Scabies –still current medical and social problem. A retrospective analysis of 193 cases

Abstract

INTRODUCTION.Scabies is a parasitic skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. About 200 million cases worldwide each year in people of all ages are reported. AIM OF STUDY. Retrospective analysis of records of patients hospitalized at the Department with scabies. MATERIALS AND METHODS.Six-year retrospective analysis of medical records of patients hospitalized with scabies at the Department of Dermatology. Gender, age of patients, comorbidities, clinical course of the disease and treatment were considered. Results In this period 193 patients were hospitalized with scabies, 96 females (49.7%) and 97 males (50.3%), including 33 children (17%). Mean age of patients was 52.9. Skin lesions persisted 142 days in average; reoccurrence was noted in 14% of cases. Lesions were observed most often in winter (31%). The most common manifestations were erosions (80.8%), excoriations (73.6%), papules (72.6%) and crusts (24.3%), localized mainly on trunk (92%), lower (91%) and upper (86%) limbs. 181 patients (93.8%) reported pruritus which intensified at night in 35.8%. Previous contact with people with scabies reported 41 patients (21%). The most common comorbidity was hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease. Accompanying dermatoses were eczema, secondary superinfection and psoriasis. 85 patients (44%) were overweight or obese. Patients received mostly topical permethrin (57%), crotamiton (29%), glicocorticosteroids (73%) and antibiotics (11%), also oral antihistamines (91%). CONCLUSIONS. Analysis revealed more frequent occurrence in adults with no evident sex prevalence. Greater incidence in winter may be caused by people's tendency to spend more time indoors closer to each other at this time of year. Pruritus, the most common subjective symptom, typically worsens at night.

Study of the Use of Permethrin 5% Cream in Galicia (Spain) between 2018 and 2021

“…The most frequent locations are the flexor surfaces of the elbows, armpits, hands, interdigital grooves, wrist, groin, dorsal surface of the foot, genitals, buttocks, and gluteal and inguinal folds. The head, face, neck, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet are often affected in infants and very young children, but usually not in adults or older children [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ].…”

“…It causes significant socioeconomic impacts and affects all ages, sexes and types of social class and educational levels, although the risk of transmission increases in areas where hygienic conditions are not optimal and in settings with high concentrations of people where skin-to skin contact is common, such as kindergartens, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and other closed institutions (prisons, military and refugee camps, mental institutions, etc.) [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. The diagnosis of a scabies infestation is usually made from the history and examination of the affected person.…”