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Abstract

Background: Skin diseases are one of the common health problems seen in developing countries and differ in different regions depending on social, economic, racial and environment factors. Epidemiological studies of skin diseases are rather rare in Chittagong.
Objectives: To determine the pattern and prevalence of skin diseases in the Chittagong region.
Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study is carried out using registered records of patients attending the dermatology clinic in Chittagong Medical College hospital between the periods 2003 and 2011.
Results: The total number of patients was 41997. There were more males 21,359 (51%) than females 20,638 (49%). The prevalence rate is 7. Infective dermatoses (Bacterial, Viral, Fungal, Parasitic) were the most common (53.88%) followed by Eczema (17.28%), Papulosquamous diseases (11.20%), Acne vulgaris (5.48%), Vitiligo (4.23%), Chronic arsenism (2.55%), Urticaria (2.25%), Genodermatoses (0.87%), Drug reactions (0.67%), Connective tissue diseases (0.43%), Neoplastic skin diseases (0.40%) and Blistering diseases (0.40%). Among all dermatoses scabies ranked the highest 10,987 (26.16%).
Conclusions: The study revealed more than 53% of the diseases are of infectious origin. The high proportion of transmissible disease demands a preventive approach.This study provides a preliminary baseline data for future epidemiological and clinical research and will contribute to proper health care planning and the establishment of essential drug list for dermatological used.