ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the frequency of skin dermatosis in patients with primary psychiatric conditions.
Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Fountain House, Lahore, which is a tertiary care center for psychiatric patients having indoor and outdoor facility. All the admitted psychiatric patients [294] were enrolled in the study. They were thoroughly examined for any skin dermatosis. Out of 294, skin disorders were seen in 172 [58.5%] patients, 89 [60.6%] males and 58 [39.4%] females. The most common primary psychiatric conditions was schizophrenia 47.5% followed by patients of substance abuse 26.5%, bipolar disorder 13.1%, depression and psychosis each in 8.2%. 2.7% patients were manic. Of the study group, 16.3% patients had infective dermatoses and the rest had noninfective dermatoses. A high incidence of generalized xerosis and pruritus was seen in both males and females. Among noninfective dermatoses, 10.1% had eczema, 6.2% acne, 5% melasma, 4.1% palmoplantar keratoderma, 3.2% neurotic excoriations, 3.2% dermatitis artifacta, 2.7% trichotillomania, 2.1% miliaria, and 1.4% had ichthyosis.
Conclusion A high incidence of fungal infections mainly tinea versicolor and onychomycosis was seen in the patients with primary psychiatric conditions.