Pattern of skin disorders in Muzaffarabad: a comparison of pre- and post-earthquake scenario

ABSTRACT

Psyche and skin are closely related. The anatomical and physiological integrity is maintained when they are congruent in their functioning. Natural calamities and disasters affect this harmony adversely by causing psychological as well as physical trauma, which leads to a number of immediate as well as long term skin ailments. The study was aimed to observe any change in pattern of skin diseases in Muzaffarabad after devastating earthquake of October 8th, 2005. Patients and methods The study was carried out in CMH, Muzaffarabad from March, 2006 to August 2006. Patient's record of same six months of last year was retrieved and was compared with present record. Patients of all ages, with any cutaneous disease, attending the outpatient departments or admitted to the skin ward of Combined Military Hospital Muzaffarabad, from 1St March 2006 to 31St August 2006, were included in the study. A detailed dermatological evaluation was carried out in all patients. Relevant investigations like o scraping for fungus and biopsy were done when required. Indoor as well as outpatients' record for the same period of last year [2005] was retrieved. The information were duly documented and compiled. Prevalence of various common skin disorders was compared in pre and post earthquake scenario and statistical evaluation was done by calculating p-value after applying z-test. In post-earthquake period, overall proportion of skin patients increased when compared with similar per-earthquake period. Infections remained at the top in both scenarios but their proportion increased significantly after earthquake period. Psychocutaneous disorders like, trichotillothania and dermatitis artifacta were also frequently seen in post- earthquake period. Hair, nail, pigmentary disorders, sexually transmitted infections were statistically less frequent in post earthquake period. Eczemas, psoriasis and vitiligo were also less frequently reported. A significant increase in overall proportion of skin patients and prevalence of bacterial infections, viral infections, scabies and certain psychocutaneous disorders was probably related to compromised hygiene and sanitation and psychological trauma as consequence of devastating earthquake of October 8th, 2005