BACKGROUND: Verrucae (warts) are a very common dermatologic disease. They can be of cosmetic concern, cause physical discomfort, and predispose patients to certain malignancies. Management of warts has traditionally been based on anatomic location, clinical appearance, and patient preference. PURPOSE: To investigate trends in the treatment of warts, as well as patient demographics associated with the diagnosis of warts. METHODS: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was queried for data regarding patient visits associated with the diagnosis of warts from 1990 to 2009. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the use of topical imiquimod during the study period, such that it became the most frequently used medication for warts. No statistically significant trends were detected regarding the frequency of treatment with medication only, procedure only, or combination treatment. In terms of patient demographics, there was an upward trend in regards to increasing patient age and the diagnosis of warts. However, there were no significant trends with respect to patient gender or race and the diagnosis of warts. LIMITATIONS: Warts not otherwise specified (NOS) was the reported diagnosis for more than eighty percent of patient visits for warts. Trends in the treatment of plantar warts could not be evaluated as the ICD-9 code designating this diagnosis was recently instituted in 2009. Data from NAMCS are cross-sectional in nature. CONCLUSIONS: The advent of a new therapy and shifts in population patterns have modified the epidemiologic profile and treatment of warts.
BACKGROUND: Verrucae (warts) are a very common dermatologic disease. They can be of cosmetic concern, cause physical discomfort, and predispose patients to certain malignancies. Management of warts has traditionally been based on anatomic location, clinical appearance, and patient preference. PURPOSE: To investigate trends in the treatment of warts, as well as patient demographics associated with the diagnosis of warts. METHODS: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was queried for data regarding patient visits associated with the diagnosis of warts from 1990 to 2009. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the use of topical imiquimod during the study period, such that it became the most frequently used medication for warts. No statistically significant trends were detected regarding the frequency of treatment with medication only, procedure only, or combination treatment. In terms of patient demographics, there was an upward trend in regards to increasing patient age and the diagnosis of warts. However, there were no significant trends with respect to patient gender or race and the diagnosis of warts. LIMITATIONS: Warts not otherwise specified (NOS) was the reported diagnosis for more than eighty percent of patient visits for warts. Trends in the treatment of plantar warts could not be evaluated as the ICD-9 code designating this diagnosis was recently instituted in 2009. Data from NAMCS are cross-sectional in nature. CONCLUSIONS: The advent of a new therapy and shifts in population patterns have modified the epidemiologic profile and treatment of warts.