Pattern of Skin Diseases at a Dermatology Center: A Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Skin disorder prevalence is influenced by various factors including location, climate, diet, socioeconomic status, age, and gender.
• Previous studies have examined skin disease patterns in the Middle East, but data specific to the UAE was lacking.
• This study addresses the gap in understanding dermatological disorder incidence in the UAE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the types and frequency of dermatological disorders.
• To analyze the incidence of skin conditions at a dermatology outpatient clinic in Dubai, UAE.
• To provide data for community health and strategic planning.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from a Dubai dermatology clinic (January 2021 - January 2022).
• Inclusion criteria: new patients visiting the clinic for the first time.
• Data analyzed by clinical diagnosis, age, and gender.

Main Results:

• A total of 5969 new patient encounters were recorded.
• Female patients constituted the majority (59.1%).
• The most frequent conditions were acne (17.6%), unspecified dermatitis (9.9%), and atopic dermatitis (5.5%).

Conclusions:

• Acne was the most prevalent skin condition, followed by dermatitis.
• Skin disease patterns serve as indicators for community health and inform preventative strategies.
• Enhanced primary care involvement can improve early diagnosis and patient outcomes.