Korean J Dermatol.
2013 Sep;51(9):678-684.
Epidemiological and Clinical Study of Scabies in Korea: Multicenter Retrospective Study
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hecun@snu.ac.kr
- 2Department of Dermatology, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
- 3Department of Dermatology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Department of Dermatology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
- 5Department of Dermatology and Institute of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.
- 6Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
- 7Department of Dermatology, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
- 8Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
- 9Department of Dermatology, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- 10Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- 11Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
- 12Department of Dermatology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 13Department of Dermatology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 14Department of Dermatology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
- 15Department of Dermatology, Institute of Hair & Cosmetic Medicine, Wonju Severence Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
- 16Department of Dermatology, Younsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 17Department of Dermatology, Wonkwang University Hospital, Iksan, Korea.
- 18Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
- 19Department of Dermatology, Chosun University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
- 20Department of Dermatology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 21Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
- 22Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Medical Research Institute, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.
- 23Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Korea.
- 24Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 25Department of Dermatology, Skin Cancer and Laser Center, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
Scabies is one of the common skin diseases observed in developing countries. The incidence of scabies has decreased dramatically since the late 1980s in Korea. However, recent outbreaks in nursing homes or hospitals have been raising public health concerns.
OBJECTIVE
We intended to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. In particular, we tried to investigate the changing trend of contact sources in our society.
METHODS
A multi-center cross sectional study was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 1,539 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. These patients showed scabies mites or eggs under microscopic examination, or clinical improvement after treatment. Their medical records with information of contact sources were reviewed.
RESULTS
Six hundred and ninety-three patients were males and 826 were females. Patients' age from 70 to 79 was the most common followed by patients below 10 years of age. More patients were found in the fall and winter months. 66.7% of patients were thought to be infected at their homes which were situated next to nursing homes or hospitals (23.1%). Place of infection could not be verified in 39.3% of patients. 25.8% of patients were suggested to be infected through contact with medical staff or patients from hospitals or nursing homes.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed that the contact sources of scabies are changing in our society; nursing homes and hospitals are emerging sources of infection. The majority of patients are old or very young who are vulnerable to many diseases. Therefore, dermatologists should pay attention to new contact sources and appropriate care of patients.
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