Seasonal and Geographic Trends in Photodynamic Therapy and Cryosurgery Use in the United States: A Cross-sectional Study From 2015-2022.

Dawn Merritt, Jon Lyons, Mouna Mikati, Christian Geils, Todd Schlesinger

Abstract read

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Article in The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Dawn MerrittDr. Merritt is with OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio.

Jon LyonsDr. Lyons and Dr. Mikati are with Biofrontera Inc Medical Affairs in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Mouna MikatiDr. Lyons and Dr. Mikati are with Biofrontera Inc Medical Affairs in Woburn, Massachusetts.

Christian GeilsMr. Geils is with the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.

Todd SchlesingerDr. Schlesinger is with the Clinical Research Center of the Carolinas in Charleston, South Carolina.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective field treatment for actinic keratoses (AKs). It is an ideal option for patients who prefer a minimally invasive procedure conveniently administered in their physician's office. Anecdotal clinician insights suggest that it may not be used at the same rate year-round.

objectiveThis study investigates whether PDT and cryosurgery usage is affected by season and geographic location in the United States.

methodsThe data source is an aggregate of closed and open United States medical procedural claims (

resultsPDT utilization is affected by season and geographic location. Procedural claims peak during cooler months and decrease during warmer months, particularly where seasonal changes are more drastic. This trend repeats throughout the study period, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, use of cryosurgery remains unchanged. LIMITATIONS: The dataset does not capture claims from all commercial payers and CMS.

conclusionTo our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence of PDT seasonal usage patterns across the nation. This pattern could be attributed to several factors and the findings could serve as a learning opportunity for clinicians to reevaluate their approach in treating AKs.

Indexed as

Actinic keratosisCMScryosurgeryPDTphotodynamic therapyprocedural claimsreal-world evidenceseasonality

Identifiers

PMID41648095

PMCPMC12872257

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.