Assessing Skin Biopsy Rates for Histologic Findings Indicative of Nonpathological Cutaneous Disease. Issue 5 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Solomon, James A.; Oswalt, Michael; Nodzenski, Michael; Glener, Julie; Schaeffer, Matthew R.; Cartee, Todd V.; Maher, Ian A.; Sobanko, Joseph F.; Waldman, Abigail; Yoo, Simon S.; Lewis, Suzanna; Barr, Morgan; Marous, Molly; Sledge, Brigitte; Duke, Jodi Kay; Armstrong, April W.; Poon, Emily; Veledar, Emir; Dellavalle, Robert P.; Alam, Murad
• Is Part Of: Dermatologic surgery. Volume 45:Issue 5(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: Skin -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.477
• DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000001865
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-0512

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Recent increase in skin biopsies has been attributed to an epidemic of skin cancer. This may be avoidable, with potential savings. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the increase in skin biopsies is attributable to increasing frequency of biopsies associated with histology lacking pathological cutaneous disease. Pathological cutaneous disease was defined as (1) a malignancy, precancerous lesion, or lesion of uncertain behavior; or (2) disease symptomatic or associated with adverse quality of life impact. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study, 2006 to 2013 of dermatology practice serving Florida and Ohio. Data were a consecutive sample of skin biopsies for diagnosis of dermatologic disease. RESULTS: A total of 267, 706 biopsies by an average of 52 providers per month from January 06 to December 13 were analyzed. Number of biopsies per visit increased 2% per year (RR: 1.02, CI: 1.00–1.04). Likelihood of biopsy associated with histology indicative of nonpathological cutaneous disease did not increase over time (OR: 0.99, CI: 0.95–1.03, p = .6302). CONCLUSION: Rates of biopsies associated with nonpathological cutaneous disease is not increasing. Overall biopsy rates per visit have gradually increased; this seems attributable to greater rates of detection of pathological dermatologic disease.