Background: A needs assessment for patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) will support advancements in multidisciplinary care, treatment, research, advocacy, and philanthropy.

The use of nonstandardized and inadequately validated outcome measures in atopic eczema trials is a major obstacle to practising evidence-based dermatology. The Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative is an international multiprofessional group dedicated to atopic eczema outcomes research. In June 2011, the HOME initiative conducted a consensus study involving 43 individuals from 10 countries, representing different stakeholders (patients, clinicians, methodologists, pharmaceutical industry) to determine core outcome domains for atopic eczema trials, to define quality criteria for atopic eczema outcome measures and to prioritize topics for atopic eczema outcomes research. Delegates were given evidence-based information, followed by structured group discussion and anonymous consensus voting. Consensus was achieved to include clinical signs, symptoms, long-term control of flares and quality of life into the core set of outcome domains for atopic eczema trials. The HOME initiative strongly recommends including and reporting these core outcome domains as primary or secondary endpoints in all future atopic eczema trials. Measures of these core outcome domains need to be valid, sensitive to change and feasible. Prioritized topics of the HOME initiative are the identification/development of the most appropriate instruments for the four core outcome domains. HOME is open to anyone with an interest in atopic eczema outcomes research.

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We found an association between HS and diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome among a large community-based cohort of patients with HS. Clinicians should take into account that patients with HS may have one or more undiagnosed components of metabolic syndrome despite their young age. Thus, appropriate targeted screening is advised.

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00508547.

Background: Psoriasis severity categories have been important tools for clinicians to use in treatment decisions as well as to determine eligibility criteria for clinical studies. However, owing to the heterogeneity of severity classifications and their lack of consideration for the impact of psoriasis involvement of special areas or past treatment history, patients may be miscategorized, which can lead to undertreatment of psoriasis.Objective: To develop a consensus statement on the classification of psoriasis severity.Methods: A modified Delphi approach was developed by the International Psoriasis Council to define psoriasis severity.Results: After completion of the exercise, 7 severity definitions were preferentially ranked. This most preferred statement rejects the mild, moderate, and severe categories in favor of a dichotomous definition: Psoriasis patients should be classified as either candidates for topical therapy or candidates for systemic

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Previous reports showed associations between psoriasis and chronic diseases. Little is known about the association between osteoporosis and psoriasis. The goal of the study was to assess the association between psoriasis and osteoporosis in a population-based case-control study, utilizing the database of a large health-care provider organization in Israel, Clalit Health Services. Patients (aged 51-90 years) diagnosed with psoriasis were compared with a sample of age- and sex-matched enrollees without psoriasis regarding the prevalence of osteoporosis. Data on health-related lifestyles and other comorbidities were collected. The study included 7,936 psoriasis cases and 14,835 controls. The prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly greater in males with psoriasis compared with the control group (3.1 vs 1.7%, P<0.001, odds ratio (OR)=1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.44-2.39) and slightly greater in females with psoriasis (22.3 vs 20.2%, P=0.008, OR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.25). A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that after controlling for confounders, psoriasis was significantly associated with osteoporosis in males (adjusted OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.31-2.19, P<0.001). The weak association between psoriasis and osteoporosis in females lost statistical significance in a multivariate model (adjusted OR=1.09, 95% CI: 0.98-1.21, P=0.100). Psoriasis was found to be associated with osteoporosis among males, but not among females.