Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Facts and Anecdotes There are some strict rules in life and there are some myths. People have a hard time distinguishing one from the other. Usually, what is someone's opinion is not objective. It is what a person thinks rather than the fact. in order to have objective facts, we have to observe real life events or circumstances and relate to them with no biased opinions. This is even more significant in medical science or medical information. You may read hundreds of opinions on-line about how to treat certain diseases and all of it, especially on social media, will be considered storytelling. We call it anecdotal. In order to present a real medical treatment plan, we have to have clinical trials conducted, proving that certain treatments are effective and do no harm. Facts are important in medicine more than ever. We live in an age of overwhelming social media presence, conspiracy theories, made up histories and more. It is borderline dangerous to listen to or read some of the advice proposed by media users, even if they hold public positions. But it is sometimes beneficial to share observations and suggest some thoughts, especially if they were identified in real patients. One of those anecdotal stories is that usually medications work better for patients who are in, so called, good shape. In other words, if you take a dose of medication and you are 180 lbs. of weight then there is a chance that medication will work better for you than for a person of 300 lbs. of weight. Some medication is weight- to-dose proportional, but many are not. We have noticed that patients with psoriasis who lose weight in the process of treatment respond much better to that treatment and it means quicker and more effectively. And those who gain weight tend not to clear completely. Our observations are many, over the years and with multiple drugs for psoriasis, but we never conducted a study to show evidence that what we see is true. Now, we will have an opportunity to participate in that kind of project as ma a clinical study. We hope very much to see that what we have observed is confirmed by research in a larger group. If we do succeed in showing these outcomes, there will be a big chance that patients will be offered dual treatment: for psoriasis and for weight loss. This is not a plan for a miracle pill or shot. Weight loss drugs require some lifestyle changes and discipline if they are to work permanently. You would not be allowed to spend your life on a couch, with a bag of chips, take shots and become skinny. This is not how it works. But the medication helps in re-establishing proper glycemic factors that allow not only weight loss but also prevent chronic diseases like diabetes or arthritis. The mechanism of action of these drugs promotes healthy lifestyle, prevention, or improvement of chronic inflammatory conditions, and losing weight as a result of it. It happened to be that psoriasis or arthritis, or many other diseases are inflammatory-based, and we cannot wait to prove that what we have observed as subjective story telling is in fact medical truth. Keep up with us and we will share more soon. Michael Bukhalo, MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Tel. 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net Business Insight presented by Arlington Dermatology Facts and Anecdotes There are some strict rules in life and there are some myths . People have a hard time distinguishing one from the other . Usually , what is someone's opinion is not objective . It is what a person thinks rather than the fact . in order to have objective facts , we have to observe real life events or circumstances and relate to them with no biased opinions . This is even more significant in medical science or medical information . You may read hundreds of opinions on - line about how to treat certain diseases and all of it , especially on social media , will be considered storytelling . We call it anecdotal . In order to present a real medical treatment plan , we have to have clinical trials conducted , proving that certain treatments are effective and do no harm . Facts are important in medicine more than ever . We live in an age of overwhelming social media presence , conspiracy theories , made up histories and more . It is borderline dangerous to listen to or read some of the advice proposed by media users , even if they hold public positions . But it is sometimes beneficial to share observations and suggest some thoughts , especially if they were identified in real patients . One of those anecdotal stories is that usually medications work better for patients who are in , so called , good shape . In other words , if you take a dose of medication and you are 180 lbs . of weight then there is a chance that medication will work better for you than for a person of 300 lbs . of weight . Some medication is weight- to - dose proportional , but many are not . We have noticed that patients with psoriasis who lose weight in the process of treatment respond much better to that treatment and it means quicker and more effectively . And those who gain weight tend not to clear completely . Our observations are many , over the years and with multiple drugs for psoriasis , but we never conducted a study to show evidence that what we see is true . Now , we will have an opportunity to participate in that kind of project as ma a clinical study . We hope very much to see that what we have observed is confirmed by research in a larger group . If we do succeed in showing these outcomes , there will be a big chance that patients will be offered dual treatment : for psoriasis and for weight loss . This is not a plan for a miracle pill or shot . Weight loss drugs require some lifestyle changes and discipline if they are to work permanently . You would not be allowed to spend your life on a couch , with a bag of chips , take shots and become skinny . This is not how it works . But the medication helps in re - establishing proper glycemic factors that allow not only weight loss but also prevent chronic diseases like diabetes or arthritis . The mechanism of action of these drugs promotes healthy lifestyle , prevention , or improvement of chronic inflammatory conditions , and losing weight as a result of it . It happened to be that psoriasis or arthritis , or many other diseases are inflammatory - based , and we cannot wait to prove that what we have observed as subjective story telling is in fact medical truth . Keep up with us and we will share more soon . Michael Bukhalo , MD Arlington Dermatology 5301 Keystone Court Rolling Meadows , IL 60008 Tel . 847 392 5440 | www.arlingtondermatology.net