Dermatologists’ Focus to Delve Below the Skin at Annual Conference

This content was produced independently by The American Journal of Managed Care^® and is not endorsed by the American Academy of Dermatology.

Investigators and clinicians in the field of dermatology will gather in New Orleans this week for the 2023 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, where sessions and posters will cover the latest research in skin disease—including its complex interactions with immunology, inflammation, and systems throughout the body.

Dermatological diseases are often viewed through a cosmetic lens, but as reflected in the agenda, symptoms on the skin can have an underlying medical etiology that must be addressed to correct the aesthetic appearance. One session, “Medical Problems With Cosmetic Overtones,” will explore diseases such as psoriasis and rosacea via case studies to highlight optimal treatment modalities that address both the medical and the cosmetic aspects. Another, “Skinternal Medicine,” will provide updates on cutaneous manifestations of systemic diseases.

In particular, several sessions and symposia will touch on both systemic and topical therapies to treat skin disorders that are thought to arise from immune system changes, such as atopic dermatitis and vitiligo. Presentation topics include advances in Janus kinase inhibitor therapy and selection of targeted treatments for inflammatory skin diseases.

Several discussions will focus on addressing unmet dermatological needs in diverse populations, including the growing awareness of how symptoms can manifest differently in skin of color. Beyond racial and ethnic differences, speakers will also describe the role of dermatology within gender-affirming care.

In addition to these presentations on clinical considerations for underserved groups, another session will harness information from the clinical data registry DataDerm to discuss disparities in treatment and outcomes of dermatological disease. Experts plan to discuss how real-world registries can be used to address differences in how patients experience disease and respond to therapy.

Another event drawing from real-world experience will be a forum in which speakers will present cases from safety-net hospitals in hopes of providing takeaways for dermatologists who may encounter challenging cases in their own practice and need to deliver the best care possible with limited resources.

As with many other medical conferences in recent years, the agenda boasts several events touching on the use of artificial or augmented intelligence. Specific highlights include a forum on how digital dermatopathology and artificial intelligence can transform the practice of dermatology, as well as a reminder of the potential of racial or ethnic bias resulting from the use of these tools in practice. Despite these caveats, another focus session promises a look at how digital tools can optimize efficiency and even joy for the practicing dermatologist.

The conference will conclude with a symposium on therapeutic and diagnostic pearls, which aims to provide clinical dermatologists—no matter their years of experience—with takeaways they can incorporate into routine clinical practice.