Sebastian Sitaru

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Die digitale Transformation verändert die Dermatologie grundlegend und eröffnet neue Möglichkeiten in Diagnostik, Therapie und Versorgungsorganisation. Große Datenmengen in Kombination mit Künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) erlauben eine präzisere Klassifikation und Prognose, insbesondere durch die Analyse klinischer und dermatoskopischer Bilddaten. Zunehmend werden auch synthetisch generierte Daten für das Training neuer Algorithmen genutzt, deren klinische Validität noch geprüft werden muss. Teledermatologie hat sich als fester Bestandteil der Versorgung etabliert. Videokonsultationen und asynchrone Bildübertragungen verbessern die Erreichbarkeit dermatologischer Expertise und könnten insbesondere in strukturschwachen Regionen eine Versorgungslücke schließen. Mobile Anwendungen und digitale Plattformen fördern zudem Adhärenz, Selbstmonitoring und die aktive Beteiligung der Patientinnen und Patienten am Behandlungsprozess. Trotz dieser Chancen bestehen gleichzeitig auch große Herausforderungen. Datenschutz, Interoperabilität und regulatorische Rahmenbedingungen müssen adressiert werden, um eine nachhaltige Implementierung sicherzustellen. Entscheidend ist darüber hinaus die interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zwischen Medizin, Technik und Gesundheitsökonomie. Dabei kommt Ärztinnen und Ärzte als Fachexperten eine zentrale Rolle zu, sowohl bei der Bewertung der Datenqualität als auch bei der klinischen Interpretation digitaler Systeme. Ebenso wichtig ist eine kontinuierliche Schulung des Fachpersonals. Insgesamt bietet die Digitalisierung ein großes Potenzial zur Verbesserung der dermatologischen Versorgung. Voraussetzung hierfür sind strukturierte Prozesse, Qualitätssicherung und die konsequente Einbindung von Patientinnen und Patienten.

SUMMARY: Digital transformation is fundamentally reshaping dermatology, creating new opportunities in diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare organization. Large datasets combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) enable more precise classification and prognosis, particularly through the analysis of clinical and dermoscopic imaging. Increasingly, synthetically generated data is used to train new algorithms, though its clinical validity remains under evaluation. Teledermatology has established itself as an integral part of care. Video consultations and asynchronous image transfers enhance accessibility to dermatological expertise and can bridge care gaps, especially in structurally weak regions. Furthermore, mobile applications and digital platforms promote adherence, self‐monitoring, and active patient engagement. Despite these opportunities, challenges regarding data protection, interoperability, and regulatory frameworks must be addressed to ensure sustainable implementation. Interdisciplinary collaboration between medicine, technology, and health economics is crucial. Physicians play a central role as subject matter experts in assessing data quality and providing clinical interpretation of digital systems. Continuous training of medical staff remains essential. Overall, digitalization offers significant potential to improve dermatological care, provided there are structured processes, quality assurance, and consistent patient involvement.

Background: The prevalence of food and drug allergies has been steadily increasing in Germany. These conditions not only impair the quality of life of those affected but also place an additional burden on the health care system. At the same time, an increasing number of people are using the internet and other digital sources to seek health-related information. Objective: This study aimed to use the Google Ads Keyword Planner to identify the information needs and knowledge gaps of the internet-using population in Germany and to provide a foundation for future prevention and educational strategies regarding food and drug allergies. Methods: Relevant keywords related to selected food and drug allergies were extracted using the Google Ads Keyword Planner and analyzed according to predefined criteria. The observation period was from September 2022 to October 2024. Results: A total of 633 keywords related to specific types of food and drug allergies were identified, generating a combined search volume of 3,649,390 queries. The most frequently searched terms nationwide were “histamine allergy” (368,980/3,649,390, 10.1%), “penicillin allergy” (266,410/3,649,390, 7.3%), and “nut allergy” (103,850/3,649,390, 2.8%). Although “histamine allergy” was the most frequently searched term in this analysis, most searches for “histamine allergy” likely referred to an intolerance rather than a true immunoglobulin E–mediated allergy. Seasonal patterns were also observed, with increased searches for the categories “nut” and “penicillin” in the winter months and for “histamine” in the spring months. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the potential of Google search query data analysis in a medical context and, in particular, underscores its relevance for understanding the public interest in food and drug allergies in Germany. The findings highlight the need for improved, easily accessible educational resources and for implementing allergy-specific, socially relevant health campaigns to address the unmet information needs of the population living in Germany regarding food and drug allergies.

Background: Eosinophilia and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) are rare disorders grouped under the term hypereosinophilic disorders. They are diagnosed based on an increased number of eosinophils. They can also cause serious symptoms, including skin, lung, and gastrointestinal problems. These disorders are very rarely recognized due to their rarity and misdiagnosis. Objective: This study analyzes public interest in hypereosinophilic disorders using data on internet search volume in Germany between 2020 and 2023. Objectives include identifying frequently searched terms, evaluating temporal trends, analyzing seasonal patterns, evaluating geographic differences in search behavior, and identifying unmet information needs and frequently searched risk factors. Methods: A retrospective analysis using Google Ads Keyword Planner gathered monthly search volume data for 12 German terms related to hypereosinophilic disorders. These terms were selected based on their medical relevance and common usage identified from medical literature. Data were analyzed descriptively, with trends, seasonal variations, and geographical distributions examined. Chi-square tests and correlation analysis assessed statistical significance. Results: A total of 178 keywords were identified, resulting in a search volume of 1,745,540 queries. The top keyword was “eosophile,” a misspelling, followed by “eosinophilia” and “HES.” The main categories included “Eosinophilia,” “Eosinophils,” and “Churg-Strauss syndrome.” Temporal analysis showed seasonal growth in search volumes, peaking in January 2023, with higher interest during winter. Geographical analysis showed regional variations. Conclusions: This research shows a growing public interest in eosinophilic diseases, reflected by a steadily increasing search volume over time. This is particularly evident in searches for basic definitions and diagnostic criteria, such as “eosinophils” or “symptoms of eosinophilic diseases.” This increase in search volume, which peaked in January 2023, indicates an increased interest in accurate and readily available information for rare conditions.

Background: In mid‐2024, German media reported increasing fungal infections by Trichophyton tonsurans linked to visits to barbershops. However, epidemiological data confirming a rise in tinea capitis and tinea corporis due to Trichophyton tonsurans are lacking.Objectives: This study assesses dermatophyte species and clinical types of infections in German university hospitals in 2018 and 2023.Patients/Methods: This retrospective, multicentre study analyses mycological culture results from three Departments of Dermatology in Freiburg, Tübingen and Munich. The dermatophyte, along with the sampled body site, age and gender of the affected patient, was recorded.Results: 1915 patients (male: 66.1%; mean age: 50 ± 24 years) with a dermatophyte‐positive culture were identified. The most common dermatophyte was Trichophyton rubrum (2018: 78.7%; 2023: 66.3%) with tinea pedis and tinea unguium being the most prevalent types of infection. An increase in tinea corporis and tinea capitis was observed, with tinea capitis doubling from 4.3% to 9.3%. In 2023, Trichophyton tonsurans emerged as the prevailing dermatophyte (67.6%) in tinea capitis and as the second most frequent agent in tinea corporis (26.3%). This dominance of Trichophyton tonsurans was consistently observed across all three study centres. Trichophyton tonsurans affected patients presented a median age of 18 years in 2023 (vs. 9 years in 2018) and an amplified imbalance towards the male gender.Conclusions: The pathogen spectrum and infection patterns have changed in Germany due to the increase of Trichophyton tonsurans infections. Intensified screening and hygiene measures, as well as adaptation of initial empiric treatment of tinea capitis, should be considered.

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die chronische spontane Urtikaria (CSU) beeinträchtigt die Lebensqualität der Patienten erheblich. Trotz Fortschritten bei Diagnose und Therapie ist die Behandlung immer noch unzureichend. Die Telemedizin bietet eine vielversprechende Lösung zur Verbesserung der Behandlung. Diese Pilotstudie bewertet die Akzeptanz und Nutzung eines digitalen Gesundheitskonzepts für die CSU, untersucht dessen Auswirkungen auf das Krankheitsmanagement und zeigt technische Herausforderungen auf.Patienten und Methodik: In diese prospektive Pilotstudie wurden CSU‐Patienten einer Universitätsklinik in Deutschland einbezogen. Über einen Zeitraum von 12 Monaten interagierten die Teilnehmer mit Ärzten über eine telemedizinische Plattform, welche die studienspezifische Intervention darstellte. Nach jeder dreimonatigen digitalen Visite wurden die Symptome und die Lebensqualität anhand von digitalen patientenberichteten Ergebnissen (ePROs) und Online‐Fragebögen bewertet. Am Ende bewerteten Patienten und Ärzte die allgemeine Zufriedenheit, die Benutzerfreundlichkeit der Plattform und die technischen Herausforderungen.Ergebnisse: 24 Patienten nahmen an der Studie teil. Die Mehrheit (92%) gab an, dass das digitale Konzept eine vielversprechende Alternative zu herkömmlichen Beratungsgesprächen sein könnte. Die Analyse von Beginn Ende der Studie ergab, dass die Krankheitskontrolle stabil blieb, während sich die Lebensqualität verbesserte. Alle Ärzte empfanden die digitale Anwendung als zuverlässig und zeitsparend.Schlussfolgerungen: Diese Pilotstudie zeigt die Machbarkeit und hohe Akzeptanz eines digitalen Gesundheitskonzepts für das Management von CSU. Weitere Forschungen mit größeren Kohorten sind erforderlich, um eine breitere Anwendbarkeit zu ermitteln.