for the actual pathological diagnosis was performed in only 50% of cases. Lesions with a correct preoperative diagnosis were more than eight times more likely to receive appropriate care. Our data suggest that many clinicians fail to note a correct diagnosis of common cutaneous lesions before surgical removal, and many patients are treated with procedures that are more invasive than necessary for the final pathological diagnosis. Because the approach used in this pilot study relies on data already available, it has promise as a low-cost method of monitoring the quality of care of ambulatory surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Psychological aspects of 211 female patients attending a urodynamic unit.

Psychological aspects of 211 female patients attending a Urodynamic Unit were assessed by means of standardized questionnaires. Patients with genuine stress incontinence (GSI) showed changes comparable to other patients with longstanding physical complaints. Patients with sensory urgency (SU) lacked self esteem and were more anxious than those with GSI. Patients with detrusor instability (DI) were as anxious and lacking in self esteem as patients with sensory urgency and additionally had morbid thoughts and worries and higher scores on the hysteria sub-scale of the Crown-Crisp Experiential Index. Roughly a quarter of all the patients reported that their urinary symptoms rendered life intolerable and they were as anxious, depressed and phobic as psychiatric inpatients.

Adolescent↗