The FDA has a rigorous premarket approval process for Class III medical devices that includes requiring clinical data on safety and efficacy. However, after the device is approved, manufacturers can make small changes simply by filing supplemental applications which are not subject to the same process. A recent study examined whether these small changes might …
April 18, 2018 The American Academy of PAs (AAPA) and the Society of Dermatology PAs (SDPA) today criticized an article published in JAMA Dermatology as fundamentally flawed with too small a sample size to be representative of the PA profession. The article, entitled “Accuracy of Skin Cancer Diagnosis by Physician Assistants Compared with Dermatologists in …
Devices promising fat reduction using noninvasive techniques are attractive to consumers, but do they actually work? A recent clinical trial evaluated one such FDA-approved ultrasound device to see effects on thigh fat thickness and circumference reduction. The device, marketed under the name “UltraShape” is currently approved for reducing abdominal fat. In this study, the device …
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are used to plump up thin lines, deep expression wrinkles, and improve the global descent of the facial soft tissue. Typically, they are administered with a syringe or cannula and providers are instructed to discard any remaining filler left in the application device. However, fillers are expensive, so saving the leftovers …
We know that the body’s microbiome, that is the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that inhabit the human body, can affect the host cells and immunity. Therefore, understanding the interplay between host cells and resident bacteria is important to recognize how the microbiome interacts with dermatological conditions. This knowledge helps to further refine how we approach …
Changes in the nails can be attributed to psoriasis. Using nail clippings to confirm a psoriasis diagnosis or to rule out a nail fungus is useful because nail clipping is painless and can be repeated as often as needed. A recent study used two different indices that classify nail changes to evaluate clippings from children …