The pattern of skin diseases in Asir region, Saudi Arabia: A 12-month prospective study in a referral hospital.

The literature on the pattern of skin diseases in Saudi Arabia is scanty. We have attempted to analyze the pattern of skin diseases seen in the dermatology unit of Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Southern Saudi Arabia, during a 12-month period from March 1992 to March 1993. All new patients who were seen for dematological complaints in the skin clinics, emergency room or in the wards were studied prospectively. A total of 1285 dermatoses were diagnosed in 1223 patients during the 12-month study period. Out of the top 12 groups diseases, eczema/dermatitis (25.68%) came first, followed by viral infections. Among the eczema group, atopic eczema accounted for 53.64% and was most frequently observed in children (110/177 or 62.14%) compared to adults. The main causes of superficial mycoses were dermatophytosis and candidiasis. Psoriasis was the most common papulosquamous disorder. Scabies was seen in expatriate Egyptians and Asiatics only. Primary pyogenic infections of the skin were uncommon. The pattern of skin diseases in Saudi Arabia shows a predominance of eczema. Viral infections and dermatophytosis are the most common infective dermatoses, while pyogenic infections are relatively uncommon.