Conference Overview
The annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology was held from March 7 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. It brought together clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and other individuals interested in dermatology, focusing on highlighting recent advances in the diagnosis and management of dermatological conditions.
Key Presentations
Presentation 1: Insulin Resistance, Hyperinsulinemia, and Inflammatory Skin Diseases
Presenter
Joshua Cook, M.D., from Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.
Core Insights
Targeting insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia is crucial not only for treating obesity and diabetes but also potentially for improving metabolism-related inflammatory skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa) independently.
There is a close epidemiologic link between obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory skin diseases, particularly psoriasis.
The mechanistic basis of this connection is likely insulin resistance and/or hyperinsulinemia, which may drive excessive proliferation and inflammation of skin lesions in psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases—even in the presence of systemic insulin resistance.
Clinical Recommendations and Ongoing Research
Ongoing clinical studies are being conducted to further understand the role of insulin action in psoriasis.
Healthcare providers should consider screening patients with overweight/obesity and inflammatory skin diseases using hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, and lipid profiles.
Treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists may improve inflammatory skin disease activity (an area of active research).
Metformin and pioglitazone may also have roles in treating inflammatory skin diseases in select patients.
Presentation 2: The Connection Between Itch and Aging
Presenter
Daniel Charles Butler, M.D., from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson.
Core Insights
Itch is highly prevalent in the older adult population.
Multiple etiologic factors contribute to itch in older adults, including the immune system, skin barrier, and cutaneous nerves—all of which are uniquely affected by the aging process.
Clinical Perspectives
Clinicians should recognize itch as a real, impactful, yet targetable symptom and disease.
The link between aging and itch enables targeted treatment of contributing etiologies. For example, itch in older adults is often multifactorial, involving immunologic and neuropathic changes, allowing for treatments that address multiple contributing factors.
Disclosure
Dr. Butler disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
