[Prevalence of psoriasis in the Karlovac region]

A total of 1264 psoriatic patients from the region of Karlovac registered by the Karlovac Dermatological Service up to June 30, 1991 were included in the study. The data were collected owing to the collaboration with the primary health care institutions and neighbouring dermatological centres. The investigation showed that psoriasis was more common in males, and that females develop the disease at an earlier age than males. The incidence of psoriasis was highest in the Karlovac county, over 50%. More than half of our patients belonged to the age group from 30 to 59 years; these values varied with regard to sex and counties of the region. In the region the prevalence of psoriasis was found 0.75% and was higher in males than in females. It was highest in males between the ages of 55 to 59 years in the county of Karlovac (2.2%), and among women aged 30 to 34 years in the county of Duga resa (2.31%). The distribution within the counties was different and it was higher in town communities.