Characterization of Dermatologic Disease and Challenges in Care of Incarcerated Patients

Incarcerated individuals face many health care challenges, including limited sanitation, limitations of formularies, and difficulty obtaining routine medical care. This study characterizes skin conditions in incarcerated individuals in the Harris Health System in Houston, Texas. We performed a retrospective health record review on incarcerated inpatients and outpatients between 2011 and 2022, collecting data on diagnostic workups, diagnoses, and interventions. Skin and soft tissue infections and drug reactions (42.9%) were the most common inpatient conditions, compared with papulosquamous and eczematous diseases (34.8%) and neoplasms (31.5%) in outpatients. Many patients demonstrated challenges in management directly related to their incarceration. Overall, the distribution of skin conditions in the incarcerated population shares similarities with that of the general population. Dermatologists should overcome resource limitations, educate patients and jails, and promote improved jail protocols for this vulnerable population.