Eczema; frequency of different types in a tertiary care hospital

Objectives: To determine the frequency of different types of eczema in patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive type of study. Setting: Hamdard University Hospital Karachi. Period: January 2013 till December 2013

Patients and Methods: All new cases of any type of eczema were registered by nonprobability convenient sampling. Total 192 patients of both genders and all ages were enrolled after taking informed consent. Diagnosis was made on detailed history and clinical examination by consultant dermatologist. All specific and relevant investigations were done according to requirement. Patients were divided in two groups, exogenous eczema and endogenous eczema, for convenience. Data was analyzed by the latest version of SPSS

Results: There were 192 patients, out of which 52.08% were males and 47.91% females. Out of the total presented patients 50% had endogenous eczema, 43.37% had exogenous eczema and 25.62% had unspecified eczema. In endogenous group 11.45% had hand dermatitis followed by seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and asteatotic eczema in descending frequency of presentation. Pityriasis alba, discoid eczema and pompholyx were seen less frequent. In exogenous eczema allergic contact dermatitis was seen in 14.06% patients, while irritant contact dermatitis in 11.45% patients. Infective eczema and photo-allergic eczema were seen in small number of patients

Conclusion: It was found in this study that allergic contact dermatitis was most common type of eczema followed by other types. Whatever the type is, eczema can be treated, symptoms can be relieved and recurrences can be prevented by appropriate therapy. All types of eczema affect patient's quality of life adversely. However, they can be prevented by educating patients and their relatives to take adequate safety measures like using good quality emollients prophylactically

Pattern of skin diseases in a tertiary care private hospital, Karachi

To determine the pattern of skin diseases in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi and to compare the results with local and international literature. The current study was carried out in the Dermatology Department, Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi from 1[st] September 2011 to 31[st] August 2012 over a period of 1 year. All the freshly registered patients presenting in the outpatient were enrolled irrespective of gender and age, after an informed consent. Clinical diagnosis was made on the basis of detailed history and clinical examination. Laboratory investigations were performed where required e.g. routine investigations and biochemical profile. Skin biopsy and histopathology were performed in doubtful cases. All the findings were recorded, compiled, tabulated and analyzed. 1733 patients comprising 936 [54%] females and 797 [46%] males were enrolled. There were 728 [42%] children and 1005 [58%] adults. Infections and infestations were the most common skin conditions constituting 37.4% of all the enrolled patients of which 399 [23%] were children and 250 [14.4%] adults. Eczema was next in frequency comprising 313 [18%] patients including 150 [8.6%] children and 163 [9.4%] adults. Acne was seen in 229 [13%] patients, urticaria in 97 [5.5%] while hair disorders were recorded in 66 [4%] patients. Papulosquamous disorders and pigmentary dermatoses were observed in less than 3% of the patients studied. Scabies presented with the highest frequency [18%] and among pyodermas [10%], furunculosis [4%] and impetigo 59 [3%], being the most frequent. Fungal infections [3%] had a frequency more then viral infections [2%]. Atopic dermatitis was the most frequently seen eczema [6%] followed by seborrhoeic dermatitis [5%] and contact dermatitis [4.5%]. The pattern of skin diseases is same in various cities of Pakistan with minor differences. Scabies and infections remain the most common diseases while eczema also constitutes an important group of dermatoses in our part of the world