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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2004
Dermatology Nursing News Briefs
Dermatology Nursing Series Article Named to Top 10 List
A Dermatology Nursing journal article, "Assessing Pain in Older Adults," was named as one of the top 10 most read articles on the "Medscape Nurses Greatest Hits of 2003." Published in the June 2003 issue of the journal, it is part of a regular series provided by The Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing. The "Try This" Series provides easy-to-use tools that can be implemented quickly into clinical practices. For more information about The Hartford Institute visit www.hartfordign.org or e-mail hartford.ign@nyu.edu. To view the article on Medscape, visit www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466122. (Try This: Assessing Pain in Older Adults, June 2003, Dermatology Nursing, www.dermatologynursing.net)
Treatments for Immunobullous Diseases
Several therapies are now available to treat immunobullous diseases, however there are few studies comparing their effectiveness. In the February 2004 issue of Dermatology Nursing, Sandrine Reynaert, MD, MSc, and Martin M. Black, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, explain each therapy and evaluate their efficacy.
The medications used to treat immunobullous disorders can be classified into rapid and slow acting, topical and systemic, or immunosuppressant/immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory. Therapies include steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis, azathioprine, cyclosporine, and more.
According to Reynaert and Black, the severity of disease and responses to potential side effects must be evaluated in each patient and tailored to meet individual needs. The authors also write that more studies comparing different treatment regimens are needed to manage the disease more effectively in the future. (Sandrine Reynaert, MD, MSc, & Martin M. Black, MD, FRCP, FRCPath, Treating Immunobullous Diseases: An Update, February 2004, Dermatology Nursing, www.dermatologynursing.net)
Electron Beam Therapy to Treat CTCL
Total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT) is a technically complicated treatment used to manage mycosis fungoides (MF), the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). In the February 2004 issue of Dermatology Nursing, Margaret M. Reavely, AAS, RN, and Lynn D. Wilson, MD, MPH, review a variety of technical and clinically oriented issues relating to TSEBT and its effects for patients.
CTCL results from the development of abnormal T-lymphocytes, and therefore is a cancer of the lymphocytes (lymphoma). TSEBT is used when there are many skin lesions covering a significant proportion of the skin surface. At the authors' institution, the treatment is given on 4 consecutive days for 9 consecutive weeks. The depth of penetration of the electron is minimal so only the skin is effectively treated. Despite the relatively intense treatment schedule, with appropriate clinical management, the therapy is very well tolerated on an outpatient basis.
According to Reavely and Wilson, TSEBT is an extremely effective management tool for treating CTCL. They also concluded that ongoing nursing evaluation and clinical support are critical for a successful treatment program. (Margaret M. Reavely, AAS, RN, & , Lynn D. Wilson, MD, MPH, Total Skin Electron Beam Therapy and Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: A Clinical Guide for Patients and Staff, February 2004, Dermatology Nursing, www.dermatologynursing.net)
More Research Needed For Treatment of Intertrigo
Intertrigo is an inflammatory dermatosis of the skin folds, for which a large variety of topical medications may be recommended. In the February 2004 issue of Dermatology Nursing, Patriek Mistiaen, MSN, RN, and co-authors performed a systematic literature review to find scientific evidence for preventing and treating intertrigo within the nursing domain.
Studies were analyzed on content and methodologic quality. Most studies concerned treatments with antifungals or disinfectants in heterogeneous research samples, with only small subsamples of people with intertrigo. The analyzed studies provided no scientific evidence for any type of nursing prevention or treatment strategy.
According to Mistiaen and co-authors, the nursing profession lacks a research basis for a basic nursing problem. They concluded that there is a great need for research on preventative measures for this disease. (Patriek Mistiaen, MSN, RN, and co-authors, Preventing and Treating Intertrigo in the Large Skin Folds of Adults: A Literature Overview, February 2004, Dermatology Nursing, www.dermatologynursing.net)
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The Dermatology Nurses' Association is a professional nursing organization comprised of a diverse group of individuals committed to quality care through sharing knowledge and expertise. DNAs mission is to develop and promote education and nursing leadership in dermatologic care.