Tinea versicolour in underrepresented groups: An All of Us database analysis

Tinea versicolour, used interchangeably with pityriasis versicolour (PV), is a superficial fungal infection of the stratum corneum caused by Malassezia furfur, a fungus of the normal flora of the skin. PV occurs when conditions favour proliferation of the organism's mycelial form, such as in environments with high temperatures/humidity, in immunodeficient/immunocompromised states, and during pregnancy. PV presents as numerous well- demarcated macules with a powdery scale. Prior epidemiologic studies have indicated that underrepresented groups defined by race experience a higher burden of PV as compared to White patients. However, the burden of PV in other underrepresented groups has not previously been examined, as underrepresented groups are frequently excluded from studies evaluating the impact of dermatologic disease. The new National Institute of Health All of Us Research Program (AoU) aims to build one of the world's largest and most diverse databases to promote elucidation of health disparities, particularly in communities that have been historically excluded from biomedical research.