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J Drugs Dermatol 2021 Apr;20(4):432-435

Telemedicine, defined as practicing medicine at a distance, has grown in popularity over the past ten years, as advances in consumer technology have permitted its expansion. Dermatology is a field that especially lends itself to this method of care, as many common dermatological diagnoses can be made upon visual inspection. With social distancing becoming the new standard in this age of COVID-19, telemedicine emerges as a key tool in continuing patient care without interruption. Read More

J Cosmet Dermatol 2020 Oct 26;19(10):2466-2467. Epub 2020 Aug 26.

Department of Dermatology & STD, North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College & Hindu Rao Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Recent reports across the world indicate a tremendous increase in smartphone usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increased use is understandable given the unique international strategies put in place to reduce viral transmission, such as "lockdown" and "work from home". People are keeping themselves busy by browsing the Internet, using social media, watching tele-programs, playing games, chatting with friends and/or family, shopping online, etc With increased usage of smartphones, people are getting increased exposure of blue light. Read More

J Drugs Dermatol 2020 Dec;19(12):1250

Initial studies of teledermatology in pediatric populations indicated that many of the problems experienced in adult virtual visits were even more apparent when treating children. Specifically, it was noted that the difficulty in obtaining medical history and participation of the pediatric patients provided additional challenges in evaluation.1 Direct-to-consumer models have highlighted many of these challenges as well as a general lack of continuity of care previously seen in pediatric teledermatology. Read More

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020 11 26;8(11):e21771. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Spanish Research Network for Preventive Activities and Health Promotion in Primary Care (REDIAPP), Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 11 7;17(21). Epub 2020 Nov 7.

FoodLab Research Group (2017SGR 83), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), 08018 Barcelona, Spain.

Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity-major risk factors for the main non-communicable diseases-can be addressed by mobile health applications. Using an evidence-based systematic review design, we analysed studies on mobile applications to foster physical activity to determine whether they met the objective of increasing adults' physical activity. A bibliographic search was conducted in October 2020 using PubMed, Cochrane Library Plus, Biomed Central, Psychology Database, and SpringerLink, retrieving 191 articles. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2020 Oct 31;20(21). Epub 2020 Oct 31.

Vetamplify SIA, Veterinary Services, 57/59-32 Krišjāņa Valdemāra Str., LV-1010 Rīga, Latvia.

Quality smartphone cameras and affordable dermatoscopes have enabled teledermoscopy to become a popular medical and veterinary tool for analyzing skin lesions such as melanoma and erythema. However, smartphones acquire images in an unknown RGB color space, which prevents a standardized colorimetric skin analysis. In this work, we supplemented a typical veterinary teledermoscopy system with a conventional color calibration procedure, and we studied two mid-priced smartphones in evaluating native and erythematous canine skin color. Read More

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020 10 29;8(10):e16898. Epub 2020 Oct 29.

Centre for Population Health Sciences, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.

Background: Smartphone apps could support patients and caregivers in disease self-management. However, as patients' experiences and needs might not always align with clinical judgments, the eliciting and engaging of perspectives of all stakeholders in the smartphone app design process is of paramount importance.

Objective: The aims of this study are to better understand the needs of and challenges facing caregivers and health care professionals (HCPs) who care for children with atopic dermatitis (AD) and to explore the desirable features and content of a smartphone app that would support AD self-management. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021 Mar 24;35(3):e167-e168. Epub 2020 Nov 24.

Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Int J Dermatol 2021 Mar 2;60(3):289-308. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Centre of Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Smartphone applications (apps) are available to consumers for skin cancer prevention and early detection. This study aims to review changes over time in the skin cancer apps available to consumers as well as their functionality and costs. Apps for the prevention of skin cancer were searched on two major smartphone app stores (Android and iOS) in June 2019. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2021 04 14;184(4):638-639. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2021 Jan 6;84(1):e25-e26. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

Amanza Health Care, Perinthalmanna, Kerala, India.

Comput Methods Programs Biomed 2020 Oct 9;195:105649. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Dermatology, Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Introduction: Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and it may arise from a cutaneous pigmented lesion. As artificial intelligence (AI)-based teledermatology services hold promise in redefining the melanoma screening paradigm, a study that evaluates user satisfaction with a smartphone-compatible, AI-based cutaneous pigmented lesion evaluator is lacking.

Methods: Data was collected between April and May 2019 in Taiwan. Read More

Hautarzt 2020 Sep;71(9):691-698

Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich.

Advantages Of Artificial Intelligence (ai): With responsible, safe and successful use of artificial intelligence (AI), possible advantages in the field of dermato-oncology include the following: (1) medical work can focus on skin cancer patients, (2) patients can be more quickly and effectively treated despite the increasing incidence of skin cancer and the decreasing number of actively working dermatologists and (3) users can learn from the AI results. POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES AND RISKS OF AI USE: (1) Lack of mutual trust can develop due to the decreased patient-physician contact, (2) additional time effort will be necessary to promptly evaluate the AI-classified benign lesions, (3) lack of adequate medical experience to recognize misclassified AI decisions and (4) recontacting a patient in due time in the case of incorrect AI classifications. Still problematic in the use of AI are the medicolegal situation and remuneration. Read More

PLoS One 2020 2;15(7):e0235500. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

LEO Innovation Lab, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Introduction: Clinical trials often suffer from significant recruitment barriers, poor adherence, and dropouts, which increase costs and negatively affect trial outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine whether making it virtual and reward-based would enable nationwide recruitment, identify patients with variable disease severity, achieve high adherence, and reduce dropouts.

Methods: In a siteless, virtual feasibility study, individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD) were recruited online. Read More

J Dermatol 2020 Oct 28;47(10):1187-1190. Epub 2020 Jun 28.

Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.

Smartphones have become essential devices in modern society. The coverage rate of smartphones in 2017 in Japan was 75% according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. The iPhone is one of the most well-known smartphone brands. Read More

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020 07 9;8(7):e16018. Epub 2020 Jul 9.

School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China (Hong Kong).

Background: There is a growing trend in the use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and telemedicine, especially during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Tongue diagnosis is an important component of TCM, but also plays a role in Western medicine, for example in dermatology. However, the procedure of obtaining tongue images has not been standardized and the reliability of tongue diagnosis by smartphone tongue images has yet to be evaluated. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2020 07 13;33(4):e13506. Epub 2020 Jul 13.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

J Plast Surg Hand Surg 2020 Aug 24;54(4):207-214. Epub 2020 Apr 24.

Department of Dermatology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan.

The protractor-based goniometer is the standard instrument used to measure finger range of motion (ROM). However, the method is often complicated to apply and places a burden on the investigator. Here, we developed a new method for finger ROM measurement using a smartphone. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2020 09 17;183(3):577-579. Epub 2020 May 17.

Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis Hospital, APHP, Paris 7 University, Paris, France.

An Bras Dermatol 2020 May - Jun;95(3):298-306. Epub 2020 Mar 21.

Gram-positive Cocci Laboratory, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

Background: The increasingly frequent use of dermoscopy makes us think about the possibility of transfer of microorganisms, through the dermatoscope, between doctor and patients.

Objectives: To identify the most frequent gram-positive cocci in dermatoscopes and smartphone adapters, as well as the resistance profile, and to evaluate the factors associated with a higher risk of bacterial contamination of the dermatoscopes.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 118 dermatologists from Porto Alegre/Brazil between September 2017 and July 2018. Read More

BMJ 2020 02 10;368:m127. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK

Objective: To examine the validity and findings of studies that examine the accuracy of algorithm based smartphone applications ("apps") to assess risk of skin cancer in suspicious skin lesions.

Design: Systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies.

Data Sources: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, CPCI, Zetoc, Science Citation Index, and online trial registers (from database inception to 10 April 2019). Read More

Allergy 2020 07 22;75(7):1672-1688. Epub 2020 Mar 22.

Upper Airways Research Laboratory, ENT Dept, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Background: In allergic rhinitis, a relevant outcome providing information on the effectiveness of interventions is needed. In MASK-air (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for work is used as a relevant outcome. This study aimed to assess the performance of the work VAS work by comparing VAS work with other VAS measurements and symptom-medication scores obtained concurrently. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2020 06 3;182(6):1498-1500. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Sensors (Basel) 2019 Nov 14;19(22). Epub 2019 Nov 14.

Fraunhofer Portugal AICOS, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.

Over recent years, there has been an increase in popularity of the acquisition of dermoscopic skin lesion images using mobile devices, more specifically using the smartphone camera. The demand for self-care and telemedicine solutions requires suitable methods to guide and evaluate the acquired images' quality in order to improve the monitoring of skin lesions. In this work, a system for automated focus assessment of dermoscopic images was developed using a feature-based machine learning approach. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2020 09;46(9):1264-1266

Division of Dermatology, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont.

Actas Dermosifiliogr (Engl Ed) 2020 Mar 16;111(2):107-114. Epub 2019 Oct 16.

Servicio de Responsabilidad Profesional, Área de Praxis, Colegio de Médicos de Barcelona, Consejo de Colegios de Médicos de Catalunya, Barcelona, España; Cátedra de Responsabilidad Profesional Médica y Medicina Legal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, España; Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, España.

Photographs are necessary in the clinical practice of dermatology, but there are ethical implications to consider. Moreover, dermatologists must be aware of and comply with certain legal requirements affecting the use of photographs. The main ethical principles are respect for patient autonomy and the physician's obligation to do no harm. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2019 10 2;2(10):e1913436. Epub 2019 Oct 2.

Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals, Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.

Importance: A high proportion of suspicious pigmented skin lesions referred for investigation are benign. Techniques to improve the accuracy of melanoma diagnoses throughout the patient pathway are needed to reduce the pressure on secondary care and pathology services.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of an artificial intelligence algorithm in identifying melanoma in dermoscopic images of lesions taken with smartphone and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. Read More

Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2019 Nov-Dec;85(6):641-647

Camera Culture, MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, USA.

Maturitas 2019 Nov 30;129:1-5. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

ADMR, Paris, France.

Background: The care model for supporting elderly people living independently at home relies on the informal and formal assistance of caregivers. Information and communication technology (ICT) offers new approaches for informal care services for this group.

Methods: A longitudinal observational pilot study was carried out in home services in France. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020 Mar 8;34(3):648-655. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

Department of Dermatology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: Machine learning algorithms achieve expert-level accuracy in skin lesion classification based on clinical images. However, it is not yet shown whether these algorithms could have high accuracy when embedded in a smartphone app, where image quality is lower and there is high variability in image taking scenarios by users. In the past, these applications were criticized due to lack of accuracy. Read More