ASSESSMENT OF PATTERN OF SKIN DISEASES AMONG PATIENTS ATTENDING OUT-PATIENT DERMATOLOGY CLINIC

Background: The prevalence of skin diseases varies significantly and is influenced by factors such as geographical, socioeconomic status, climatic conditions, personal lifestyle choices, and intrinsic factors like gender, age, and genetic predisposition. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of skin diseases both infective and non-infective diseases and to study their impact on quality life of patients attending out-patient dermatology clinic in Tirupati. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in a private outpatient dermatology clinic in Tirupati over a period of 3 months. Patient demographic details were obtained using questionnaires by directly interviewing patients. Results: A total of 311 skin disease patients were included in the study population. In this study, majority of patients 248 (79.74%) were diagnosed with non-infective skin conditions, while 63 patients (20.26%) presented with infective skin diseases. Among the infective cases, fungal infections were the most common, accounting for 44 patients (69.84%), followed by impetigo and warts, each with 6 cases (9.52%), and scabies with 5 cases (7.94%). On the other hand, within the group of non-infective skin conditions, acne was the most prevalent, affecting 46 patients (18.55%). This was followed by dermatitis in 34 cases (13.71%), psoriasis and urticaria with 24 cases each (9.68%), and various other skin conditions reported in 30 patients (12.1%). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, non-infective skin diseases were found to be more prevalent than infective ones among patients in and around the Tirupati region. Among the 311 patients examined, 45.02% experienced a substantial degree of impairment in quality of life because of their dermatological condition.