EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTIOUS SKIN DISORDERS AMONG OUTPATIENTS IN THE GARHWAL REGION, UTTARAKHAND

Saurabh Saklani*, Shrestha Joshi, Aman Choudhary, Sanjay Rishishwar and Poonam Rishishwar

ABSTRACT

Objective: The epidemiology of skin morbidity in an area depends on climate, geography, socio-economic status, nutrition, genetics, and habits of the community. The objective of the present study was to describe the morbidity profile of infectious diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue among patients attending the dermatology outpatient department in the Garhwal hills, North India. Methodology: This is a record-based study conducted using the morbidity registers maintained for outpatients at the dermatology department. Results: A total of 600 new episodes of illnesses were treated in the skin outpatient department during 2020–2021. Among them, 169 (28.1%) patients presented with infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The number of male and female patients was nearly equal. Overall, fungal infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue were the most common (40%), followed by scabies (16%). Viral diseases of the skin, bacterial diseases of the skin, and tinea versicolor were also frequently encountered. Conclusion: This information will help in planning customized health services for patient care.

Keywords: Skin, Morbidity, Infectious disease, Subcutaneous tissue, Fungal, Tenia versicolor, Dermatology.