<p>The <strong>6th Annual Elevate-Derm Fall Conference</strong> delivered physician assistant– and nurse practitioner–focused updates rooted in everyday dermatology, including an emphasis on immune-driven diseases such as plaque psoriasis. Sessions highlighted practical, patient-fit management and real-world collaboration across the care team.</p> <p><br></p> <p><em>Following these presentations, featured expert Douglas DiRuggiero, DMSc, MHS, PA-C, was interviewed by</em> Conference Reporter<em> Associate Editor-in-Chief Christopher Ontiveros, PhD. Clinical perspectives from Mr DiRuggiero are presented here.</em></p>

The Elevate-Derm Fall Conference completed its 6th year. The Elevate-Derm Alliance conferences started as a singular fall conference but eventually expanded to include a summer conference; last year, it expanded again to include a third conference called RAPIDS (Relevant Advanced Practice Immuno-Dermatology Symposium). These conferences offer networking and engagement opportunities, as well as top-quality content and speakers.

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At this year’s Elevate-Derm Fall Conference, there were several excellent presentations on plaque psoriasis. For example, there were multiple excellent lectures from a rheumatologist named Julio A. Gonzalez-Paoli, MD. In one session, he spoke about psoriatic disease and how it is managed in the rheumatology clinics. Dr Gonzalez-Paoli encouraged rheumatology-dermatology collaboration when managing psoriatic disease and reviewed how to perform a very quick and easy 2-minute joint examination as a screening for psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis screening questions and the differential diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis (and how it differs from rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of arthritis) rounded out this excellent lecture.

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In the United States, the average wait time to see a rheumatologist is between 4 and 6 months. So, if you are seeing a patient at a dermatology office with suspected joint disease, and you know that it may take months to get them to a rheumatologist, what do you do? It was nice to hear a rheumatologist’s perspective because if a patient has signs and symptoms of progressive joint disease, they could develop irreversible joint damage in just 6 months. So, you may need to intervene ahead of a rheumatology referral. Moreover, if the patient is not already on a medication that has a psoriatic arthritis indication, they need to be on one. Dr Gonzalez-Paoli’s presentation was well received. Everyone wanted to hear more from this rheumatologist about how to manage joint issues in patients with psoriasis.

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In addition, Victoria Garcia-Albea, NP, gave a session on the scientific abstracts and posters that were submitted to the 6th Annual Elevate-Derm Fall Conference. Among the many abstracts, the 52-week efficacy and safety data for deucravacitinib in scalp psoriasis generated some discussion, as did the upcoming oral peptide IL-23 receptor inhibitor icotrokinra. Its efficacy for treating moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and high-impact sites, as well as its maintenance of response over 52 weeks, were reviewed. Additionally, she discussed the 48-week safety and efficacy of guselkumab from the SPECTREM trial, which looked at low body surface area, moderate psoriasis involvement in high-impact areas such as the scalp, face, and genitals. More than 90% of patients sustained clearance in these extension data. Overall, the highest number of questions in this session were focused on icotrokinra because of its novel mechanism of action, oral delivery, high efficacy, and seemingly safe profile.

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The final lecture of the Elevate-Derm Fall Conference also included topics that were very relevant to the management of psoriasis. Patricia M. Delgado, NP, who has certification both in dermatology and psychiatry, focused on the “psyche and the skin.” During this presentation, Ms Delgado talked about mental health and dermatology. While touching on many skin disorders that are high risk for anxiety and depression, psoriasis was certainly a focus. The presentation included tips on how to be empathetic, ask open-ended questions, and invite patients with psoriasis and other skin conditions to talk about their circumstances. Pausing to listen (eg, “Let them tell their story!”), physical touch (eg, take the time do the complete examination), and discussing several treatment options builds trust and offers hope.

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By this time next year, we may finally have our hands on several new and upcoming medications. That means gaining novel, in-office therapeutic experience and comparing it with clinical trial results. Moreover, every new year brings updates that include additional safety data, label updates, and new indications. These conferences offer an excellent opportunity to increase clinical acumen and improve as an evidence-based practitioner and prescriber.