Pattern of Skin Diseases Among Patients Visiting a Private Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi

Objective: To determine the pattern of skin diseases among individuals attended dermatology camp in a private tertiary care hospital in the winter season in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Memon Medical Institute Hospital in Karachi, where data were retrieved from a full day, free dermatology camp that was set up in the last week of December 2019. Skin diseases were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). All the 283 patients included in the study were given a clinical diagnosis, based on their history, and examination. Relevant socio-demographic data and details of the diagnosis were recorded and analyzed in a predesigned performa and a detailed statistical analysis was done. Results: Of the 100 infectious conditions, fungal and parasitic were the most common diseases, i.e., 51 (51%) and 38 (38%) respectively, while viral infections were found in 7 (7%) and bacterial in 4 (4%) of the infectious dermatosis. Of 171 non-infectious conditions, eczema was the most common disorder (n=55, 32.2%), followed by acne in (n=38, 22.2%) cases, pigmentary disorders in (n=29, 17%) cases, hair loss in 18 (10.5%), and papulosquamous disorders in (n=13, 7.6%), whereas miscellaneous non-infectious diseases were found in 18 (10.5%) cases. Conclusion: Our study concludes the higher prevalence of non-infectious disorders than infectious skin diseases in the winter season, with eczemas and fungal infections being predominately seen overall. Regular free dermatology camps will help in better assessment of disease pattern and awareness of skin conditions among the public.