Melasma Clinical Trials Show Advancements in Inclusive Representation

A new analysis of melasma clinical trials indicates progress toward inclusivity, with broad gender, racial, and Fitzpatrick skin type (FST) representation.

Researchers publishing in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology analyzed melasma clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov, identifying 19 that met inclusion criteria with 614 total patients. The study found that women comprised 96.58% of trial participants, reflecting the condition's higher prevalence in female populations. Racial and ethnic diversity of the overall patient population was noted, with 43.10% of participants identifying as Hispanic or Latino, 23.71% as Asian, 15.52% as White, and 14.66% as Black or African American. The patient population consisted primarily of those with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV, accounting for more than 75% of participants.

"The identified gender, racial, and FST representation suggest a deliberate effort towards more inclusive research practices in dermatology," the authors concluded. "This trend towards inclusivity sets a valuable precedent for improving representation in research for other dermatological conditions that disproportionately impact skin of color patients."

Source: Wang J, et al. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2024. Doi:10.36849/JDD.8379