DE RMATO-VENE R EOLOGY
Breaking research in dermato-venereology
The latest research presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology’s 30th Congress revealed the true burden of skin disease in Europe and prompted debate over the increasing use of consumer apps for diagnosing cancers. CSJ summarises of some the key highlights from the sessions.
The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology’s 30th Congress recently highlighted the latest findings and scientific breakthroughs in dermato-venereology. The programme featured over 550 prominent speakers, discussing a wide variety of cutting- edge topics – from the prevalence of skin conditions, HPV and the immune system, to skin cancer detection and treatment. During the Congress, the results of a new
EADV survey were released – showing that almost half (47.9%) of the European adult general population had declared at least one dermatological condition in the past 12 months. The Burden of Skin Diseases in Europe survey collected data from 44,689 adults from 27 European countries. Preliminary findings show that among 21,401 members of the general population, 47.9% of people 18 years of
age or older self-reported at least one skin condition. On average, those people affected declared a median of two skin diseases. The most common skin conditions among those surveyed was fungal skin infection, affecting almost 1 in 10 people (9.07%). Other common conditions, each affecting more than 1 in 20 people, were atopic dermatitis (eczema) (5.34%), alopecia (5.22%), and acne (5.49%). Furthermore, skin symptoms / unpleasant skin sensations including tightness and itch as a specific consultation request were reported by 20% of people 18 years of age or older.
Before EADV undertook this study, little was known about the prevalence of skin diseases in the general population across Europe. In addition, there has been a lack of solid, objective and homogeneous
data at the European level on the quality- of-life impact of skin diseases, including stigmatisation, or on the perception of and access to dermatologists.
Marie-Aleth Richard, professor at the University Hospital of La Timone, Marseille and the EADV board member leading the survey, commented: “The fact that one in two people across Europe live with skin disease on a daily basis makes the skin the most affected organ in the body and, as an organisation, we are therefore committed to making skin disease a public health priority.”
HPV and the immune system Other research presented at the Congress revealed a link between genital warts and the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system – the part of the immune system which helps regulate immune responses. The findings suggest that genetic variants in the HLA system influence the risk of genital warts.1 Condyloma acuminata, commonly known as genital warts, are a manifestation of human papillomavirus (HPV), presenting as soft fleshy growths that develop around the genitals or anus.2
HPV is the
most widespread and common sexually transmitted disease worldwide, with more than 80% of sexually active women and men expected to acquire at least one HPV infection by the age of 45 years – though most of these are normally short-lived infections without any clinical impact.3 The HLA system is part of the genetic region which holds genes essential for normal functioning of immune response, helping to distinguish between ‘foreign items’ called antigens (which cause the body to make an immune response) and the body’s own cells.4
All humans have genetic
diversity in their HLA which means that responses to certain diseases are varied. When studying the association, researchers identified 12 protective gene
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© Sherry Yates
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