Skin study: Adults with INFLAMED SCALP (itch/redness/flaking/scaling) (San Francisco)
compensation:$150 Visa gift card
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UCSF Dermatology is looking for adults with scalp inflammation (itching, redness, flaking, or scaling) to participate in a clinical research study. The purpose of this study is to better understand different types of scalp inflammation through molecular profiling of inflamed skin.
Participation in this research study involves attending one in-person visit at UCSF.
What participation involves
At the study visit, a small skin biopsy of affected scalp skin will be taken. For this procedure, a small area of the scalp will be cleaned with an alcohol pad and numbed by injecting a local anesthetic into the skin. Afterwards, a 2–6 mm punch biopsy will be removed, and the resulting break in the skin will be stitched. A punch biopsy is a procedure in which a small, tube-shaped piece of skin and underlying tissue is removed using a sharp cutting tool. Skin biopsies are commonly performed in dermatology clinics; however, in this study, the biopsy will be used for research purposes.
The visit will take approximately 40 minutes total. There is no blood draw for this study.
Approximately 1–2 weeks after the biopsy, stitches will need to be removed. This can be done in one of the following ways: absorbable sutures that do not require removal, a suture removal kit to remove stitches at home, or a brief in-person visit lasting only a few minutes for stitch removal.
Molecular experiments (such as examining skin cell gene expression) may be performed on the biopsy samples to better understand inflammatory pathways involved in scalp disease.
Compensation
You will receive a $150 Visa gift card for completion of the biopsy visit.
Risks and privacy
A skin biopsy is generally a safe procedure, but complications can occur, including bleeding, bruising, scarring, infection, and allergic reaction to the anesthetic. Donating specimens may involve a loss of privacy, but information about you will be handled as confidentially as possible.
These specimens may be used for genetic research (research about diseases that may run in families). Even if the specimen is used for genetic research, the results will not be placed in your medical record. The research will not change the care you receive. Your specimen and any information about you will be kept until it is used up or destroyed and may be used to develop new drugs, tests, treatments, or products. In some instances, these may have potential commercial value.
Your personal health information will not be shared for additional research without appropriate approval. Genetic information (genotype data) and medical record information (phenotype data) may be shared broadly in coded form for future research or analysis. Certain medical information (for example, diagnosis, blood pressure, or age if under 85) may be shared with other researchers or public research databases, but your name, address, phone number, and other identifying information will not be shared. Research results will not be returned to you.
There will be no direct benefit to you from participating in this study. However, we hope the information learned will contribute to a better understanding of skin inflammation and disease.
Important notes
• This is a research study and does not provide treatment.
• Your usual dermatologic care will remain separate from the study.
• Participation is completely voluntary, and your medical care at UCSF will not be affected by your decision.
Eligibility (brief)
Participants must be at least 18 years old and have current scalp redness, flaking, scaling, or itching. Interested individuals will complete a brief screening to determine eligibility. Certain medical conditions, recent medication use, pregnancy, or immune-related conditions may affect eligibility.
How to inquire
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please email JASON.CHEN3 [at] UCSF.EDU and include “Scalp Inflammation Study” in the subject line. Please include your phone number and the best time to reach you for a brief screening call.
This research study is approved by the UCSF Institutional Review Board.