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ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency and pattern of chronic skin disease in patients
present to the tertiary care hospital.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted at Liaquat university
Hospital, Hyderabad from December 2007 to May 2008. All patients who were more
than 12 years of age came to skin OPD directly or reffered from Medicine OPD with
different presentation were evaluated and enrolled in the study. The detail history of all
such subjects was taken; complete relevant examination was performed and the relevant
investigations were advised according to the presentation of patients. The data was
collected, saved and analyzed in SPSS version 10.00. By using analytical statistics the
frequency, mean and standard deviation of variables were obtained.
RESULTS: One hundred thirty nine (139) patients were diagnosed as chronic skin
diseases. The identified specific diseases with mean age and SD are atopic dermatitis
42 (30%) 33.83 ± 8.9, psoriasis 26(19%) 27.57 ± 8.6, chronic eczema 23 (17%) 31.78
± 8.44, vitiligo 20 (14%) 18.95 ± 3.1, alopecia areata 17(12%) 34.23 ± 8.89 and lichen
planus 11(8%) 35.45 ± 10.1. The majority of patients were belonged to rural areas.
CONCLUSION: Based on the present findings the clinicians should be encouraged to
carefully assess the skin diseases. The appropriate and early effective measure should
be carried out in diagnose and treatment of the disease.
KEYWORDS: chronic skin diseases, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, chronic eczema, vitiligo,
alopecia areta, lichen planus.
INTRODUCTION:
The skin is the body’s outer covering. It protects us against heat and light, injury, and
infection. It regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. weighing
about 6 pounds, the skin is the body’s largest organ. It is made up of two main layers;
the outer epidermis and the inner dermis.
The Skin diseases are the most common cause of referrals to general practitioners and
dermatologists. This is mainly due to the characteristics of the skin and its role