Cochrane Skin is the Cochrane thematic group dedicated to dermatological diseases. Cochrane is organized into 53 thematic groups. Established in 1997, Cochrane Skin is responsible for dermatology. Its mission is to produce high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses to inform healthcare decision-making in dermatology and promote evidence-based medicine.

A French satellite of Cochrane Skin has existed since 2012, marking the progressive involvement of the French dermatology community in developing methodological syntheses in dermatology. This momentum was strengthened with the official transfer of the group to France in April 2023.

Since 2023, Cochrane Skin has been coordinated by Professor Laurence Le Cleach Henri Mondor Hospital (AP-HP) – Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC), supported by Dr Bob Boyle, based in London, and Professor Ching-Chi Chi, based in Taiwan, as Deputy Coordinating Editors. This relocation represents an important milestone in the development of evidence-based dermatology in France and Europe.

The French base of Cochrane Skin benefits from financial support from the French Society of Dermatology , reflecting the institutional commitment of French dermatology to the production and dissemination of independent scientific syntheses.

Dermatological expertise

The new team includes dermatologists, methodologists, and systematic review experts (editorial base and editors). The objective is to develop high-quality data syntheses to inform decision-making.

Reference systematic reviews

Since its creation, Cochrane Skin has published more than 100 systematic reviews, and 15 updates or new reviews are currently underway. Over the past three years, reviews produced by Cochrane Skin have served as the basis for 70 international recommendations.

Missions of Cochrane Skin

• Produce Systematic Reviews In Dermatology Using Rigorous Methodology.
• Perform Meta-Analyses Comparing Treatment Efficacy And Safety.
• Disseminate Evidence Summaries To Healthcare Professionals.
• Contribute To The Development Of Clinical Guidelines.
• Train Dermatologists And Researchers In Evidence-Based Medicine.
• Identify Research Gaps In Dermatology.

Cochrane Skin’s work covers the full spectrum of dermatological conditions, including inflammatory, infectious, tumor-related, and genetic diseases, as well as systemic and topical dermatological therapies.

An international reference in evidence-based dermatology

Reviews produced by Cochrane Skin rely on a standardized methodology including:

• Pre-Registered Protocols.
• Comprehensive Literature Searches.
• Independent Study Selection.
• Risk-Of-Bias Assessment.
• Qualitative And Quantitative Data Synthesis.
• Interpretation According To The Quality Of Evidence.

These syntheses serve as references for research, education, and the development of national and international dermatology guidelines.

A leading evidence database library

The Cochrane Library remains one of the most reliable sources of evidence synthesis worldwide. Its impact factor was 12 (7.4 for Cochrane Skin) in 2021.

Since its establishment in France in 2023, Cochrane Skin has strengthened the role of the French dermatology community in producing evidence and promoting clinical practice based on scientific evidence.