Medicine (St Vincent's) - Research Publications

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    A long-term cohort study of acitretin for prevention of keratinocyte carcinoma in solid organ transplant recipients
    Allnutt, KJ ; Vogrin, S ; Li, J ; Goh, MS ; Brennand, S ; Davenport, R ; Chong, AH (WILEY, 2022-05)
    BACKGROUND: Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) are at high risk of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC). Long-term evidence for acitretin as chemoprophylaxis in this population is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefit of long-term acitretin for KC chemoprevention in SOTR. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of SOTR treated with acitretin at an Australian transplant dermatology clinic was performed. General estimating equations were used to evaluate change in rates of histologically confirmed KC in the 6-12 months prior to acitretin and following a minimum 6 months of treatment. A control group of patients within the same service was included, comprising SOTR who were not treated with acitretin. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients received acitretin treatment for at least 6 months, eighteen for at least 5 years and four for at least 9 years. The median KC rate pretreatment was 3.31 per year (IQR 1.93, 5.40). There was a significant reduction in the rate of KC in the first year of acitretin treatment (IRR 0.41, 95% CI 0.22, 0.76, P = 0.005), and this effect was observed for 5 years (IRR at 5 years 0.34, 95% CI 0.17, 0.67, P = 0.002). The control group had no statistically significant change in KC rate over time in the study. CONCLUSIONS: Acitretin appears to be well-tolerated and effective in reducing KC in SOTR for at least 5 years. Study limitations include its retrospective nature, small sample size and lack of blinding.
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    Consensus-Based Recommendations on the Prevention of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Delphi Consensus Statement.
    Massey, PR ; Schmults, CD ; Li, SJ ; Arron, ST ; Asgari, MM ; Bouwes Bavinck, JN ; Billingsley, E ; Blalock, TW ; Blasdale, K ; Carroll, BT ; Carucci, JA ; Chong, AH ; Christensen, SR ; Chung, CL ; DeSimone, JA ; Ducroux, E ; Escutia-Muñoz, B ; Ferrándiz-Pulido, C ; Fox, MC ; Genders, RE ; Geusau, A ; Gjersvik, P ; Hanlon, AM ; Olasz Harken, EB ; Hofbauer, GFL ; Hopkins, RS ; Leitenberger, JJ ; Loss, MJ ; Del Marmol, V ; Mascaró, JM ; Myers, SA ; Nguyen, BT ; Oliveira, WRP ; Otley, CC ; Proby, CM ; Rácz, E ; Ruiz-Salas, V ; Samie, FH ; Seçkin, D ; Shah, SN ; Shin, TM ; Shumack, SP ; Soon, SL ; Stasko, T ; Zavattaro, E ; Zeitouni, NC ; Zwald, FO ; Harwood, CA ; Jambusaria-Pahlajani, A (American Medical Association (AMA), 2021-10-01)
    IMPORTANCE: There is a paucity of evidence to guide physicians regarding prevention strategies for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). OBJECTIVE: To examine the development and results of a Delphi process initiated to identify consensus-based medical management recommendations for prevention of CSCC in SOTRs. EVIDENCE REVIEW: Dermatologists with more than 5 years' experience treating SOTRs were invited to participate. A novel actinic damage and skin cancer index (AD-SCI), consisting of 6 ordinal stages corresponding to an increasing burden of actinic damage and CSCC, was used to guide survey design. Three sequential web-based surveys were administered from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. Pursuant to Delphi principles, respondents thoroughly reviewed all peer responses between rounds. Supplemental questions were also asked to better understand panelists' rationale for their responses. FINDINGS: The Delphi panel comprised 48 dermatologists. Respondents represented 13 countries, with 27 (56%) from the US. Twenty-nine respondents (60%) were Mohs surgeons. Consensus was reached with 80% or higher concordance among respondents when presented with a statement, question, or management strategy pertaining to prevention of CSCC in SOTRs. A near-consensus category of 70% to less than 80% concordance was also defined. The AD-SCI stage-based recommendations were established if consensus or near-consensus was achieved. The panel was able to make recommendations for 5 of 6 AD-SCI stages. Key recommendations include the following: cryotherapy for scattered actinic keratosis (AK); field therapy for AK when grouped in 1 anatomical area, unless AKs are thick in which case field therapy and cryotherapy were recommended; combination lesion directed and field therapy with fluorouracil for field cancerized skin; and initiation of acitretin therapy and discussion of immunosuppression reduction or modification for patients who develop multiple skin cancers at a high rate (10 CSCCs per year) or develop high-risk CSCC (defined by a tumor with approximately ≥20% risk of nodal metastasis). No consensus recommendation was achieved for SOTRs with a first low risk CSCC. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Physicians may consider implementation of panel recommendations for prevention of CSCC in SOTRs while awaiting high-level-of-evidence data. Additional clinical trials are needed in areas where consensus was not reached.
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    Two cases of occupationally acquired Mycobacterium marinum infection in Chinese restaurant workers in Melbourne, Australia
    Sim, E ; Li, J ; Williams, R ; Pan, Y ; Mohamed, M ; Aboltins, C ; Chong, AH (WILEY, 2018-08)
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    Skin cancer history, sun-related attitudes, behaviour and sunburn among renal transplant recipients versus general population
    Leung, VKY ; Dobbinson, SJ ; Goodman, DJ ; Kanellis, J ; Chong, AH (WILEY, 2018-05)
    BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Renal transplant recipients (RTR) have both an excessive skin cancer incidence and a high mortality rate. In Australia RTR receive extensive public education on skin cancer and many undergo further education pre/post-transplant. This study examines whether RTR have sufficiently rigorous sun protection behaviour compared with the general population. METHODS: Altogether 179 RTR from two large Melbourne hospitals involving skin clinic teams in patient care were recruited to undergo cross-sectional telephone interviews. Comparisons were made with residents (25-69 years) surveyed using equivalent measures and methods in adjacent summers (2006-2007, n = 904; 2010-2011, n = 942) for regular population monitoring surveys. Multivariate analyses of weekend behaviour were adjusted for related ambient temperature records. RESULTS: RTR were more compliant with sun protection behaviour on the weekend prior to interview than the residents surveyed. For example, for 2006-2007 and 2010-2011, the odds ratio and confidence intervals (CI 95%) were respectively: used sunscreen: 2.0 (1.1-3.8) and 2.8 (1.4-5.3); wore a long-sleeved top: 4.5 (2.4-8.5) and 3.6 (1.9-7.0). RTR sunburn prevalence (5%) appeared similar to that of residents (odds ratios comparing 2006-2007 and 2010-2011 0.6 [95% CI, 0.2-1.6] and 0.7 [95% CI, 0.3-1.9]). Despite generally good sun protection behaviour, many RTR (47%) had skin cancers treated. CONCLUSION: The intensive education of RTR may have contributed to their better sun protection. Some RTR with excessive exposure to UV radiation introduction of may benefit from implementation of further photoprotection strategies. These findings may be particularly relevant to other RTR groups receiving education about sun protection.
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    Dermatology teaching in Australian medical schools
    Bala, HR ; Scarff, CE ; Chong, AH (WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016-11)
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    Atypical severe progressive perioral ulceration due to herpes simplex virus on the background of undiagnosed HIV/AIDS.
    Howard, MD ; Poon, F ; Milne, OJ ; Kelmann, A ; Chong, AH (Wiley, 2020-02)
    Perioral ulcerative plaques have a broad list of differential diagnoses. We describe an unusual presentation of chronic progressive perioral ulceration due to herpes simplex type (HSV)-1 on a background of undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Whilst chronic mucocutaneous HSV is an AIDS-defining condition with both HSV-1 and HSV-2 implicated, typical reported cases describe vesicular eruptions rather than perioral ulcerative plaques. This case highlights that common infections may present atypically in immunocompromised individuals and may be a clue to underlying systemic illness.
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    Novel dermoscopic hexagonal pattern in chronic graft-versus-host disease.
    Kovitwanichkanont, T ; Prakash, S ; Cranwell, WC ; Chong, AH (Wiley, 2020-02)
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    Merkel cell carcinoma in a patient treated with infliximab: Beware of the subcutaneous nodule.
    Davenport, R ; Brennand, S ; Goh, MS ; Prakash, S ; Chong, AH (Wiley, 2018-11)