ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies that document the burden of skin diseases in rural and remote regions of Australia are vital in ensuring proper health-care planning and management. The purpose of this study was to establish the burden of skin disease requiring specialist dermatology input for both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley. METHODS: A retrospective audit of all outpatient encounters with the primary Country Health Service visiting dermatology specialist in the Kimberley region between January 2012 and January 2017. RESULTS: A total of 2281 encounters were recorded with 1459 unique patients seen. The most common disease categories seen in the general population were premalignant and malignant skin disease (40%), eczema and dermatitis (17%) and benign skin neoplasms (12%). Among Aboriginal patients, the most common conditions were eczema and dermatitis (19%), autoimmune connective tissue disease/rheumatological and autoinflammatory syndromes (17%), adnexal diseases (10%), pigmentary disorders (7%) and benign skin neoplasms (7%). CONCLUSION: These findings can be used to enhance, direct and plan dermatological services for both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations in the Kimberley region.
