ECZEMA

FREQUENCY OF DIFFERENT TYPES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of different types of eczema in
patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive type
of study. Setting: Hamdard University Hospital Karachi. Period: January 2013 till December
2013. Patients and Methods: All new cases of any type of eczema were registered by nonprobability
convenient sampling. Total 192 patients of both genders and all ages were enrolled
after taking informed consent. Diagnosis was made on detailed history and clinical examination
by consultant dermatologist. All specific and relevant investigations were done according
to requirement. Patients were divided in two groups, exogenous eczema and endogenous
eczema, for convenience. Data was analyzed by the latest version of SPSS. Results: There
were 192 patients, out of which 52.08% were males and 47.91% females. Out of the total
presented patients 50% had endogenous eczema, 43.37% had exogenous eczema and
25.62% had unspecified eczema. In endogenous group 11.45% had hand dermatitis followed
by seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and asteatotic eczema in descending frequency
of presentation. Pityriasis alba, discoid eczema and pompholyx were seen less frequent. In
exogenous eczema allergic contact dermatitis was seen in 14.06% patients, while irritant contact
dermatitis in 11.45% patients. Infective eczema and photo-allergic eczema were seen in small
number of patients. Conclusion: It was found in this study that allergic contact dermatitis was
most common type of eczema followed by other types. Whatever the type is, eczema can be
treated, symptoms can be relieved and recurrences can be prevented by appropriate therapy.
All types of eczema affect patient’s quality of life adversely. However, they can be prevented by
educating patients and their relatives to take adequate safety measures like using good quality
emollients prophylactically.