Skylar is an associate editor for The American Journal of Managed Care® (AJMC®) and The Center for Biosimilars®, and joined AJMC® in 2020. She is responsible for covering all aspects of the ever-changing global biosimilar industry and produces content that is accessible and informative for all health care stakeholders.
She has a BA in journalism and media studies from Rutgers University. You can connect with Skylar on LinkedIn.
Harnessing AI for Improved Outcomes in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Management
An Italian review highlighted the potential of AI to enhance early diagnosis and treatment of hidradenitis suppurativa, though challenges such as data privacy, algorithm bias, and interpretability must be addressed to fully leverage AI's benefits in dermatology.
Study Reveals Decline in Inpatient Dermatology Services and Urgent Need for Strategic Support
A recent study found significant regional disparities and a decline in inpatient dermatology encounters and providers across the US from 2013 to 2019, highlighting the need for increased support and improved access to specialized dermatologic care.
Machine Learning Model Could Predict Hidradenitis Suppurativa Diagnosis
A recent study applied machine learning to medical and pharmacy claims data to develop a model for predicting hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) diagnosis, highlighting the potential for improved understanding of HS underdiagnosis on a health care system level.
Patients With Actinic Keratosis Prefer Simulated Daylight PDT Over More Painful Red Light PDT
A recent study found that patients with actinic keratosis experienced more pain during red light photodynamic therapy (PDT) than simulated daylight PDT, emphasizing the need to understand patient experiences for better treatment decisions.
Secukinumab Proves Successful in Treating Severe HS, Safety Persists at Week 52
In a recent study, secukinumab therapy demonstrated adequate safety and efficacy profiles, offering potential benefits for patients with severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) who found adalimumab intolerable.
Delays in HS Diagnosis, Treatment Shed Light on Provider Education Gaps
Patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in Canada often wait long periods of time to receive an HS diagnosis and receive evidence-based therapy, highlighting the need for increased interdisciplinary education on HS management.
Real-World Study Confirms Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Safety in Advanced NSCLC
A real-world study confirmed that the rate of adverse events associated with first-line nivolumab plus iplimumab therapy was in line with the safety profiles of other immuno-oncology and chemotherapy combination regimens.
ASH Abstracts Showcase Effective Treatments for MM, CLL, FL
Abstracts from the 65th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition provided new insight into multiple treatments for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and follicular lymphoma (FL).
Vaccines Reduce Declines in Respiratory Parameters Post COVID-19 Among Health Care Workers
Health care workers who received SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations were found to be protected against declines in respiratory parameters after overcoming COVID-19, highlighting the importance of COVID-19 vaccines for health care workers.
Descriptions of Physical Limitations, Symptoms of DMD From the Patient, Caregiver Perspective
A recent study encapsulates how patients and caregivers characterize the impact of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) on patients’ physical limitations and symptom burden, potentially helping to inform patient-centered strategies for assessing clinical outcomes in DMD research.
More-Expensive SMA Medication Use Led to Lower Health Care Resource Utilization
Patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treated with a more expensive medication were found to have higher pharmacy costs but lower SMA-related health care resource utilization and medical costs compared with patients receiving standard-of-care nusinersen monotherapy.
Interventions Needed to Increase DMT Uptake in Sickle Cell Disease
A recent study found that uptake of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) has been low among patients with sickle cell disease, suggesting that more interventions that consider individual patient characteristics are needed to improve adoption.
Are Unrefreshing Naps Associated With Fragmented Sleep in Idiopathic Hypersomnia?
A study investigating potential subtypes of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) found that patients with IH who experience unrefreshing naps have less fragmented sleep compared with those who take refreshing naps, suggesting unrefreshing naps could serve as a supportive IH clinical feature.
Obesity, Women’s Health, Health Equity Among Top Benefit Focuses for Employers in 2024
A new survey from the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions found that employers are planning to place a larger focus on obesity management, women’s health, and health equity in 2024 and beyond.
Drug Overdoses Leading to Cardiac Arrest Rising, Particularly With Stimulant-Opioid Combination
A population-based study found that out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events resulting from drug overdoses have significantly increased from 2015 to 2021, particularly among patients who have taken a combination of stimulants and opioids.
Study Finds Link Between Depression, Functional Impairment in Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis
Depression symptoms are often underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, contributing to a worsened quality of life (QOL). However, a recent study found that depression, functional impairment, and worsened QOL are related.
Early Changes in PROs Are Linked With Treatment Response, Survival in Gastrointestinal Cancer
A cohort study found that early changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were associated with treatment response and survival outcomes in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer, supporting the need for more routine implementation of PRO monitoring in cancer care spaces.
IQVIA Report Spotlights Shortages for Pain, Obesity, and Oncology Therapies
A new report from IQVIA provides an overview of current US drug shortages, shedding light on major areas of concern, such as medications to address pain, cardiovascular conditions, obesity and diabetes, and multiple forms of cancer.
Dr Parth Rali Explains Challenges of Managing Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism
Dr. Parth Rali, MD, of Temple University Hospital explained the challenges of managing patients with intermediate-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) and how risk stratification tools can help to address these challenges.