Pattern of Skin Disorders Among Female Secondary School in Fallujah City

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence is the transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. The pattern of skin disease in general varies in frequency and severity in different age groups and it differ with geographical locations due to environmental, race factors, sex and age. Objective: To determine the pattern and severity of skin disease among adolescent female students in Fallujah city in order to understand the effect and the impact of skin diseases at this stage of life. Patients and Methods: This is a cross sectional study of 400 adolescent female students with skin diseases in Fallujah secondary schools. The study was performed during the period from November 2009 - May 2010. The students were examined for the type of skin disorder and its severity. Results: The majority of the patients had one skin disorder 62%; the remainder had 2 or more disorders. The most common skin diseases and conditions were the disease of skin appendages (with the acne being the most common one) followed by dermatitis and related conditions and then skin infections. Acne was noticed in (30%) of students, affecting the face (95.5%) and trunk (4.5%). The next common disorder was hirsutism (25%), atopic dermatitis, (15%), diffuse hair loss (10%), dandruff (7.5%), warts (7. 5%) and (scabies 7%). A large number of acne patients had also hirsutism and to lesser extent dandruff and Androgenetic alopecia and these patients were found to have high free testosterone level and ultrasound appearance of polycystic ovary (PCO) which pointed to the diagnosis of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Conclusion: Skin diseases are common among adolescent female students in Fallujah city. The most common skin disorders at this age were acne and hirsutism which is of cosmetic importance, so early and proper management of these disorders is important to prevent the late disfiguring sequel and psychological problems.