Demographic Characteristics of Lichen Simplex Chronicus and Prurigo Nodularis Patients: 5-Year Policlinic Evaluation

Abstract

Background: Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) and prurigo nodularis (PN) are two similar diseases of the psychocutaneous dermatoses group. Several factors play a role in the pathogenesis of these two diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the demographic characteristics of LSC and PN. Materials and Methods: We investigated the cases of LSC and PN in 63,206 patients who applied to the outpatient clinic of the Dermatology Department of Istanbul University Cerrahpasa-Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine between 01.11.2007 and 01.12.2011. The data was recorded in a computer data entry program based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems diagnostic code system and were retrospectively reviewed. Results: In LSC, the distribution of the disease by age was found to be statistically significant with the highest frequency was the 50-59 age group. PN was found to be most frequent in the third decade in our clinic patients. In both diseases, women were more effected than men. We also found that the frequency of both diseases varied seasonally. Conclusion: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the LSC and PN patients that applied to our outpatient clinic; the parameters were the disease frequency, average age, age distribution, sex distribution, month and season of application and the frequency of applying to the outpatient clinic. The frquency of LSC was 1.94% and PN was 0.14%. The average age of LSC parients was 46.37±16 and that of PN patients was 45.22±19. These data are in compliance with previous literature. In terms of gender distribution, both of the diseases affect women more frequently. LSC has a 71% women and 29% male prevenance. PN has a 64% women and 36% male prevelance. The results are in compliance with previous literature. Age based gender distribution was statistically insignificant. LSC is seen more frequently during winter and PN is seen more frequently during autumn. This difference was statistically significant for LSC but insignificant for PN. The yearly average of outpatient clinic application for both diseases was 1.2. The results were based upon the retrospective evaluation of the patients that applied to the outpatient clinic of Istanbul University Cerrahpasa-Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine Dermatology Department. Further multicenter studies with longer follow up intervals and greater sample sizes are needed in order to reach nation-based conclusions.