Psychodermatology

Journal Article Annotations
2025, 2nd Quarter

Psychodermatology

Annotations by J. Jewel Shim, MD, FACLP, FAPA
September, 2025

  1. Bipolar disorder among individuals with atopic dermatitis: a case-control study in the All of Us Research Program .
  2. Role of Inflammation and Cytokine Dysregulation in Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Skin Conditions.
  3. MRI-based neuroimaging alterations in immune-related skin diseases: a 3rd review.

Of interest:

Reported psychiatric adverse events among isotretinoin users: Monitoring priorities from a 20-year FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database study .


PUBLICATION #1 — Psychodermatology

Bipolar disorder among individuals with atopic dermatitis: a case-control study in the All of Us Research Program .
Anthony Mitchel Wride, Gloria F Chen, Ryan Fan, Audrey C Leasure, Stephen Scott Jones, Daniel F Levey, William Damsky, Jeffrey M Cohen

Annotation

The finding:
This is a case control study using data from an NIH database, examining the association between atopic dermatitis (AD) and bipolar disorder, furthering work done in Taiwan and in the UK with that found an association between the inflammatory skin condition and bipolar mood disorder.  This study did confirm this association, identifying an odds ratio of 1.49 for bipolar disorder in patients with AD.  

Strength and weaknesses:
A major strength is that this study used a large, diverse cohort.  Weaknesses include the retrospective nature of the study, which limited the type of information available to the investigators, such as the severity of disease.  The database itself was comprised mostly of groups historically under-represented in biomedical research and thus limits the generalizability of the results to the larger population 

Relevance:
These results add to the growing body of knowledge regarding immunological factors and their association with mental health disorders and may inform future therapeutics for both types of diseases.  


PUBLICATION #2 — Psychodermatology

Role of Inflammation and Cytokine Dysregulation in Depression in Patients with Inflammatory Skin Conditions.
Olivia M Katamanin, Isabella J Tan, Jillian Barry, Mohammad Jafferany


Annotation

The finding:
This is a review of the current knowledge of the role of inflammation and the immune system in the pathogenesis of depression and inflammatory skin disorders.  It further underscores the growing body of evidence regarding these mechanisms and highlights several treatment approaches which apply the knowledge regarding these shared inflammatory cytokine pathways to potentially address both the skin condition and depression

Strength and weaknesses:
This is merely a review of the existing literature rather than a research study.  However, it presents a clear overview of the shared pathophysiology underlying both inflammatory dermatoses and depression and as such, the recommendation to use a comprehensive, collaborative approach to treating these conditions.

Relevance:
This review broadens our view of the causes of depression and offers a novel approach for treatment.


PUBLICATION #3 — Psychodermatology

MRI-based neuroimaging alterations in immune-related skin diseases: a comprehensive review.
Siqi Tan, Ziyan Chen, Liu Yunyao, Yang Hedan, Tong Lin.


Annotation

The finding:
This is a review of the existing brain connectome studies relating to immune-related skin diseases, specifically systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriasis, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), and atopic dermatitis (AD).  Most of the existing studies are with SLE, and indicate both structural and functional abnormalities, though causality could not be established.  Neuroimaging studies examining psoriasis, CSU and AD to date are limited but have also demonstrated alterations in structure and functional connectivity.  

Strength and weaknesses:
This a review article rather than a research study but provides a detailed summary of the current literature and suggests areas for further investigation. It further emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to the understanding and treatment of mental health disorder and immune-related skin diseases.  

Relevance:
The review enlarges our understanding of the potential brain mechanisms that are involved in the development of mental health and dermatological conditions. 


PUBLICATION #4 — Psychodermatology

Reported psychiatric adverse events among isotretinoin users: Monitoring priorities from a 20-year FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database study .
Wenjia Nie, Xiaopeng Wu, Yuting Xia, Liyun Zheng, Hengcheng Lu.

Annotation (unstructured)
This study summarizes the isotretinoin related psychiatric adverse events (AE) as reported to the FDA between 2004-2024. It confirms the evidence that isotretinoin may increase the risk for psychiatric AE, particularly in patients with acne.   Mood disorder, suicide, self-injury, and psychosis were highlighted as the most serious AE.  It also identified that such symptoms can occur relatively early in the treatment course.