News about the Editors, Theme Issuess and Performance of Acta Dermato-Venereologica

It is with mixed feelings of gratitude and regret that I wish to inform readers that Professor Torbjörn Egelrud, Co-Editor and Section Editor of this journal for more than a decade, has decided to retire from office. Professor Egelrud was also Chairman of the Society for Publication of Acta Dermato-Venereologica between 2005 and 2012. His expertise in dermatological science has greatly benefitted the manuscript selection process, and his many sound arguments on the Editorial Board were instrumental during the turbulent period when Acta Dermato-Venereologica was transformed from a subscription-based journal, dependent on its publishing company, into a commercially independent, non-profit Open Access e-journal.

At the same time I am very pleased to announce that Professor Artur Schmitdchen, who has been a Section Editor since 2011 (see Editorial vol. 91, issue 6), has accepted to become the new Co-Editor.

As a new Section Editor specialized in Psoriasis and Related Disorders, I am also very happy to welcome Professor Lone Skov, Copenhagen. Dr Skov is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology and Venereology at Gentofte Hospital and Copenhagen University.

Fortunately, and mainly thanks to my many competent co-workers in the office and on the Board, Acta Dermato-Venereologica is thriving, with numerous good-quality papers submitted from all over the world. The impact factor (which is currently 3.176) continues to rise. We receive around 500 papers per year, with approximately 45% of these eventually being accepted for publication. The geographical distribution of published papers in 2010 to 2012 is shown in Fig. 1. A majority of the papers originate from Europe, with Asia coming second.

Fig. 1. Geographical distribution of published papers during the years 2010–2012.

To further increase the readability of Acta Dermato-Venereologica we have tested several new ideas recently: theme issues in which regular papers on similar subjects are presented together with an introductory Commentary by the handling Editor(s) have appeared since volume 92. The present issue is different, however, in that “Dermatological Education” and “Self-inflicted Skin Diseases” are highlighted rather than a particular scientific field. However, the next issue will again be devoted to a specialized field, namely “Venereology and Sexually-transmitted Infections”, and thereafter “Wound Healing and Connective Tissue” will be highlighted. In order to gain an impression of how this theme initiative, which was launched in February 2012, has been received, the Editorial office has decided to ask readers their opinion (see www.medicaljournals.se/adv/questionnaire). We would be most grateful for your support with this questionnaire. It also includes questions about the Quiz section, which was introduced some years ago as a way to also allow us to publish short case reports that have little news value, but are of high educational value.

With continued support from the readers, authors, referees and all members of the Advisory and Editorial Boards, we hope to improve even further the quality and impact of our journal.

Uppsala in December 2012

Anders Vahlquist, Editor-in-Chief