Dermatology
February 2004
TLDR Skin diseases are common and can significantly affect people's lives; better outcome measures and ethical clinical trials are needed to improve dermatology care.
The document from 2004 provides a comprehensive overview of dermatology, emphasizing the skin's role in health and the impact of skin disorders on individuals and society. It notes that skin diseases are common, affecting 20-30% of the population, and discusses the psychological effects of chronic conditions like psoriasis. The document covers the prevalence of skin conditions, the role of dermatologists, and the importance of clinical expertise in diagnosis and treatment, including the use of topical and non-pharmacological treatments. It also addresses the challenges in clinical trial design for dermatological conditions, the need for better management of chronic ulcers, and the limitations of current outcome measures in reflecting patient perspectives and clinical severity. The document advocates for more objective and patient-centered outcome measures, as well as the need for ethical considerations in clinical trials, particularly regarding the use of placebos. It calls for systematic reviews and pragmatic trials to inform clinical practice and improve patient care.
