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Toma AO, Prodan M, Reddyreddy AR, Seclaman E, Crainiceanu Z, Bloanca V, Bratosin F, Dumitru C, Pilut CN, Alambaram S, Vasamsetti NG, Decean L, Pricop M. The Epidemiology of Malignant Melanoma during the First Two Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:305. [PMID: 36612627 PMCID: PMC9819675 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
It is hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on the epidemiology of malignant melanoma owing to diminished screening, diagnostic, and treatment capacities, resulting in a more advanced stage at initial presentation. The goal of this study is to undertake a systematic analysis of all epidemiological and clinical data on the trends and patient outcomes with malignant melanoma during the ongoing pandemic. Records were identified from PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science, selecting a total of 39 articles, narrative reviews, and editorial letters, following the PRISMA guidelines. The vast majority of the studies were published in Europe (28/39), and North America (7/39). A total of 99,860 patients were analyzed during 2020 and 2021 of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it was observed that malignant melanoma TNM staging increased significantly compared to the pre-pandemic period. Before the pandemic, 25.88% of patients had TNM stage II or above, compared to 36.25% during 2020-2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the malignant melanoma Breslow depth index grew from 1.59 mm before 2020 to 1.86 mm in 2020 and 2021. Patients decreased by 19.58% in 2020 and 2021 compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The patient-loss ratio indicated lower screening activity and patient addressability to dermatology and plastic surgery departments with skin cancer concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic study shows that the identification and management of malignant melanoma during the COVID-19 pandemic faced major challenges which should alert medical systems to the high number of patients with advanced disease stages who may need emergency treatment and become incurable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Olivia Toma
- Department of Microbiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Mihaela Prodan
- Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Doctoral School, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Akash Reddy Reddyreddy
- School of General Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Amdapur Road 156-162, Hyderabad 500075, India
| | - Edward Seclaman
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Complex Networks Science, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Zorin Crainiceanu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Vlad Bloanca
- Department of Plastic Surgery, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Felix Bratosin
- Methodological and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Catalin Dumitru
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ciprian Nicolae Pilut
- Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, Nizampura, Warangal, Telangana 506007, India
| | - Satish Alambaram
- School of General Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Amdapur Road 156-162, Hyderabad 500075, India
| | | | - Luminita Decean
- Faculty of General Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Marius Pricop
- Discipline of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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Abstract
The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has led to a change in the whole world order. The key actors and occupational groups most at risk during this period have been health care professionals. In this pandemic, we, as dermatologists, also have many responsibilities regarding patients, ourselves, and society. Dermatologists have to protect themselves, their families, and their patients while working in pandemic services and outpatient clinics, as well as in their practices. One of their roles is to inform the public about protective measures for cutaneous side effects associated with the intensive use of disinfectants and long-term use of masks. In hospitals, only emergency patients had been admitted for treatment in all units during the pandemic, and elective operations and procedures were delayed. In this context, it is very important to determine what procedures will be carried out during this period in the follow up and treatment of chronic dermatologic diseases, as well as what interventional and cosmetic procedures may performed. Guidelines issued by various medical societies have made valuable contributions. The benefits and associated issues of teledermatology have pros and cons. Finally, one of the issues to ponder in the long term seems to be how we should pursue online education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Serap Karadag
- Department of Dermatology, Ataşehir Memorial Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Melek Aslan Kayıran
- Department of Dermatology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, School of Medicine, Goztepe Prof Dr Süleyman Yalçın City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Uwe Wollina
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Städtisches Klinikum Dresden Academic Teaching Hospital of the Technical University, Freidrichstrasse, Dresden, Germany
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Bhargava S, Negbenebor N, Sadoughifar R, Ahmad S, Kroumpouzos G. Global impact on dermatology practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clin Dermatol 2021; 39:479-487. [PMID: 34518007 PMCID: PMC8043816 DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2021.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This contribution focuses on the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on dermatology practice. We discuss the impact on practice volume and procedures and on the considerable increase in teledermatology use. We also describe the important roles that dermatologists have played in enhancing infection prevention and on the frontline. During the crisis, dermatologists have faced the challenge of a shortage of resources, such as personal protective equipment, in the health care system. In addition, they have been involved in managing cutaneous manifestations related to COVID-19 and occupational disease caused by personal protective equipment. Dermatologists have made a diligent effort to identify melanoma and to ensure the treatment of high-risk skin cancers. Safety guidelines have been suggested to minimize the potential risks associated with the systemic use of immunosuppressant agents and immunomodulators in patients with severe inflammatory skin disease during the pandemic. Finally, social distancing necessitated that dermatology conferences take place virtually and teaching via e-learning increased.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole Negbenebor
- Department of Dermatology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - Serene Ahmad
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - George Kroumpouzos
- Department of Dermatology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA; Department of Dermatology, Medical School of Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Bhargava S, McKeever C, Kroumpouzos G. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dermatology practices: Results of a web-based, global survey. Int J Womens Dermatol 2021; 7:217-223. [PMID: 33072835 PMCID: PMC7550183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The spectrum and magnitude of changes in dermatology practice induced by the COVID-19 pandemic have not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the immediate and long-term effects of the pandemic on dermatology practice on a large scale, including the clinical activity of participants, frequency and types of procedures used, and teledermatology (TD) use. METHODS This web-based, global survey included 733 dermatologists. The primary outcomes are percentages of respondents providing in-person consultations, hospital service, and TD and performing procedures. Factors in logistic regression models that may influence the odds ratio (OR) for TD use during pandemic and for future use also were analyzed. RESULTS The percentages of respondents providing in-person consultations (46.6% vs. 100% before the pandemic) and hospital service (27% vs. 52.8% before the pandemic) as well as performing procedures (25.6% vs. 100% before the pandemic) decreased, whereas practicing TD increased three-fold (75.2% vs. 26.1% before the pandemic) during the pandemic (p < .001 for each). Practice location was associated with TD use during the pandemic and with its expected use in the future (p < .001 for both), with North American respondents indicating the highest use. TD use during the pandemic showed a positive correlation with TD use before the pandemic, performing procedures and, more specifically, with biopsies of suspicious pigmented lesions during the pandemic (p < .001 for each). TD use before the pandemic was the most powerful predictor of TD use during the pandemic (OR: 16.47; 95% confidence interval, 7.12-38.06). More than two third of participants (68.6%) expect to use TD in the future. The factor with the largest increase in OR on the expectation of future TD use was >1000 COVID-19 cases in the country (OR: 3.80; 95% confidence interval, 2.33-6.21). CONCLUSION This survey indicates a profound immediate effect of the pandemic on dermatology practice. The pandemic appears to have substantially contributed to an increased use of TD in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Bhargava
- Department of Dermatology, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India
| | - Charles McKeever
- Department of Dermatology, University of Panama Medical School and Social Security Hospital, Panama City, Panama
| | - George Kroumpouzos
- Department of Dermatology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
- Department of Dermatology, Medical School of Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil
- GK Dermatology, PC, S Weymouth, MA, United States
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Aşkın Ö, Özkoca D, Uzunçakmak TK, Serdaroğlu S. Evaluation of the alopecia areata patients on tofacitinib treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dermatol Ther 2021; 34:e14746. [PMID: 33405372 PMCID: PMC7883269 DOI: 10.1111/dth.14746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Tofacitinib is a Janus Kinase 3 inhibitor that is used in the treatment of alopecia areata. We recommended our alopecia areata patients to discontinue their tofacitinib treatment during the COVID‐19 pandemic for an average of 80 days. We aimed to evaluate the drug use and the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection status of alopecia areata patients; and the relationships of recurrence to age, gender, treatment duration, and tofacitinib discontinuation. One‐hundred and ninety‐one (61.4%) patients were off the drug and 120 (38.6%) were on therapy during the pandemic. The relationship between drug discontinuation due to the COVID‐19 pandemic and recurrence was statistically significant (P < .001). Statistically significant relationships of age (P = .013) and treatment duration (P < .001) to recurrence were also found. The change in the SALT score differed between the patients on therapy and off therapy during the pandemic (P < .001). A significant negative correlation was found between the change in the SALT score and treatment duration: the spearman correlation test P = .018. We concluded that the patients may continue to the tofacitinib therapy during the rest of the COVID‐19 pandemic if the benefit outweighed the risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özge Aşkın
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology and Venerology, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Defne Özkoca
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology and Venerology, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Kevser Uzunçakmak
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology and Venerology, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Server Serdaroğlu
- Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology and Venerology, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Istanbul, Turkey
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