Overlooked Skin Diseases in Hospitalized Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Mgonda Yassin M, Chale Pauline NF
Primary Institution: Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Hypothesis
What is the burden of co-existing dermatological disorders among patients admitted to Muhimbili National Hospital?
Conclusion
Dermatological disorders are common among patients admitted to medical wards and many are not detected by their referring or admitting physicians.
Supporting Evidence
- 59.5% of patients had co-existing dermatological disorders.
- 82.3% of patients with dermatological disorders were overlooked by referring doctors.
- The most common skin diseases included fungal infections and pruritic papular eruption.
Takeaway
Many people in the hospital have skin problems that doctors often miss. It's important for doctors to learn more about skin diseases.
Methodology
A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study with detailed interviews and physical examinations of patients.
Potential Biases
Health professionals may overlook skin diseases due to inadequate knowledge.
Limitations
Lack of a specialized dermatology laboratory led to failure to make some confirmatory tests.
Participant Demographics
The mean age was 36.7 years, with 56.7% females and a majority being young adults aged 18-44 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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