Epidemiology of Skin Diseases in Poland: Analysis of Prevalence and Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Although skin diseases are a significant public health concern, epidemiological data for Poland is still lacking. This study aimed to fill this scientific gap by analyzing the prevalence of skin diseases and associated risk factors in the Polish population.

A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Healthy Skin Test (2023), an online questionnaire distributed via the Medonet health platform, involving 27,000 adult Polish internet users. Participants self-reported physician-diagnosed skin conditions. The prevalence of these conditions was assessed, and statistical analysis, including logistic regression, was used to evaluate associations with demographic and socioeconomic factors (age, gender, education level, and urbanization).

The most prevalent skin conditions were herpes labialis (40.6%), dandruff (37.6%), hair loss (34.8%), and acne (32.7%), with 89.5% of participants reporting at least one condition. Striking gender differences were observed, with psoriasis (odds ratio [OR] = 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.80-2.30) and tinea pedis (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.90-2.30) in men, while women were more prone to rosacea (OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.50-0.70) and hair loss (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.70). Higher education was unexpectedly associated with an increased risk of multiple conditions, including acne (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.40-1.60) and non-melanoma skin cancer (OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.20-1.80), but a decreased risk of psoriasis (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80-1.00). Urban residents of cities with > 500,000 inhabitants showed a significantly higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis/eczema (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.00-1.30) and non-melanoma skin cancer (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.40-2.90) compared with other areas.

This first overview of skin disease epidemiology in Poland reveals significant variations in prevalence based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. These findings have important public health implications, suggesting the need for: (1) gender-specific dermatological education campaigns, (2) age-targeted skin cancer screening programs for those over 65 years, (3) improved access to dermatological care in rural areas, and (4) educational interventions addressing the observed socioeconomic disparities in disease prevalence and detection.