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Cutaneous damage caused by hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is an important contributor to disease burden, independent of active lesions. Outcome measures used to specifically assess damage are becoming commonplace in the assessment of inflammatory diseases. However, no standardized method for assessing HS damage currently exists. The purpose of this study was to review outcome measures in HS that include constructs of both active disease and damage, review damage-specific instruments used in other inflammatory and destructive diseases, and review instruments used to assess scars of various aetiologies. This ultimately provides insight into how attributes of different tools can be applied to develop an outcome measure specific to HS damage. What is already known about this topic? Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory skin condition, which causes consequent cutaneous damage and scarring. Damage caused by HS is highly prevalent and an important contributor to its morbidity. Damage is an important component of inflammatory diseases that has proven its utility in a number of outcome measures; however, no standardized method for assessing HS damage currently exists. What does this study add? This narrative review assesses outcome measures used to measure damage in other inflammatory and destructive diseases. Instruments used to assess damage in other diseases can provide a starting point for the development of a damage outcome measure for HS.

Disparities in health care coverage, chronic diseases, mental health, and mortality among racial and ethnic groups, incarcerated individuals, and low-income communities are prevalent in the United States (U.S.). There is a need to address these shortfalls in access to care. Community outreach efforts can help reduce these disparities and bridge access to adequate healthcare to meet patient needs. In dermatology, there is a lack of studies assessing community outreach initiatives and whether these initiatives address diverse community needs. This cross-sectional study was designed to identify and categorize community outreach initiatives offered by academic dermatology programs in the U.S. to recognize potential areas of improvement to better serve our communities. We surveyed 142 ACGME-accredited U.S. dermatology programs regarding their community outreach initiatives and obtained information for 68% of the programs. Most dermatology residency programs provided traditionally popular community outreach initiatives like skin cancer screenings and free general dermatology clinics. Conversely, very few programs offered initiatives addressing the needs of patients of color, minoritized communities such as American Indians, or chronic skin disease patients. These may be opportunities to broaden our definition of community outreach and address the dermatological needs of all communities.

Taking a gap year to obtain an additional degree or for research is becoming increasingly popular among medical students pursuing dermatology to bolster residency application competitiveness. The purpose of this study was to determine whether doing so influences future academic achievement and career trajectory. A list of dermatologists who achieved board certification in 2010 was obtained from the American Board of Dermatology. Information regarding additional post-graduate degrees, research years, fellowship specialization, practice setting, publication number, and H-index were obtained using publicly available data. Additional degrees were associated with higher research productivity, higher H-index, and practicing at teaching hospitals, while taking a research year was only associated with a higher H-index. This data can be used to further inform medical students wishing to achieve high levels of research productivity and careers at teaching institutions and residency programs wishing to recruit such applicants.

There is an existing disparity in the ability for patients with skin of color to access reliable, evidence-based care via social media.To analyze the intention, creators, and engagement of skin of color content posted on TikTok.Cross-sectional epidemiologic study analyzing the content of 43 search terms related to skin of color.Population-based.The accounts linked to the top 3 posts associated with each search term when sorted by both relevance and number of likes based on the TikTok algorithm.N/A.The number of views, likes, comments, and shares.Dermatologists fall behind other TikTok creators with regard to producing popular skin of color content on TikTok. Conclusion and Results: Dermatologists have the opportunity to help combat the spread of misinformation by generating educational posts and making reliable content more available for skin of color patients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(7):718-722. doi:10.36849/JDD.6784.

Background Lisfranc ligamentous injuries are complex, and their treatment, along with the preferred method of fixation, is controversial. Implementing a flexible synthetic augmentation device (fibertape) has been described as an alternative to traditional screw fixation. This biomechanical study evaluated two fibertape devices with interference screw fixation: InternalBrace, and InternalBrace with supplementary intercuneiform stabilization. Methods The diastasis and relative angular displacement between bones were measured at three midfoot joints in the Lisfranc articulation. Measurements were obtained for the pre-injured, injured, and post-fixation stages under static loading. Specimens then underwent stepwise increases in cyclic loading performed at 1 Hz and 100 cycles, at 100 N ground reaction force intervals from 500 to 1200 N to simulate postoperative loading, and then up to 1800 N to simulate high loads. Failure of fixation was defined as diastasis greater than 2 millimeters at the second-metatarsal – medial-cuneiform joint. Results InternalBrace specimens demonstrated failures in 3 of 9 (33%) specimens at cyclic loads of 1000 N. Conversely, InternalBrace with Supplementary Limb specimens had 1 failure at 1200 N. The difference in diastasis at the second metatarsal-medial cuneiform joint was statistically significant between the two groups at higher loads of 1600N (p = 0.019) and 1800N (p = 0.029). Conclusion The use of InternalBrace for ligamentous Lisfranc injuries appears to provide a biomechanically viable alternative for withstanding early postoperative protected weight bearing. Furthermore, the use of a supplementary limb in addition to the InternalBrace fibertape fixation method appears to enhance its biomechanical efficacy.