Clinical spectrum of skin diseases in a newly established dermatology clinic in south-western Nigeria: a preliminary study

Abstract

Background: Skin diseases are major health problems especially in resource poor countries and one of the most frequent conditions informing hospital visit. Despite its low mortality, morbidity is however remarkable due partly to meagre resources allocated to skin health care and inadequate dermatologists to manage the increasing number of cases. This preliminary study therefore seeks to evaluate the clinical characteristics of skin diseases in a newly established clinic in Owo, a semi-urban settlement, in South-western Nigeria. The data from this study can assist the health policy makers in prioritizing resources allocated to health to improve skin health and also creates awareness on how prevalent skin diseases are in this locality with a view to giving it the desired attention.

Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out between April, 2016 and March, 2017. Information comprising age, sex and diagnoses were retrieved from the medical records of all the patients that attended the Dermatology Clinic within the study period.

Results: We reviewed 204 patients' medical records within the study period. The mean age was 33.88 ± 20.57 (SD) years with age ranged between seven months and 81 years. The females formed 55.4% of the patients with male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Infections had the highest prevalence of 33.3% with about half being fungal infections (16.2%). Infections of public health importance like leprosy and onchocerciasis were 1.0% each. Scabies was seen in significant number (6.4%) of the patients. Papulosquamous and reactive dermatoses were seen with equal proportion (10.8% each). Vitiligo was the most common pigmentary disorders found in this study. Acne and acneform eruptions was 5.4%. Atopic dermatitis was the predominant dermatitis seen among the patients with eczema.

Conclusions: Infectious dermatoses remain the commonest cause of skin diseases. Addressing poverty, instituting public health preventive measures and increase access to dermatologist will enhance patients' skin health.

Conflict of Interest: There is no conflict of interest.

Running Title: Skin diseases newly established dermatology clinic

Keywords: spectrum, skin, disease, dermatology, clinic