The dermatology trade press featured several JDD articles about pigmentary disorders in recent weeks. Dermatology Times reported on a JDD study in its article about comorbidities in vitiligo. The study, “Shining a Light on Vitiligo and Associated Comorbidities: What Is the Evidence?,” was produced by Sapana Desai, MD, and colleagues from the dermatology department at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The authors reviewed evidence for the most frequent comorbidities associated with vitiligo: thyroid disease, alopecia areata, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. The authors encourage healthcare professionals to be aware of possible autoimmune and systemic diseases that may present concurrent to vitiligo.
Dermatology Times and Healio reported on a JDD study in their articles about using tranexamic acid (TXA) for melasma management. Seemal Desai, MD, and colleagues from five Asian countries authored “Optimizing Melasma Management With Topical Tranexamic Acid: An Expert Consensus.” The authors convened as a virtual advisory board and created six practice points related to the use of topical TXA. They determined that topical TXA can be offered as first-line monotherapy for mild to moderate melasma, and it can be used for long-term maintenance. The authors state that topical TXA is effective in specific situations, such as in patients who are unable to tolerate hydroquinone or oral TXA, patients who are unresponsive to conventional therapies, or patients who are in need of drug holidays.
Healio also wrote about a JDD study in its article on PATH-3 Technology versus hydroquinone for facial dyschromia. The study, “A Multi-Center, Randomized, Blinded Clinical Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Topical Product for Facial Dyschromia,” was conducted by Jordan V. Wang, MBE, MBA, and colleagues. The authors sought to determine the safety and effectiveness of a novel topical product that contains actives to counteract steps in the pigmentation pathways. Forty-three subjects received either the novel topical product or hydroquinone 4%. At the week 12 follow-up, those who were using the novel topical product had significant improvements in the modified Melasma Area Severity Index scores for the right cheek, left cheek, combined cheeks and total facial area. Those using hydroquinone 4% were reported to have had no significant improvements in these areas. Although both groups of subjects were shown to have improved dyschromia and skin tone, the novel topical product also offered significant improvements in skin radiance and skin texture. The hydroquinone 4% group experienced five adverse events, while there were no reported adverse effects with the novel topical product. The hydroquinone 4% cohort also more frequently reported burning/stinging, tingling, itching, erythema and dryness. Therefore, the authors report that the novel topical product is safe and effective for treating facial dyschromia.
