Shiv Darshan Singh Rawat1, Ena Jain2, Nancy Bharadwaj3
BACKGROUND
The pattern of skin diseases varies in different countries, and within various regions of the same country, depending on racial, environmental, social and economic factors. This variation, in the pattern of dermatoses, has been reported by various workers from different regions of India. Information on the pattern of skin diseases in Uttarakhand state; however, is very sketchy.
AIM
To study the pattern of dermatoses in patients, at a tertiary referral centre, in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This was a retrospective study where data of all the new patients presenting to outpatient department of dermatology between 01 Oct 2012 to 30 Sept 2015 was analysed. A total of 46044 patients were included in the study. Diagnoses were made on clinical grounds supported by relevant investigations as required.
RESULTS
Non-infective dermatoses (63%) were the commonest dermatoses in our study. This was followed by infective & parasitic dermatoses (37%). Overall, fungal infections (19.91%) were the leading cause of morbidity, followed by eczema (12.05%), acne (10.69%), pigmentary disorders (8.03%), pyoderma (6.98%), parasitic dermatoses (5.23%) and others (37.11%). Maximum dermatological morbidity was seen in 21–30 years age group (27.80%), followed by 11-20 years (18.96%) and 31-40 years (18.50%). More than half (58.46%) belonged to productive age group of 21-50 years.
CONCLUSION
A significant proportion of dermatological morbidity (58.46 %) occurred in the productive age group of 21-50 years. Preventable infective dermatoses still contribute to about 37% of the cases. Health education of the general public and training of primary care physicians and general practitioners, in the management of common dermatoses, may help in reduction of prevalence of preventable dermatoses.
