Ep. 198 "Using teledermatology to reach underserved communities"

In this episode, rheumatologist and clinician-scientist Dr. Vinod Chandran discusses his research into a diagnostic test for psoriatic arthritis with NPF CSMO Dr. Guy Eakin.  Key learnings: Early diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is critical for better outcomes. PsA is often difficult to recognize because symptoms vary widely and can resemble common age-related joint or back pain. Earlier identification and treatment can reduce joint damage, improve quality of life, lower chronic pain burden, and potentially decrease cardiovascular and mental health complications. The heterogeneity of PsA makes developing a diagnostic test especially challenging. PsA presents differently across patients, sexes, ethnic groups, and stages of disease. Some patients develop arthritis after psoriasis, while others may develop it before or even without obvious psoriasis, making a single broadly applicable diagnostic test difficult to create. A multi-omic approach shows promise for distinguishing PsA from psoriasis alone. Dr. Chandran's team evaluated multiple biological data sources, including gene expression, microRNAs, proteins, and metabolites. Their research identified a signature of approximately 200 markers that could differentiate patients with PsA from those with psoriasis only, demonstrating the feasibility of a biomarker-based diagnostic test. The future of precision medicine in psoriatic disease depends on reliable biomarkers. Beyond diagnosis, biomarkers could help predict disease severity, guide treatment selection, and improve long-term outcomes by identifying the right therapy for the right patient at the right time. Achieving this will require continued collaboration, validation across diverse populations, and development of clinically practical, cost-effective tests. Looking for more information related to his research? Read more about the NPF PsA Diagnostic Test Grant outcomes: https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/psoriatic-arthritis-diagnostic-test-grant/ This publication is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $375,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.  

Hear from dermatologist Dr. Ron Prussick and cardiologist Dr. Brittany Weber as they discuss the emerging role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the management of patients with psoriasis. This conversation explores the intersection of psoriatic disease, obesity, and cardiometabolic health, and how these therapies may support improved outcomes. Learn more about the National Psoriasis Foundation's GLP-1 Primer for Dermatologists: https://www.psoriasis.org/glp-1-primer-for-dermatologists/ Key Takeaways Patients with higher BMI have a lower likelihood of achieving PASI 90 and 100 and a higher risk of developing PsA and other comorbidities. Psoriasis is linked to increased cardiovascular risk, and GLP-1 therapies can address multiple drivers at once, including adiposity, cardiometabolic dysfunction, and inflammatory burden. Patients with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis who also have metabolic comorbidities such as obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease, or diabetes, as well as related conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa, may be strong candidates for adding GLP-1 agonists alongside standard psoriasis therapies. This podcast is supported in part by Lilly. 

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Blauvelt and Dr. G. Scott Drew talk with NPF CSMO Dr. Guy Eakin about when—and whether—TB testing is needed before initiating psoriasis therapies. Listeners can read the NPF/IPC position paper referenced here: https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(25)03232-3/fulltext   Key Takeaways: 1. Data show that the progression from latent tuberculosis infection to active disease during psoriasis treatment with IL-17 or IL-23 is rare. 2. TB testing may still be appropriate for specific patients and in certain clinical conditions. 3. Updated NPF and IPC joint position statement, published in JAAD, aims to drive practice change.     This podcast is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $375,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.  

Hear from Dr. Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, professor and chair of Dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences, discuss the innovative teledermatology psoriasis clinic held at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. He is joined by Reverends Kendrick, Ph.D., and Karen Curry, as they discuss why they've opened their church to this program and how they have made this relationship work.  This episode is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

NPF CSMO, Dr. Guy Eakin, sat down with Dr. Henry Lim, Senior Vice President of Academic Programs at Henry Ford Health Centers and internationally recognized dermatology expert,  to discuss clinic and home phototherapy.  Listen now to learn more about how to access it for your patients, and how to manage challenges with adherence.   This episode was brought to you today by Phothera, a leader in phototherapy solutions. 

How do you define on-treatment remission? As Dr. April Armstrong, M.D., MPH, Professor and Chief of Dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Dr. Wilson Liao, M.D., Professor and Associate Vice Chair of Research in the University of California, San Fransico Department of Dermatology, that question was not easily answered. Listen to learn about the new definition, how the working group arrived at it, and how it will benefit patients, payers, and other stakeholders.

Hear from Dr. Mark Lebwohl, MD, Dean for Clinical Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology, and Dr. Jason Hawkes, M.D., M.S., co-owner, CSO, and principal investigator at the Oregon Medical Research Center, discuss the intersection of obesity, psoriasis, and GLP-1s. This podcast was brought to you by Lilly.

Dr. Amy Paller, pediatric dermatologist and clinical researcher at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, and Dr. Ronald Prussick, MD, dermatologist at the Washington Dermatology Center and Vice Chair of the NPF Medical Board, discuss psoriasis and eczema comorbidities in pediatric and adult patients. This podcast is presented in collaboration with the National Eczema Association.  This podcast is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $375,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Dr. Bruce Strober, MD, PhD, dermatologist and JPPA Editor-in-Chief, and Guy Eakin, PhD, Chief Science and Medical Officer at the NPF discuss the Journal of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis path to indexing and what it means for the research community moving forward.    This podcast is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $375,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Hear dermatologists Dr. Kristina Duffin, MD, MS, Professor and Chair of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Utah and Dr. Joel Gelfand, MD, MSCE, FAAD, Director, Psoriasis & Phototherapy Treatment Center at Penn, discuss the Light Treatment Effectiveness (LITE) Study and the data presented at the 2024 AAD Annual Meeting.  The LITE Study is funded with support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), an independent research institute authorized by Congress to fund comparative clinical effectiveness research that engages patients and other stakeholders in the research process. This study also benefited from the Daavlin Company's contribution of the phototherapy machines on behalf of this study. This podcast was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $351,404, with 2 percentage funded by CDC/HHS and $14.3 million amount and 98 percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.