Clinical profile of skin diseases in accident and emergency department attenders

Abstract

Skin problems are common among accident & emergency department attenders. This retrospective study try to evaluate the pattern of skin diseases, immediate treatment and the disposition of patients with dermatological problems attending an accident and emergency department in Hong Kong. The medical records of patients presenting with skin disorders attending the accident and emergency department of the Prince of Wales Hospital from September 2004 to March 2005 were retrieved for analysis. Out of 1,733 patients, 854 (49.3%) were males and 879 (50.7%) were females. The five most common skin disorders diagnosed by the accident and emergency doctor were cellulitis (248, 14.3%), followed by urticaria (210, 12.1%), herpes zoster (203, 11.7%), eczema (140, 8.1%) and insect bite (117, 6.8%). The overall admission rate was 14.7%. Eighty-four cases (4.8%) were referred to the dermatology clinic. It is important for accident and emergency doctors to have sufficient knowledge to recognise and manage these common skin diseases.