Editor’s Note: The adage about teaching an “old dog†and “new tricks†took an unexpected twist in Denver during the annual meeting of the American Association of Dermatologists. Turning 68 in May, this “old dog†didn’t learn a new trick; he learned a new word: iatrogenic. As published in The Road Less Traveled… (April 15, 2014, page 11) […]
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02.04.09 MisDX —Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine Welcome There are probably no cognitive tasks more challenging than diagnosis in medicine. There are over 10,000 known diseases and this list grows every year. Being able to match a patient’s problems to one of these entities requires a remarkable ability to synthesize information and integrate this
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From the Editor… According to an article written by Alexandra Sufferlin, a writer and producer for Time Healthland and published on April 24, 2013, diagnostic errors are the most common type of medical mistake. In fact, missed diagnoses out-ranked medication overdoses and surgical mistakes in causing the most patient harm. She writes: When Dr. David
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2013 PRP Biopsy Poll  During the summer of 2013, a total of 487 PRP patients were polled by email and given an opportunity to participate in a first-of-its-kind PRP Biopsy Poll. Remarkably, a total of 256 invitees (52.6%) shared their biopsy experiences and/or recollections. Dx with no biopsy ordered: 7.8% Dx with no contradictory
What did we learn from the 2013 PRP Biopsy Poll? Read More »
Editor’s Note: A skin biopsy is routinely performed in the dermatologist’s office. Preparation ✽   Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to medications, and especially if you have had any reactions to local anesthetics, such as lidocaine or novocaine, or to iodine cleaning solutions, such as Betadine.44. ✽   Inform your doctor if you
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What is my long-term outlook based on Type? The long-term prognosis for PRP is not set in stone. However, there are some guidelines that dermatologists feel comfortable treating as Gospel. Suffice it to say that there has been insufficient research to be able to predict with any precision, when a PRP journey will end. In
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How to find a PRP-savvy Dermatologist It has been estimated that only one in 20 dermatologists will diagnose or treat pityriasis rubra pilaris during their professional careers. While that estimate may be totally bogus, we can say without fear of contradiction that very few dermatologists will consider themselves PRP savvy. There are at least four reasons
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Treatment options for PRP There is no cure for PRP. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to relieve the symptoms. According to the National Organization of Rare Diseases: “PRP tends to follow a natural waxing and waning course, with episodes in which there is periodic worsening (exacerbation) or cessation (remission) of symptoms.” Source: NORD PRP
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Editor’s Note:  While all patients with PRP share a common core of symptoms, the specific symptoms that patients experience may vary dramatically. PRP causes pink, red, or orange-red scaly patches on the skin — usually everywhere, but not always. But that is just the beginning. Each PRP patient diagnosed with PRP — and their caregiver
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 Why is it so difficult to diagnose PRP? Dan M, Rutland, Vermont, a dermatologist, was diagnosed with PRP in July, 2015 and is currently in remission. He posted the following to fellow members of the PRP Facebook Support Group. “PRP can mimic other much more common skin like contact dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. A
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