A Statistical Study of Dermatoses in Kangwon Province, 2010~2014

Choi, Jaewoong; Ahn, Sung Ku

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of skin diseases at a university hospital may not truly indicate their prevalence in the general population; nevertheless, it is the only available source of information.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of common dermatoses and compare this with previous reports.
METHODS
We reviewed 29,477 new outpatients who visited the department of dermatology at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital from 2010 to 2014, and statistically analyzed the findings.
RESULTS
Among the 29,477 outpatients, 14,501 (49.2%) were men and 14,976 (50.8%) were women. More patients were in their sixth decade (17.1%) or over 70 years (15.4%), in their seventh decade (13.5%) or in their fifth decade (13.0%), comprising 59% of the total outpatients. The 20 most common dermatoses were found to be urticaria, dermatophytosis, allergic contact dermatitis, other types of eczema, atopic dermatitis, pruritus, verruca, herpes zoster, alopecia, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, drug eruptions, folliculitis, rosacea, benign epidermal tumor, melanocyte nevus, vitiligo, scabies, herpes simplex virus infection, and bacterial infection. In the distribution of dermatoses as disease groups, viral disease (11.2%), atopic dermatitis and eczema (10.7%); contact dermatitis and drug eruption (10.3%); erythema and urticaria (8.4%); fungal disease (7.6%); skin appendage disease (6.9%); seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, and pustular dermatoses (5.5%); epidermal nevi, neoplasms, and cysts (4.8%); pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatoses (4.6%); and acne (3.8%) constituted 73.8% of the total.
CONCLUSION
Compared to the previous studies in the same area, the distribution of skin diseases was similar. The increasing tendency of older individuals with diseases in Gangwon province has persisted since 2000.