ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Keloids may occur at any age, but tend tend velop between the ages of 10 and 30. The incidence and median age of onset are equal for both sexes. Keloids are common among the darker pigmented rices, but there have been a few clinia studies of keloids in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpcse of this study was to evaluate the variable clinical characteristics of keloids in Korea. METHODS: This clinical investigation was made with 223 of patients of keloid who had visited the Department of Derrnatology, Chonnam University Hosptal from January 1984 to December 1993. RESULTS: 1.The annual incidenie averaged over 10 years was 0.831 (361 cases of total 43,752 outpatients). 2.The ratio of male to female was 1: 0.94(Male. 115, Feila 108). 3.The mean age of the onset and at the first visit to our hospital were 24.5years and 29.2 years respectively. 4.In our series tte presternal area was the most commor saes, the shouder region next. Most keloids on the shoulder were related to BCG vaccination in ifoncy or chilhood. 5.The precipitating fa ctors associated with keloid were riaeeding dermatologic diseases(33.2 %), unknown(17.9%) rejection & vaccination(15.2%), operation(13.9%), burn(13.9%) and laceration(5.8%) in descending order. 6.Among preceeding as, iociated dermatologic diseases, acne w s the most common. 7. A positive family history is more likely in cases of mitile keloidal (p<0,001), and severe keloidal formation. 8.Most patients did not. complain of any symptorns(45.3%) nd a symptom of pain or tenderness(40.8%) was piesert rather than pruritus(13.9%). 9.The most prevaent tr eatment modality was intralesional injection with triamcinolone acetonide (84.3%). CONCLUSION: According, to this study, usually keloids occore in patients between 10 and 29 years of age, and most keloids were located on the antetio partion of the chest, shoulders, and face and scalp. A positive family history is more likely in as of multiple, severe keloidal for mation.