Primary Care Dermatology Literature April 2026
Skin Research in Primary Care
Yamada Y, Yoshihara S.
J Dermatol. 2026 Mar 30.
Abstract: This study evaluated the clinical utility of serum TARC levels as an objective biomarker in infants with atopic dermatitis (AD) under 6 months of age in pediatric primary care practice, a population for which evidence remains limited. A retrospective search identified 61 infants (median age: 4 months) diagnosed with AD using The UK Working Party criteria and the Japanese guidelines for atopic dermatitis. These findings suggested a strong correlation between serum TARC levels and Objective SCORAD, and proposed the cutoff value for serum TARC demonstrating mild and moderate-to-severe AD was 2100 pg/mL derived using ROC analysis. Furthermore, in the group classified as the moderate-to-severe group based on the cutoff value, the period required to the duration until discontinuation of topical anti-inflammatory drugs was significantly longer than in the mild group. The recurrence rate of AD up to age 5 was significantly higher in this group than in the mild group. It is interesting to note that the incidence rate of Japanese cedar pollen allergy up to age 5 was significantly higher in the moderate-to-severe group. Based on these findings, it is hoped that measuring serum TARC in early infants with AD will be clinically useful for assessing the severity and prognosis.
Anriot J, Durand M, Duru G, Andremasse C, Thomas L.
Dermatol Pract Concept. 2026 Jan 30;16(1):6281.
No abstract available
Digital Health Behavior in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Internet and Social Media Use Patterns.
Kayıran MA, Şerbetçi B, Aksoy H.
Dermatol Pract Concept. 2026 Jan 30;16(1):5756.
Objective: This study aimed to investigate CSU patients' Internet usage habits, including their search terms, trusted sources, and whether they share this information with their physicians.
Conclusions: CSU patients frequently research their condition online but often conceal this from their doctors. Attempts to contact physicians via social media were lower among omalizumab users, possibly due to regular follow-ups. Enhancing dermatological follow-up and online educational resources could improve patient engagement and treatment adherence.
Fossum M, Rebnord IK, Eliassen KER, Larsen L, Rørtveit G, Wensaas KA, Emberland KE.
Objective: To investigate incidence and patient characteristics of SSTI episodes in daytime general practice (DGP) and out-of-hours (OOH) services in Norway.
Conclusion: The incidence of SSTIs in DGP and OOH services in Norway declined over the study period, except for elderly and persons with multimorbidity. As the population is increasingly older and multimorbid, such infections may represent a growing challenge in the future.
Diehl K, Stoos E, Becker A, Orfaly VE, Nelson J, Gillespie J, Ng J, Tobey T, Latour E, Ludzik J, Berry EG, Geller AC, Jacobe H, Leitenberger J, McClanahan D, Tran J, Prasad S, Mengden-Koon S, Nelson KC, Petering R, Verdieck A, Savory S, Smith EH, Tofte S, Weinstock MA, White K, Wisco O, Curiel-Lewandrowski C, Swetter SM, Witkowski AM, Ferris L, Black S, Xu R, Xu S, Leachman S.
Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 23;13:1827799.
No abstract available
Becker AL, Nelson JH, Verdieck-Devlaeminck A, Berry EG, Orfaly VE, Stoos ER, Tran J, Latour E, Sahni VN, Xu S, Babcock M, Bar A, Becevic M, Chan C, Chisholm D, Diehl K, Edison K, Ferris LK, Foltz EA, Geller AC, Jacobe H, Johnson MM, Kinghorn P, Leitenberger J, Ludzik J, McClanahan D, Mengden-Koon S, Nelson K, Petering R, Prasad S, Roscher A, Savory S, Smith EH, Swetter SM, Tofte S, Weinstock MA, White K, Wisco O, Witkowski A, Leachman SA.
Front Med (Lausanne). 2026 Mar 24;13:1827805
No abstract available
Mason KJ, Jordan KP, Bailey J, Bajpai R, Clarson LE, Faux-Nightingale A, Hadley-Barrows T, Haines JK, Harrison R, Helliwell T, Hider SL, Jinks C, Knight N, Mallen CD, Welsh VK, Burton CL.
BMJ Med. 2026 Mar 18;5(1):e002201.
Objectives: To examine trends and variation in the use of advice and guidance compared with direct referrals in primary care, and to assess potential inequalities across population groups.
Conclusions: The study showed that the use of advice and guidance has increased substantially since 2015, accelerated by the covid-19 pandemic and maintained after, but has not displaced direct referrals. Direct referral often preceded advice and guidance, raising questions about efficiency and equity. Use of advice and guidance was higher among older, white, and less deprived individuals, whereas minority ethnic and more socially deprived groups were more likely to have direct referrals after advice and guidance, suggesting potential delays in access to specialist care. Policy should prioritise dealing with these inequalities and evaluate whether advice and guidance reduces unnecessary referrals or delays access to specialist care.
Increasing skin cancer prevention education in primary care.
Orr A.
Nurse Pract. 2026 Apr 1;51(4):6-9.
No abstract available.
Zhang R, Xu Y, Li B, Dregan A, Griffiths CEM, Zanesco S, Maruthappu T, Gibson R, Hall WL.
Clin Nutr. 2026 Apr;59:106621.
Background and aims: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that adversely affects quality of life. Given limited evidence to inform dietary recommendations for psoriasis prevention, this study used data from the UK Biobank to examine associations between diet quality and incident psoriasis, and whether genetic susceptibility moderates this relationship.
Conclusion: Individuals with the highest adherence to a plant-based dietary pattern were at lower risk of incident psoriasis in this large UK cohort, with no evidence that this association differed by genetic risk.
Iyer S, Swiderski M, Vinogradova Y, Knaggs RD, Harman KE, Harwood RH, Prasad V, Persson MSM, Layfield C, Figueredo G, Gran S.
Clin Exp Dermatol. 2026 Mar 31:llag144.
Objectives: To identify patterns of drug prescriptions, comorbidities and sociodemographic characteristics of people with BP prior to diagnosis.
Conclusions: Penicillinase-resistant penicillins and statins were more often prescribed prior to BP diagnosis. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for skin reactions in older people following these medications, particularly penicillinase-resistant penicillins. Due to low BP prevalence, we do not suggest preventative discontinuation of highlighted drugs. We also propose checking for skin reactions following a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
Huang J, Chen W, Ma L, Wen Z, Shi M, Hong F, Hou S.
Patient Prefer Adherence. 2026 Mar 25;20:584646.
Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of TCS phobia among urban primary care patients in Shenzhen, identify associated factors, and evaluate its influence on treatment preferences and adherence behaviors.
Conclusion: TCS phobia is common among educated urban primary care patients and is driven primarily by incorrect beliefs about systemic toxicity. These fears have direct, negative consequences on treatment adherence. Current communication strategies appear insufficient. Patient-centered counseling that directly addresses misconceptions and emphasizes the distinction between topical and systemic corticosteroids is urgently needed in primary care practice.
Nessler K, Studzinski K, Klemenc-Ketiš Z, Rogers HL, Eide TB, Ares Blanco S, Lingner H, Kreitmayer S, González-Lama J, Van Poel E, Kafadar D, Hoffmann K, Frese T, Assenova R, Ungan M, Vuletić G, Zelko E, Megallón-Botaya R, Tomičić M, Lopez FM, Tsimtsiou Z, Mora MJ, Mahtani V, Wójtowicz E, Windak A, Petriček G.
Eur J Gen Pract. 2026 Apr 7;32(1):2652678.
Objectives: The study aims to explore the factors associated with perceived stress among European GPs, including attitudes towards person-centred care (PCC), demographics, and professional characteristics.
Conclusion: The findings have implications for interventions to reduce GP stress, such as training programs promoting PCC, optimising patient contact rates, and providing targeted support for GPs caring for vulnerable patients. Further research is needed to explore these factors' complex interplay and impact on GP wellbeing.
Arcuri D, Moustaqim-Barrette A, Sava R, Litvinov IV.
JAAD Int. 2026 Jan 27;25:89-91.
No abstract available
van der Gang LF, Zuithoff NPA, Haeck IM, Harbers VEM, Stadhouders-Keet S, Politiek K, Oosting AJ, van Lynden-van Nes AMT, Lam HY, van Tuyll van Serooskerken AM, Stewart SM, Gostynski A, Flinterman A, Velstra B, Touwslager WRH, van Erp FC, Schuttelaar MLA, de Bruin-Weller MS, de Graaf M.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2026 Apr 13.
Objectives: To compare the real-world effectiveness and safety of dupilumab and tralokinumab in AD.
Conclusions: In this real-world comparison, dupilumab provided superior effectiveness compared with tralokinumab. In responders continuing treatment, EASI and NRS-pruritus differences were small. More substantial differences were observed when treatment targets EASI ≤ 7 and NRS-pruritus ≤ 4, and discontinuation rates were taken into account.
Dogan S, Gül Ü, Aypak C.
Korean J Fam Med. 2026 Apr 13.
Background: Although family physicians frequently encounter dermatological conditions, the effect of dermatology rotations on their diagnostic competency remains underexplored. We aimed to determine the effect of a mandatory 1-month dermatology rotation on the diagnostic accuracy of family medicine (FM) residents for skin lesions.
Conclusion: Completing a dermatology rotation improves the diagnostic accuracy of FM residents for skin lesions, underscoring the value of structured dermatological training within FM curricula.
Consultation circumstances leading to skin cancer detection in Australian general practice.
Majri AL, Gilkes L, Arnold-Reed DE.
J Prim Health Care. 2026 Apr 10.
Introduction: General practitioners (GPs) diagnose and manage most skin cancers in Australia, often within time-limited consultations involving multimorbid patients. There is limited evidence describing the consultation circumstances in which skin cancers are detected.
Discussion: Skin cancer detection commonly occurs within complex consultations addressing multiple competing health issues, supporting opportunistic assessment and risk-based follow-up in general practice.
Garcia-Creighton E, Thapar M, Felan NA, Garcia-Hernandez S, Tietbohl C, Kohn LL.
JAMA Dermatol. 2026 Apr 8:e260483.
Importance: Dermatology care is disproportionately limited for racially and ethnically minoritized patients. This study explores family perspectives to identify barriers and facilitators to pediatric dermatology care.
Conclusions and relevance: This qualitative study identified addressable barriers and facilitators to pediatric dermatology care for racially minoritized families. The findings suggest that efforts within the health care system to broaden awareness of dermatology, improve system navigation, and increase representation may advance equitable care.
Muñoz M, Salameh P, Zajac M, Fomina D, Kovalkova E, Bobrikova E, Andrenova G, Kasperska-Zając A, Aulenbacher F, Herzog LS, Grekowitz EM, Buttgereit T, Giménez-Arnau AM, Planella-Fontanillas N, Pesque D, Puertolas M, Kulthanan K, Tuchinda P, Bizjak M, Košnik M, Khoshkhui M, Azad FJ, Meshkova R, Savchenko S, Makris M, Papapostolou N, Peter JG, Day C, McDougall C, Abuzakouk M, Bouillet L, Bauer A, Parisi CAS, Gregoriou S, Staubach-Renz P, Dissemond J, Kocatürk E, van Doorn MBA, Asero R, Grattan C, Thomsen SF, Du-Thanh A, Hackler Y, Weller K, Kolkhir P.
Clin Exp Allergy. 2026 Apr;56(4):411-420.
Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) diagnosis includes the patient's clinical history and physical examination. However, atypical presentations or misdiagnosis can lead to diagnostic delay (DD).
Conclusions: Diagnosis of CU is delayed in one out of four patients. Greater awareness of the guideline-recommended CU classification, clinical presentation, and diagnostic work-up can facilitate CU diagnosis.
Nikhil Dwivedi, Nicholas Van Rooij, Geoffrey Spurling, Claudette Sissy Tyson, Sonya Egert, Erin McMeniman, Noel Hayman
Australas J Dermatol. 2026 Apr 20. doi: 10.1111/ajd.70128. Online ahead of print.
Abstract Background: Skin disease is a major cause of morbidity in Australia and a leading reason for primary care visits. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience a disproportionate burden of skin conditions but face barriers to accessing culturally safe specialist services. This study described patient demographics, presentations and experiences at a new community-based dermatology clinic.
Conclusions: A community-based, culturally tailored clinic was perceived by patients as more accessible, culturally safe and responsive to their needs. Supporting similar models may help close the gap in dermatological care and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Improving Primary Care of Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis: An Analysis of Referrals and Educational Need
Bianca Te, Sunil Kalia, Allison Gregory, Wingfield Rehmus
Pediatr Dermatol. 2026 Apr 20. doi: 10.1111/pde.70216. Online ahead of print.
Abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common pediatric skin condition, yet many referrals to pediatric dermatology centers are for mild cases that are manageable in primary care. This quality improvement study evaluated 909 referrals to British Columbia Children's Hospital (BCCH), assessing the appropriateness of all AD referrals using a draft BCCH Pediatric AD Care Pathway and comparing each referral to subsequent pediatric dermatology consultations in an effort to establish baseline for future efforts to improve the referral pathway and inform educational resources. Among AD referrals, 47.5% did not meet pathway criteria, most commonly due to lack of treatment mentioned (49.5%), use of inadequate topical corticosteroid potency (34.0%), or absence of topical corticosteroid use (11.7%). Notably, over 70% of referring providers submitted only one referral to BCCH, suggesting that point-of-care educational resources outlining management and referral criteria may be more effective than traditional courses in supporting primary care providers, reducing unnecessary referrals, and improving access to pediatric dermatology.
Julia Castro Martín, Andrea Isabel Rodríguez-Sanna, Clara Ureña-Paniego, Alberto Soto-Moreno, José Juan Jiménez Moleón, Salvador Arias-Santiago, Alejandro Molina-Leyva
Dermatology. 2026 Apr 18:1-14. doi: 10.1159/000551423. Online ahead of print.
Abstract Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in which diagnosis and treatment may modify the course. Teleconsultation (TC) between primary care (PC) and dermatology can expedite referrals. We aimed to (1) assess PC recognition of HS using TC free-text terminology and its impact, and (2) determine concordance between TC and in-person evaluation in staging (Hurley, International HS Severity Score System [IHS4]) and treatment.
Conclusions: Half of PC referrals omit the HS label, in mild or atypical forms. TC tends to underestimate severity and yields 50% therapeutic concordance, risking under- or overtreatment. Strengthening PC education and combining TC with physical examination and US may improve HS care.
Karan Gupta, Caroline Thurston, Harvey McGarry, Angela Bennett
Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2026 Apr 17:27:e49. doi: 10.1017/S1463423626101169.
Abstract Background: Efficient triage in general practice is critical to optimize appointment allocation and minimize patient delays. Delays in receiving clinical information, such as photographs or symptom questionnaires, lead to unnecessary consultations and inefficiencies. This study evaluated the feasibility and impact of a structured pre-triage protocol requesting photos and questionnaires for common conditions (skin, eye, tonsillitis, and urinary tract infections).
Conclusion: A structured pre-triage protocol is feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective in enhancing triage efficiency, particularly for visually assessable conditions like skin and eye presentations. By enabling earlier access to essential information, such protocols may reduce unnecessary consultations, improve workflow, and support clinician confidence.
Kelly Schweim, Alicia L Zagel, Amanda Brummel
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2026 Apr 13:103115. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2026.103115.
Abstract Objective: To describe the implementation of a program embedding CMM pharmacists within 3 specialty inflammatory clinics.
Conclusion: Pharmacist-led CMM visits, traditionally rooted in primary care, can be successfully integrated into specialty clinics to bolster health maintenance needs and resolve MTPs to help optimize therapies, while maintaining patient satisfaction rates. This model of pharmacy supports broader adoption of CMM within specialty care, offering potential benefits to patients, providers, and payers such as reduced healthcare costs, decreased provider administrative burden, and improved patient outcomes.
Dorra Bouazzi, Søren Lophaven, Paa Gyasi Hagan, Sofia Botvid, et al.
Br J Dermatol. 2026 Apr 17;194(5):869-878. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljag005.
Abstract Objectives: To evaluate and provide a summary of the diagnostic accuracy measures (pooled sensitivity and specificity) of the screening questionnaire employed in the GHiSA GPS.
Conclusions: Despite substantial variations in diagnostic estimates around the world, the pooled analysis indicated that the accuracy of the GHiSA screening questionnaire was excellent. The screening questionnaire may prove useful for triage, ensuring that only individuals fitting the criteria for HS see specialized dermatological care.
Topical corticosteroid use and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a nationwide cohort study
Ha-Na Kim, Yoonjong Bae, Hoseob Kim, Ji Hyun Lee, Sang-Wook Song
Br J Dermatol. 2026 Apr 28:ljag165. doi: 10.1093/bjd/ljag165. Online ahead of print.
Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between TCS exposure-considering potency, cumulative duration, and prescription frequency-and the prospective risk of developing T2DM.
Conclusions: In this large nationwide cohort, overall TCS use was not associated with incident T2DM. However, the use of high-potency formulations, longer cumulative duration, and frequent prescriptions were associated with an increased risk of T2DM. These findings underscore the importance of prudent prescribing and targeted metabolic monitoring in patients requiring potent or long-term TCS therapy.
Asma Al Shidhani, Youssef Elsawy Mohamed, Jumana Al Saraii, Asma Al Salmani, Ibrahim Al-Zakwani, Zalikha Al Balushi, Maisa Al Kiyumi, Abdulaziz Al-Mahrezi
Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 27. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-50567-2. Online ahead of print.
Abstract: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of oral azithromycin with oral doxycycline in moderate acne vulgaris and to assess the corresponding changes in patient-reported quality-of-life. In this open label, randomised controlled trial conducted at a university student clinic, Muscat, Oman, 163 patients with moderate and severe acne vulgaris were assigned equally to receive either oral azithromycin or oral doxycycline. Treatments were administered over a three-month period with monthly clinical assessments. Acne severity was quantified using a validated acne severity scale, and quality of life was measured at baseline and at study end via a standardised questionnaire. Analyses were performed using univariate statistics. The cohort comprised 163 participants (mean age 20.2 ± 1.7 years; 67.3% female). Both groups experienced significant and comparable reductions in acne severity after three months. Parallel, statistically significant improvements were observed in quality-of-life scores across domains related to symptoms, emotional well-being, and social functioning. Oral azithromycin and doxycycline demonstrate equivalent efficacy in reducing moderate acne vulgaris and both confer substantial enhancements in patients' quality of life. These findings support either antibiotic as an appropriate option for addressing both the dermatological and psychosocial burdens of moderate acne.
J González Fernández, M Ara-Martín, A P Ruiz-Cortegoso, L Prieto-Torres
Semergen. 2026 Apr;52(3):102720. doi: 10.1016/j.semerg.2026.102720. Epub 2026 Feb 17.
Abstract Objective: To describe the comorbidity profile in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with biologics and their association with clinical phenotype and therapeutic choice.
Conclusions: Patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis have a high burden of comorbidities, with differential profiles according to phenotype. These results reinforce the need for a multidisciplinary approach and the role of primary care in screening and managing comorbidities to improve disease control and overall prognosis.