Epidemiologic Study on Psoriasis.
10.5021/ad.1992.4.1.9
- Author:
Yoon Kee PARK
;
Moo Yon CHO
;
Seung Kyung HANN
;
Hyung Joo KIM
;
Seung Hun LEE
;
Won HOUH
;
Jae Bok JUN
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Psoriasis;
Epidemiology
- MeSH:
Age of Onset;
Epidemiologic Studies*;
Epidemiology;
Female;
Hospitals, University;
Humans;
Joints;
Korea;
Male;
Methods;
Outpatients;
Parents;
Prospective Studies;
Pruritus;
Psoriasis*;
Scalp;
Skin;
Stress, Psychological
- From:Annals of Dermatology
1992;4(1):9-20
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study was carried out to reveal the epidemiologic characteristics of psoriasis in Korea. Seventeen university hospitals were engaged in this study, and the results were as follows : 1. The number of psoriasis patients during the 10 years from January 1977 to March 1987 was 1.05% of all the outpatients; the male to female-ratio was 1.08:1. 2. In the prospective study, the number of psoriasis patients was 2.3% of all the outpatients in 1987, 2.8% of all the outpatients in 1988 and the male to female ratio was 1.26:1. 3. The most prevalent age of onset was 20-29 years ; 81.1% were living in urban areas; and a family history was obtainable in 19.8% with parents holding the highest rank of 7.8%. 4. The most frequent duration of disease activity was under 5 years in 63.3%; the most common age for the worst condition was 20-29 yrs. The most common area size of skin involvement at the peak of the worst condition was less than 10%. 5. The most common initiating skin lesion began on the scalp in 20.2%, on the nail in 17.2%, pruritus in 63.0% with joint symptoms in 10.8%, and Koebner phenomena in 50.6%. 6. Emotional stress was the most common aggravating factor in 34.4%. The method of treatment that attained the best result was the combination therapy of oral medication and a topical agent. The best treatment modality was said to be the application of ointment with p.o.medication by as many as 28.4% of patients who took the leading rank. Photo-chemotherapy, effective with few complications, was not used much as it was not well-known in Korea until after 1980. Most people had an accurate knowledge of psoriasis.
