Evidence-Based Dermatology

The toolbox at the beginning of the book explaining how to critically appraise different studies, along with the comprehensive reviewing and appraisal of evidence in the clinical chapters makes this book distinctive in its field as do the treatment recommendations which are based on the discussion of the best available evidence using a question-driven approach and a common structure on dealing with efficacy, drawbacks and implications for clinical practice.

Evidence-based Dermatology, Second Edition is a unique book in the field of clinical dermatology. Written and edited by some of the world’s leading experts in evidence-based dermatology, it takes a highly evidence-based approach to the treatment of all major and many of the less common skin conditions.

The toolbox at the beginning of the book explaining how to critically appraise different studies, along with the comprehensive reviewing and appraisal of evidence in the clinical chapters makes this book distinctive in its field as do the treatment recommendations which are based on the discussion of the best available evidence using a question-driven approach and a common structure on dealing with efficacy, drawbacks and implications for clinical practice.

This edition is much expanded with a greater focus on patients. New chapters include:

• What makes a good case series?
  
• Photoaging
  
• Melanocytic nevi
  
• Streptococcal cellulitis/erysipelas of the lower leg
  
• Exanthematic reactions
  
• Herpes simplex
  
• Infantil hemangiomas and port-wine stains
  
• Psychocutaneous disease

Accompanying this book is also a dedicated update website with additional chapters (www.evidbasedderm.com)

The text is enhanced with full color illustrations, tables and boxed text summaries providing a quick reference for those in the clinical practice setting and dermatologists in training.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Patricia Wong, MD(Stanford University Medical Center)
Description:This is a terrific book! All dermatologists should consider it required reading. You will be shocked at how much of your knowledge is not based on any proven data and how much of your day-to-day practice of dermatology is based on hearsay, whim, or what your friendly colleague advised. The first edition was published in 2003. The authors cover the treatment of common skin disorders such as atopic eczema, nonmelanoma skin cancer, warts, etc., and ask basic questions regarding the management and then present the evidence for using or not using a particular treatment. The best designed studies, if they exist, are discussed in detail. Conclusions are presented at the end of most chapters in a light blue summary table.
Purpose:The purpose is to enlighten dermatologists about the methodologies involved in clinical studies and how to evaluate and decide if a study is a good, well designed study and if the results can be believed.
Audience:The audience is dermatologists.
Features:The beginning chapters discuss how to evaluate a study for its validity and some simple calculations are explained to help you determine the usefulness of the data and be a more discriminating reader. The studies are critiqued for efficacy of treatment, side effects if any of the therapy, and a conclusion, if any can be made regarding the present knowledge based on currently available studies. It is quite amazing how much we assume and how little has been done to substantiate what we think is undoubtedly "true." The book is a great resource, pointing out the direction and questions for future clinical studies to answer.
Assessment:This is a wonderful resource and should be used by anyone who considers himself/herself a relevant, educated, up-to-date dermatologist. I applaud the authors for their excellent efforts. If you aren't inclined to try to master the skills to evaluate all the studies, then just read this book. The authors have already done all the work for you.

Hywel Williams
Professor of Dermato-Epidemiology, Nottingham UK. Professor Williams is coordinating editor of the Cochrane Skin Group. He is also the dermatology adviser for Clinical Evidence (BMJ Publishing Group) which is distributed to 500 000 doctors in the US, available free to NHS institutions in the UK and is translated into 10 languages.

Michael Bigby
Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Harvard University Medical School and Chief of Dermatology, Harvard University Health Service. His chief teaching interest is in evidence-based dermatology. He edited a special issue of the Archives in Dermatology devoted to ebd, which has resulted in a quarterly ebd section to which he is a continuing contributor, and he has presented papers and chaired sessions on ebd at the AAD. He has played a major part in introducing the concept in the USA.

Thomas Diepgen
Professor of Dematology, University of Heidelberg, Gemany is a member of European Dermato-epidemiology network and a specialist in contact dermatitis, and occupationally and environmentally acquired conditions

Andrew Herxheimer
Cochrane UK Center is a founding member of the Cochrane Collaboration and now a editor of the Consumer and Communications Group. He is part of the Consumer Network and the Adverse Effects Methods subgroup and also works with the Cochrane skin group.

Luigi Naldi
Consultant Dermatologist at Ospedale Riunit Bergamo, Italy and a member of European Dermato-epidemiology network. He specialises in psoriasis.

Berthold Rzany
C3-Professor for Evidence Based Medicine in Dermatology, Head of the division of Evidence Based Medicine at the department of dermatology at the Humboldt-University in Berlin. His research topics include aesthetic medicine, e.g. botulinum toxin A, collagen, hyaluronic acid, polyactic acid & other injectables, middle depth peelings as well as hyperhidrosis.