Dermatology Commons^™

Does Light Therapy Improve The Quality Of Life For People With Acne?, Montana W. Banks

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does light therapy improve the quality of life for people with acne?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed primary studies published between the years of 2016 and 2018. All articles were published in the English language and in peer-reviewed journals.

DATA SOURCES: One pilot study, one multicenter, randomized, split-face control study and one single-blind, randomized, split-face study evaluating if light therapy can improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with acne. Sources were selected from PubMed and Cochrane based off of the relevance …

Is Apremilast 30mg Effective In Lowering Dlgi Scores In Patients With Plaque Psoriasis In 16 Weeks Of Therapy?, Hunter N. Dennard

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is Apremilast 30 mg effective in lowering DLQI scores in patients with plaque psoriasis in 16 weeks of therapy?”

Study Design: Review of three randomized, blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials published between the years 2013 and 2016.

Data Sources: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals that were located using PubMed database searches.

Outcome Measured: The DLQI is a 10-item questionnaire that assesses the impact of skin disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over the previous week. Scores for each item range from 0 (not at …

Does Adalimumab Improve Symptoms In Patients With Moderate To Severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa?, Eric A. Eck

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does Adalimumab improve symptoms in patients with moderate to severe Hidradenitis Suppurativa?”

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three peer-reviewed articles published between 2011 and 2016 which present patient oriented evidence.

DATA SOURCES: Review incorporated analysis of two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one open label prospective trial. Studies were selected based upon the relevance to the clinical question, does adalimumab usage improve symptoms in individuals with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes measured focused on patient reported reduction in hidradenitis suppurativa symptoms. …

Are Probiotics Effective In Reducing Symptoms Of Atopic Dermatitis?, Samuel H. Kim

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotics are effective in reducing symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

STUDY DESIGN: Selective EBM review of three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials published after 2009, all English language.

DATA SOURCES: All three studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found on PubMed and selected based on relevance to the proposed clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The main outcome measured was the percentage change in SCORAD index to determine severity of atopic dermatitis before and after trial through objective and subjective findings. Additional outcomes included DLQ index which was evaluated via …

Are Substances Found In Green Tea Effective In Reducing Inflammatory And Noninflammatory Lesion Counts In Men And Women With Acne Vulgaris?, Kimberly I. Ward

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the substances found in green tea are effective in reducing noninflammatory and inflammatory lesion counts in men and women with acne vulgaris.

STUDY DESIGN: Systemic review of two double-blind RCTs and one case study published after 2008, all in the English language.

DATA SOURCES: Data sources obtained for this review were found using PubMed, published in peer-reviewed journals and selected based on relevance to the clinical question, outcomes measured and date published.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes were measured based off of reduction in total lesion counts, …

Is Tildrakizumab Monotherapy Effective In Treating Moderate To Severe Plaque Psoriasis?, April L. Wiseman

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not tildrakizumab monotherapy is effective in treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Study Design: Systemic review of three randomized placebo controlled clinical trials published in 2015 and 2017.

Data Sources: Three randomized controlled trials published in peer-reviewed journals comparing the effects of IV or subcutaneous tildrakizumab to a visually matched placebo for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Data sources were found using the PubMed database.

Outcomes Measured: The reduction of psoriatic lesions following treatment was measured using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 …

Is Apremilast (Otezla) Effective In Reducing Pruritus In Adults Over 18 Years Old With Plaque Psoriasis?, Stephanie N. Carnes

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not apremilast (Otezla) is effective in reducing pruritus in adults over 18 years old with plaque psoriasis

STUDY DESIGN: This review is based on three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in 2012, and 2015.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of apremilast to a placebo in reducing pruritus in adults over 18 years old with plaque psoriasis, found using PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome studied was improvement of the psoriatic plaques based on reduction in pruritus measured by the Pruritus …

Is The Use Of Triamcinolone (Tac) In Combination With 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) More Effective Than Tac Alone In The Treatment Of Keloid Scars?, Jenna A. Barreto

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of the selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Is the use of triamcinolone (TAC) in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is more effective than TAC alone in the treatment of keloid scars?”

Study Design: Review of two (2) published, randomized control trials (RCT) and one (1) published, observational case control study (OCCS) in 2009 and 2014. All are in English.

Data Sources: The two (2) RCTs and the OCCS. Both were found using PubMed.

Outcomes Measured: Reduction in scar height and evolution of symptoms, specifically pain and pruritus. Other outcomes measured …

Do Submental Deoxycholic Acid Injections Reduce Submental Fat In Adult Patients Enough To Create A Significant Increase In Patient Satisfaction?, Alec W. Curry

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Submental deoxycholic acid injections reduce submental fat in adult patients enough to create a significant increase in patient satisfaction”

Study Design: Review of 3 double blind, randomized control trials that were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

Data Sources: All three peer-reviewed articles were found using PubMed and Cochrane Database. The keywords “ATX-101”, “submental fat”, and “deoxycholic acid” were used.

Outcomes Measured: Satisfaction with appearance in association with face and chin evaluated by a patient reported subject self-rating scale …

Are Ceramide Containing Creams A Safe And Effective Treatment For Patients With Atopic Dermatitis?, Jennifer M. Francis

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not ceramide containing creams are a safe and effective treatment for patients with atopic dermatitis.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three randomized controlled studies published in English between 2009-2016.

DATA SOURCES: Three assessor blind randomized controlled trials found using PubMed and EbscoHOST databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each of the three trials assessed safety and efficacy of a ceramide containing cream compared with another method in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Outcomes were measured by Eczema Severity Score (ESS), rating of skin dryness on a 0-4 …

Is Platelet Rich Plasma Injection An Effective Treatment For Hair Loss In Androgenic Alopecia And Alopecia Areata?, Maciej Stanczak

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not Platelet Rich Plasma is efficacious in regrowth of hair in both androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Study Design: Review of two blinded randomized controlled trials and one prospective cohort study. Populations studied were Adults over 18 with hair loss. All articles published in peer-reviewed journals in English.

Data Source: 3 articles found via PubMed and NCBI

Outcomes Measured: One prospective cohort study, and two randomized control trials evaluating hair regrowth after PRP scalp injections. Outcomes were reported by patient satisfaction, mean hair …

Is Oral Isotretinoin More Effective Than Antibiotics In The Treatment Of Severe Acne In Adults?, Eric Thomas

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

Objective: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the use of oral isotretinoin is more effective than oral antibiotics in the treatment of severe acne.

Study Design: Review of all English language primary studies published after year 2000.

Data Sources: Three randomized control trials all found using PubMed. Outcomes Measured: Total number and percentage change in total acne lesions from baseline at various intervals.

Results: A randomized control trial (RCT) by Gollnick et al. (2001) found that oral isotretinoin was more effective than combination therapy involving minocycline in treating severe …

Does Adalimumab Effectively Treat Moderate To Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis In Adults?, Anthony J. Audia

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does adalimumab effectively treat moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis in adults?”

STUDY DESIGN: This review is based on two randomized controlled trials and one retrospective study. The studies compared the efficacy of adalimumab in reducing the body surface area affected by plaque psoriasis.

DATA SOURCES: All articles used in this review are peer reviewed journals, published in English, and found using PubMed and Ebscohost.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: For all studies, the effectiveness of adalimumab on moderate to severe plaque psoriasis was evaluated using …

Is Brimonidine Tartrate Gel .5% Effective In Reducing Facial Erythema Of Rosacea?, Meeta Aggarwal

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) review is to determine whether or not “Is Brimonidine Tartrate gel 0.5% effective in reducing facial erythema of Rosacea?”

STUDY DESIGN: Review of two randomized controlled trials (RCT), and one 1-year longitudinal open-label study.

DATA SOURCES: All studies were published in peer-reviewed journals found via the use of PubMed or Medline.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Patients were divided into two groups: those who received the Brimonidine Tartrate gel and those who received the vehicle (placebo) gel. Efficacy of Brimonidine tartrate gel was compared to the efficacy of the vehicle gel. Outcomes were …

Is Probiotic Supplementation Effective In Reducing The Incidence Of Atopic Dermatitis In Children Age 3 And Under?, Kristen M. Mclaughlin

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not probiotic supplementation is effective in reducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children age 3 and younger.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review of three Engligh language primary studies one published in 2009 and the other two in 2010.

DATA SOURCES: Three double blind randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of probiotic supplementation for reducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis in children ages 3 and under were found using Cochrane Library EBM and PubMed databases.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, via a positive …

Is Dapsone Gel Safe And Effective For The Treatment Of Acne Vulgaris?, Amy Patel

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not dapsone gel is safe and effective for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

STUDY DESIGN: A review of three English language studies published in 2007. Includes two randomized, double-blind, controlled trials and one open label, noncomparative study. DATA SOURCES: Randomized, controlled trials comparing dapsone gel to vehicle gel control were found using PubMed and Cochrane database.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Success on the Global Acne Assessment Score (GAAS) and reduction in acne lesion counts

RESULTS: The two randomized, controlled trials and the open-label noncomparative study …