Andrea Nguyen, PA-C, MS

Andrea Nguyen, PA, shares her clinical pearls on taking care of patients with AD.

Clinical Pearls on AD Management

This is a video synopsis/summary of a panel discussion involving Melodie Young, NP, and Andrea Nguyen, PA.

In this segment, the discussion centers on providing advice and encouragement for healthcare professionals, particularly those entering the field or adjusting their approach to adhere to newer guidelines for managing atopic dermatitis (AD). The speakers acknowledge the increasing prevalence of AD, emphasizing the substantial number of patients with significant body involvement who may require more than just topical therapies.

The advice includes a systematic approach to learning about the various therapeutic categories, such as monoclonal antibodies, biologics, oral Jack inhibitors, and topicals. The recommendation is to start with a focused exploration of one category to build confidence before expanding knowledge across all therapy options. Anticipating continuous development in the next 5 to 10 years, there is emphasis on creating an efficient workflow and clinic template to streamline the prescription process for these complex therapies.

The conversation concludes with the suggestion of possible future discussions on using telemedicine for AD management, highlighting its effectiveness in treating chronic diseases like AD.

Video synopsis is AI-generated and reviewed by HCPLive editorial staff.

Videos

Clinical Pearls on AD Management 

Melodie Young NP and Andrea Nguyen, PA look into the future of AD management.

The Future Of AD Treatment

In this conversation, the speakers reflect on the significant advancements in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD) over the past 15 years. They express gratitude for the current plethora of therapeutic options, a scenario that was unforeseen in the past. The discussion includes anticipation of potential new topical agents entering the AD market and the excitement surrounding evolving treatment options.

Looking ahead to the next decade, the speakers share their expectations for further refinement of therapeutic products, emphasizing the uniqueness of individual immune responses. They discuss the positive impact of personalized medicine, where patients can switch between different therapeutic agents based on their specific responses.

The conversation highlights the potential shift in treatment outcomes, aiming for higher efficacy numbers, particularly EASI (eczema area and severity index)90 responses, with a combination of systemic agents and advanced topical therapies. The speakers express hope for achieving a level of precision in treatment similar to that seen in psoriasis care, tailoring interventions to target-specific areas of involvement.

The discussion concludes with considerations for intervening earlier in familial cases and encouraging proactive adherence to updated care guidelines. The speakers emphasize the ongoing importance of clinical trials and research in understanding and managing AD, acknowledging the significance of dedicated patient care in dealing with this chronic condition.

The Future of AD Treatment 

Physician assistant Andera Nguyen shares her experience on combination therapy and class switching.

Combination Therapy For AD

In this discussion, the speakers delve into the considerations around combination therapy for treating patients with a chronic skin condition. The conversation mentions avoiding the combination of topical and systemic JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors but highlights the flexibility to mix and match various therapies, including emerging topical options. The decision to introduce a combination of therapies is patient-specific and lacks a 1-size-fits-all approach, emphasizing the need for individualized care.

The approach outlined involves giving injectable agents time to show maximum disease control before considering alternative treatments. There's also a discussion about integrating topical therapies alongside injectables to accelerate therapeutic benefits. With oral JAK inhibitors, the typical assessment period for efficacy is within the initial 8 to 16 weeks. The importance of considering patients' life circumstances is emphasized, as external factors can influence disease flares, and practitioners must differentiate between medication effectiveness and external triggers.

The conversation acknowledges the evolving landscape in dermatology, noting the expanded options available to switch therapeutic agents based on patient response. Changing expectations are underscored, anticipating positive outcomes with current treatments and emphasizing the need for detective work if patients do not respond as expected, including addressing issues like inconsistent injection schedules.

Combination Therapy for AD

discuss handling prior authorizations for systemic therapies in AD.

Tailoring Therapy to Your Patients With AD

Experts discuss the selection and dosing of various biologic and JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor therapies for patients. The speaker emphasizes flexibility in choosing therapies based on individual patient needs and issues. She highlights the importance of considering dosing flexibility, especially for patients well-controlled on a particular regimen. Andrea mentions instances where she adjusts dosages based on patient reactions or issues, achieving a balance between disease control and minimizing unwanted effects.

The conversation touches on the challenges of combining topical therapies with systemic injectables and oral JAK inhibitors, with the speaker expressing a preference for not combining topical and oral JAK inhibitors. The speaker acknowledges the complexity of insurance coverage and the need to navigate payer restrictions when prescribing therapies. Both practitioners discuss the art of medicine in tailoring treatments to individual patients, including dose escalation and the impact of prior authorization paperwork on clinical practice. They underscore the significant positive impact that effective treatments can have on patients' lives, making follow-up visits rewarding despite the initial workload. The discussion emphasizes the ongoing effort to optimize therapies for better patient outcomes in the context of managing chronic skin conditions.

Melodie Young NP and Andrea Nguyen, PA discuss handling prior authorizations for systemic therapies in AD.

Andrea Nguyen, PA-C, MS

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