As for the impact on clinical practice, “the patterns of skin disease susceptibility we have identified have important implications for rational design of transplant skin surveillance programs, targeted patient (and provider) education, and optimized clinical management,” Dr. Kentley said. “Ultimately, this is likely to have a significant impact on strategic deployment of limited dermatology health care resources.”
Specifically, the study suggests that all organ transplant patients receive a baseline skin assessment visit and nurse-led targeted education. Black African/Caribbean patients should be followed up for at least 5 years after transplant.
In the United States, at least 724,000 people have undergone organ transplants since 1988, with most getting kidney transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
No study funding was reported. The authors had no disclosures.
SOURCE: Kentley J et al. AAD 2018, Session F055.