ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Many different dermatologic manifestations can accompany a variety of systemic diseases such as rheumatic disorders. The number of patients who have skin lesions related to systemic diseases is steadily increasing. In such cases, dermatologic consultation can be important to diagnosis and treatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze patterns of skin manifestations in rheumatic diseases. METHODS: We did an analysis of data for 192 inpatients who were referred by the department of rheumatology and consulted by the department of dermatology between May 1, 2005 and April 30, 2009. We retrospectively reviewed their medical records and noted age, sex, reasons for dermatologic consultation, diagnosis of the dermatoses and changed diagnosis after the consultation. RESULTS: The percent of patients who were referred by the department of rheumatology and consulted by the department of dermatology was 15.5% (192 consulted inpatients/1,242 rheumatologic inpatients). The most frequent age group was those in their 5th decade of life (23.0%) and the male to female ratio was 1:2.15. Consultations for dermatologic manifestations unrelated to systemic or rheumatic diseases were the most common reason for consultation (62.0%). Dermatoses related to systemic or rheumatic diseases were the 2nd most common reason of consultation (34.9%). Infectious diseases were the most common dermatoses (46 cases). There were 13 cases where there was a diagnosis of undetermined dermatoses and changed diagnosis after dermatologic consultation. CONCLUSION: Analysis of consultations from inpatients referred by the department of rheumatology to the department of dermatology indicates that there is a substantial number of patients that have skin manifestations of their rheumatic diseases.