Why is methotrexate prescribed? Methotrexate is used to treat severe psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body) that cannot be controlled by other treatments. Methotrexate is also used along with rest, physical therapy, and sometimes other medications to treat severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA; a condition […]
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Why is cyclosporine prescribed? Cyclosporine and cyclosporine (modified) are used with other medications to prevent transplant rejection (attack of the transplanted organ by the immune system of the person who received the organ) in people who have received kidney, liver, and heart transplants. Cyclosporine (modified) is also used alone or with methotrexate (Rheumatrex) to treat
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Why is isotretinoin prescribed? Isotretinoin is used to treat severe recalcitrant nodular acne (a certain type of severe acne) that has not been helped by other treatments, such as antibiotics. Isotretinoin is in a class of medications called retinoids. It works by slowing the production of certain natural substances that can cause acne. Brand names
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Why is acitretin prescribed? Acitretin is used to treat severe psoriasis (abnormal growth of skin cells that causes red, thickened, or scaly skin). Acitretin is in a class of medications called retinoids. The way acitretin works is not known. Brand names: Soriatane® Click HERE to learn more about acitretin at MedlinePlus (U.S. Library of Medicine)
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Orphanet maintains the Orphanet nomenclature of rare diseases, essential in improving the visibility of rare diseases in health and research information systems: each disease in Orphanet is attributed a unique and stable identifier, the ORPHA number. Orphanet uses the European definition of a rare disease, as defined by the European Union Regulation on Orphan Medicinal
What is the ORPHA number for pityriasis rubra pilaris? Read More »
EDITOR’S NOTE: The more we know about the business of dermatology and the regulations which impact the delivery of services business, the more likely we are to understand the challenges they face. The following article was published in the October 2015 issue of On the Road…. The diagnosis and treatment of PRP involves patient and
Were dermatologists ready for ICD-10? Read More »
In January 2015, Eva Bearryman, Junior Communications Manager, EURORDIS, posted the following article about the codification of rare diseases. This is one of those issues where the worldwide PRP community willingly observes from afar. However, knowing how skin diseases are coded helps us understand where we fit in the rare skin disease puzzle. <><><><><><><><><><><><><> Codification
Does your rare disease have a code? Read More »
Editor’s Note: The following information has been provided by the Genetic and Disease Information Center to healthcare professionals regarding ICD Coding for Rare Diseases. We include this article in the PRP Survival Guide (Chapter 1) to help PRP patients and caregivers better understand the regulatory challenges under which dermatologists and other healthcare professionals must function.
ICD Coding for Rare Diseases Read More »
Editor’s Note: We start with two aspects of “life threatening”. (1) A misdiagnosis of PRP when the real malady is Sézary syndrome (Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma) where treatment is delayed. (2) The depression that results from PRP. I remember a family reunion from Christmas, 2012 (scheduled before my PRP onset). I was in the Hell &
Are there life threatening aspects of a PRP misdiagnosis? Read More »
Editor’s Note: The adage about teaching an “old dog” and “new tricks” took an unexpected twist in Denver during the annual meeting of the American Association of Dermatologists. Turning 68 in May, this “old dog” didn’t learn a new trick; he learned a new word: iatrogenic. As published in The Road Less Traveled… (April 15,
What is the IATROGENIC effect? Read More »