On June 9, 2023 the Division of Dermatology held its annual Resident Research Day. This event is a half-day showcase in which our residents and fellows are able to present and discuss their research with other trainees and Dermatology faculty. This year, medical students being supervised by Dermatology faculty were also invited to present on their projects. Research is a core focus of training in our Residency Program, and every year features a very strong lineup of presentations. This year was no exception, and while all the research was thoroughly impressive, a few presentations stood out - read more about the award-winning projects from the residents themselves:
Best Presentation, 1st Place - Anastasiya Muntyanu
Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated skin disease affecting 1-5% of the population in North America. It has a significant impact on quality of life and is associated with multiple metabolic syndrome comorbidities as well as psychiatric burden and increased neoplastic risk. Using populational data on psoriasis patients from Quebec, Canada, we developed a machine learning model to study the impact of environmental and neighbourhood factors on psoriasis incidence to better understand how the environment where we live impacts the risk of developing a chronic health condition. We comprehensively assessed over 400 environmental risk factors and identified that the top 9 factors contributing to psoriasis incidence spanned domains of socioeconomic status, climate factors, and neighbourhood characteristics. Hence, identifying differential exposures and vulnerabilities will allow for populational interventions for psoriasis prevention similar to what is seen in other chronic diseases.
Best Presentation, 2nd Place - Jorge Georgakopoulos
Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of human cancer, with 1 in 20 Canadians developing SCC in their lifetime. Patients with SCC usually undergo follow-up skin exams to monitor for local recurrence, metastatic disease, and the development of a new primary skin cancer. One challenge is that current practice guidelines vary in their recommendations for follow-up after a diagnosis of SCC and there is no universally accepted guideline. This Canada-wide study supported by SkIN Canada aims to characterize the practice patterns for follow-up after a diagnosis of primary invasive SCC and identify factors associated with the time to first follow-up skin exam. Preliminary findings from Toronto academic sites suggests there is variability amongst dermatologists in follow-up of patients diagnosed with SCC. Dermatologists are not utilizing baseline and pathologic SCC factors to help stratify patient risks and tailor follow-up according to guidelines.
Best Paper, 1st Place - Anastasiya Muntyanu
Muntyanu A, Ouchene L, Zhou S, Hudson M, Rezaeian M, LaChance A, Litvinov IV, Baron M, Netchiporouk E; Canadian Scleroderma Research Group. Geographical distribution of systemic sclerosis in Canada: An ecologic study based on the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2022 Nov;87(5):1095-1097. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.12.055. Epub 2022 Jan 11. PMID: 35031410.
Using the largest Canadian registry of patients with Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) - the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group, we analyzed the geographic distribution of prevalence and assessed possible contributing environmental factors. A nonuniform geographic distribution of SSc cases in Canada was identified and there were 19 Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs) with a prevalence of 2.5-5-fold higher than expected. These were distributed across both highly industrialized areas such as Hamilton, Ontario (5 FSAs) and rural areas (6 FSAs) that are located far from recruitment centers. A statistically higher density of industries, as well as increased air pollution, was demonstrated in the FSAs with the highest prevalence compared to those with a low prevalence. Future studies will focus on further evaluating putative environmental triggers with biologic plausibility using populational data.
Best Paper, 2nd Place - Jorge Georgakopoulos
Georgakopoulos JR, Felfeli T, Canizares M, Jin YP, Joseph M, Yeung J, Buys YM. Differences in Practice Patterns and Payments for Female and Male Dermatologists: A Canadian Population-Based Study Over 3 Decades. J Cutan Med Surg. 2022 Nov-Dec;26(6):575-585. doi: 10.1177/12034754221119500. Epub 2022 Sep 5. PMID: 36065083; PMCID: PMC9729975.
This population-based study spanning almost 3 decades examined trends in demographics and billing patterns of dermatologists compared to other medical and surgical specialties in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on the existence and factors contributing to the physician sex pay gap. A total of 22 389 physicians were included in the analyses, including 381 dermatologists. The proportion of female dermatologists increased from 32% in 1992 to 46% in 2018. Dermatologists' adjusted median Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) payments were $415 340 in 1992 compared to $296 750 in 2018. Despite the increased female representation in dermatology, a sex pay gap still exists. In pursuit of equity in medicine, the unique challenges and barriers for females in dermatology were explored.
Best Paper, 3rd Place - Katherine McDonald
McDonald KA, Lytvyn Y, Mufti A, Chan AW, Rosen CF. Review on photoprotection: a clinician's guide to the ingredients, characteristics, adverse effects, and disease-specific benefits of chemical and physical sunscreen compounds. Arch Dermatol Res. 2023 May;315(4):735-749. doi: 10.1007/s00403-022-02483-4. Epub 2022 Nov 28. PMID: 36443500.
The review summarizes different forms of photoprotection, with an emphasis on sunscreen. Health care providers can facilitate informed product selection with awareness of evolving sunscreen formulations and counseling patients on appropriate use. The paper discusses absorption of sunscreen ingredients, possible adverse effects, and disease-specific preferences for chemical, physical or oral agents that may decrease UV radiation and visible light harmful effects.
