Background: Scabies is the second most common cause of disability among skin diseases in the Philippines as of 2019. There is no large nationwide study describing the epidemiologic profile of scabies in the country. Objective. This study aimed to describe the demographic, seasonal, and geographic profile of scabies in the Philippines. Methods: We compared secondary data of two local patient registries (Philippine Dermatological Society, PDS, 2010 to 2021; and Philippine Pediatric Society, PPS, 2009 to 2021) for reported cases of scabies in the Philippines. We reported the frequency and percentage distribution according to age, sex, month, year, and type of diagnosis, and region. Results: The median annual frequency of scabies cases (mostly outpatient) for PDS (from year 2010) was 4087 (range ([QR], 342-6422 [3271.5]), while it was 183 (range [IQR], 64-234 [96.5]) (all inpatient) for PPS (from year 2009). There was a reduction to one-third (PDS) and one-fourth (PPS) of pre-pandemic numbers during the pandemic years (2020- 2021). The peak months for scabies cases were the cooler months: January (median, 12.1% of annual cases; range [IQR], 2.6%-31.4% [3.6%]) to February (median, 10.0% of annual cases; range [IQR], 1.5%-27.8% [2.5%]) based on PDS data, and November (median, 10.0% of annual cases; range [IQR], 0.0%-24.3% [7.0%]) to January (median, 9.0% of annual cases; range [IQR], 0.0%-24.3% [6.6%]) for PPS data. Overall, for PDS, age 1-4 years is the most affected age group (median, PDS, 17.5% of annual cases; range [IQR], 11.9%-25.4% [8.1%]), while it was the less than 1-yearolds (median annual cases, 48.9%; range [IQR], 29.1%-67.3% [13.20%]) among PPS pediatric population aged 0 to 18 years. Males (median, 53.9% of annual cases; range [IQR], 45.0%-67.2% [8.8%]) were more affected than females in PPS. While for PDS during earlier years (prior to 2015), males (median, 51.6% of annual cases from 2010 to 2014; range [IQR], 47.4%-52.9% [0.2%]) were more affected than females. However, males became less affected than females with median, 44.7% of annual cases from 2015 onwards (range [IQR], 43.4%-46.5% [1.2%]). NCR was the region with the highest frequency of cases in PPS (median, 52.6% of annual cases; range [IQR], 22.7%-75.0% [20.4%]). The 2nd most affected regions were Central/Eastern Visayas (34.2%, 2009-2013; range [IQR], 17.9%-54.1% [5.3%]), Bicol region (12%; 2014 to 2018; range [IQR], 17.9%-54.1% [7.4%]), Central Luzon (18%; 2019), Central/Eastern Visayas (29%, 2020), and Northern/Central Mindanao (17%, 2021). Conclusion Scabies was commonly seen in the younger age group, slightly more in females in the PDS, while slightly more among males in the PPS, in the cooler months of the year, and in the urbanized NCR.
Scabies ; Philippines ; Epidemiology ; Database ; Registries

Background and Objective: Scabies is the second most common cause of disability due to skin disease in the Philippines. However, there were no cited studies in Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) computations were most likely based on statistical modelling. The Philippine Department of Health has embarked on a program to estimate the disease burden of priority diseases in the country, which include scabies. The last nationwide prevalence survey was 23 years ago. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence or incidence of scabies in the Philippines. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Herdin, and Philippine Health Research Registry (search date October 2022) for studies on prevalence/incidence (including systematic reviews, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case series, registry or census studies) of patients diagnosed with scabies in the Philippines. We excluded narrative reviews, commentaries, and conference proceedings or abstracts. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full text reports for eligibility, appraised the quality of included studies, and collected data using a pretested data extraction form. We did not pool studies due to clinical heterogeneity but plotted the individual studies in a forest plot with prevalence estimates and confidence intervals. We reported the median and interquartile range for entire group or relevant subgroups (age, setting) of studies. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of evidence. Results: We included nine studies (N=79,065). Most were clinic-based prevalence studies, retrospective chart reviews, conducted in dermatology outpatient clinics, Metro Manila area, and on pediatric populations. Prevalence of scabies was moderate (i.e., between 2 and 10%), ranging from 2.75% (national prevalence survey) to 6.8% (communitybased review), to high (> 10%) among pediatric patients in clinic-based retrospective chart reviews (29 to 36%) and institution-based surveys (39.0% to 45%), and a tertiary government university training hospital dermatology clinic (22.9%). The most affected age group was from 0 to 14 y/o, while males tended to have a higher prevalence than females. The cooler month of January had higher prevalence than the hotter month of June in one study. Conclusion Scabies is common in the Philippines, especially among children and elderly in institutional settings, and during the month of January. There is a need to do a national prevalence survey to identify high-risk areas and to monitor the prevalence of scabies, especially in crowded settings and vulnerable populations. This information can be used for estimating the burden of disease for scabies and guide appropriate health resource allocation.
Scabies ; Philippines ; Epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Incidence

Scabies and pediculosis are ubiquitous, contagious, and debilitating parasitic dermatoses. The tendency of high prevalence of pediculosis and scabies among school and preschool age children has prompted us to conduct a head louse and scabies prevalence survey among preschool nursery children in our district. A school-based, crosssectional study was performed, with 1,134 children chosen for evaluation. All cases were evaluated by physical examination and a detailed, structured questionnaire. The infestation was found in 14 (1.2%) of 1,134 children; 9 (0.8%) with pediculosis capitis and 5 (0.4%) with scabies. We found that infestations were more frequent in children with mothers whose education levels were low. This indicates the necessity of an improvement in the economic and sociocultural status of the community and the promotion of hygiene concepts and practices in order to improve health of preschool age children.
Turkey/epidemiology ; Scabies/*epidemiology ; *Sarcoptes scabiei ; Questionnaires ; Prevalence ; Physical Examination/methods ; *Pediculus ; Male ; Lice Infestations/*epidemiology ; Humans ; Female ; Educational Status ; Demography ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Animals

BACKGROUND: Scabies is an old and common contagious skin disease. The incidence of scabies has decreased through the economic growth of Korea. However, recent outbreaks in medical facilities have created a suspicion that the infection of scabies is an emerging public health problem. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. This prospective study follows the retrospective study already performed by the same authors in 2011. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study of scabies was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 914 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. Microscopic examination revealed scabies mites or eggs, or clinical improvement after treatment. Patients were asked to provide information on scabies, especially regarding the contact source, and the physicians examined them. RESULTS: Of the participants, 432 patients were men and 482 were women. Patients aged younger than 10 years and 60~69 years were the most common groups. Scabies more commonly affected patients during the fall and winter. Of the patients, 68.0% were thought to be infected at their homes, followed by nursing homes or hospitals (25.7%), and 31.6% through contact with other patients or, occasionally, staff members, including caregivers. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that scabies is an emerging threat in institutions, especially medical facilities. In addition, we suggest that public and in-hospital education is essential to minimize the problems associated with scabies.
Caregivers ; Disease Outbreaks ; Economic Development ; Education ; Eggs ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mites ; Nursing Homes ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies* ; Public Health ; Scabies* ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: Organochloride pesticides are prohibited around the world due to their toxicity and environmental persistence. However, lindane, one organochloride pesticide, is still widely used to treat head lice and scabies in Korea. OBJECTIVE: For evaluation of the effect of lindane usage and blood lindane concentration, we conduct an evaluation of blood lindane concentrations among children who were treated for head lice. METHODS: The total study population of 80 was divided into rural and urban areas. Age, sex, parent's farming, sea food consumption and head lice treatment information were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Blood lindane concentrations were analyzed by a solid phase extraction(SPE) method. Quantitative analysis was done by GC/ECD. Non-parametric analysis was done for comparing blood lindane concentrations between the head lice treated group and the non treatment group. After a log transformation, regression analysis was done for controlling confounding variables. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 11. The study population involved 38 (47.5%) male and 42 (52.5%) female children. Twenty (25.6%) children were infested by head lice. The blood concentration of lindane was higher in the head licetreatment group [N.D (N.D-78.9)] than in the non-treated group [N.D (N.D-43.4), P < 0.01]. The results were the same after regression analysis controlling for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Lindane has toxicity to the endocrine system and nervous system and persists in the environment and in the human body. Therefore, careful usage of lindane shampoo is needed to treat head lice.
Child ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Endocrine System ; Female ; Head ; Human Body ; Humans ; Lindane ; Male ; Nervous System ; Pediculus ; Pesticides ; Scabies ; Seafood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Organochloride pesticides are prohibited around the world due to their toxicity and environmental persistence. However, lindane, one organochloride pesticide, is still widely used to treat head lice and scabies in Korea. OBJECTIVE: For evaluation of the effect of lindane usage and blood lindane concentration, we conduct an evaluation of blood lindane concentrations among children who were treated for head lice. METHODS: The total study population of 80 was divided into rural and urban areas. Age, sex, parent's farming, sea food consumption and head lice treatment information were gathered using a structured questionnaire. Blood lindane concentrations were analyzed by a solid phase extraction(SPE) method. Quantitative analysis was done by GC/ECD. Non-parametric analysis was done for comparing blood lindane concentrations between the head lice treated group and the non treatment group. After a log transformation, regression analysis was done for controlling confounding variables. RESULTS: The median age of the study population was 11. The study population involved 38 (47.5%) male and 42 (52.5%) female children. Twenty (25.6%) children were infested by head lice. The blood concentration of lindane was higher in the head licetreatment group [N.D (N.D-78.9)] than in the non-treated group [N.D (N.D-43.4), P < 0.01]. The results were the same after regression analysis controlling for confounding variables. CONCLUSION: Lindane has toxicity to the endocrine system and nervous system and persists in the environment and in the human body. Therefore, careful usage of lindane shampoo is needed to treat head lice.
Child ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Endocrine System ; Female ; Head ; Human Body ; Humans ; Lindane ; Male ; Nervous System ; Pediculus ; Pesticides ; Scabies ; Seafood ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Scabies is a contagious skin infestation primarily observed in poor or overcrowded environments. However, an individual may be affected regardless of hygiene and/or socioeconomic status, and/or age. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics and epidemiology of scabies in patients visiting a single tertiary hospital in Jeonbuk province. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 194 patients with scabies who visited the Dermatology clinic at Wonkwang University Hospital between June 2015 and May 2018. RESULTS: Of the 194 patients investigated, 82 (42.3%) were men and 112 (57.7%) were women. The mean age of men was 46.3 years and that of women was 60.1 years. Scabies was diagnosed in patients most commonly in autumn. The most common symptom of scabies was the occurrence of papules (83.5%) followed by the presence of burrows (23.2%). The most common route of infection was a nursing hospital (26.3%), except unknown (29.4%). Medications used to treat scabies included 5% permethrin cream, 10% crotamiton ointment, and 1% gamma benzene hexachloride lotion. The mean duration of treatment was 33.9 days using 5% permethrin cream, 34.8 days using 10% crotamiton ointment, and 34.6 days using 1% gamma benzene hexachloride lotion. CONCLUSION: This study could help in the prevention and management of scabies, by guiding clinicians in choosing optimal therapeutic agents based on patients' condition.
Dermatology ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Jeollabuk-do* ; Lindane ; Male ; Medical Records ; Nursing ; Permethrin ; Retrospective Studies ; Scabies* ; Skin ; Social Class ; Tertiary Care Centers

BACKGROUND: Pediatric infectious skin diseases are different from their counterparts in adults, since the sources of infection and disease progressions are distinct. To our knowledge, there have been no reports of epidemiologic studies of pediatric infectious skin diseases in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distribution of pediatric infectious skin diseases in the Ansan and Southwestern area of Gyeonggi-do, and to compare the results with previous reports about general pediatric dermatoses. METHODS: The authors retrospectively evaluated 4,366 cases of pediatric infectious skin diseases from July 2003 to June 2013 in the Department of Dermatology at Korea University Ansan Hospital. The monthly, seasonal, and annual incidences, as well as the ages and genders of the patients were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included 2004 (45.0%) girls and 2362 (55.0%) boys. The most frequent age of infection was 4 to 6 years old (range 0~15 years), and the peak incidences occurred in July, August, and January. The most common infectious dermatoses were viral (76.0%), bacterial (11.5%), fungal (8.3%), and parasitic (4.0%). The 10 most common pediatric infectious skin diseases were viral wart (45.8%), molluscum contagiosum (20.9%), impetigo (10.3%), tinea (7.1%), scabies (3.8%), herpes zoster (2.5%), varicella (1.6%), herpes simplex (1.5%), eczema herpeticum (1.1%), and cellulitis (0.9%). CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published reports, the distribution of pediatric infectious skin diseases has changed and was different from general pediatric dermatoses.
Adult ; Cellulitis ; Chickenpox ; Dermatology ; Disease Progression ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do* ; Herpes Simplex ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Impetigo ; Incidence ; Kaposi Varicelliform Eruption ; Korea ; Molluscum Contagiosum ; Retrospective Studies ; Scabies ; Seasons ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Diseases, Infectious* ; Tinea ; Warts

17,966 new outpatients who visited the Department of Dermatology of Wonju Christian Hospital from 1985 to 1989 were analyzed statistically. The study results are summarized as follws : 1. Among the 17,966 outpatients, the total number of male patients were 8358 (46.5%) and female patients were 9608 (53.5%). 2. In age distribution, the most frequent age groups were lst decade (24.0), 2nd decade (16.5), and 3 rd decade (25.5) amounting to 66% of the total outpatients. 3. The 15 most common dermatoses were dermatophytosis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, acne, seborrheic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, other eczema, hypopigmentary disorder, bacterial infection, psoriasis, insect bites, and herpes zoster. 4. Those dermatoses which showed increasing tendency were other eczema, hypopigmentary disorder, herpes zoster, and those of decreasing tendency were scabies, bacterial infection. psoriasis, insect bites. 5. Seasonal distribution. showed those diseases occurring most frequently during the summer season were dermatophytosis, insect bites. urticaria, acne, eczema, contact dermatitis. hypopigmentary disorder, bacterial infection. and herpes zoster. The incidence of atopic deratitis. and psoriasis were incfreased during the winter season. 6. In sexual distribution sebourrheic dermatitis. and scabies were more frequent in the males. whereas with urticaria. acne, contact dermatitis, and other eczema the females were more commonly affected. 7. In age distribution, atopic dermatitis, bacterial infection, and insect bites were the most frequent in the Ist decade. Dermatophytosis. urticaria, acne, seborrheic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, other eczema, hypopigmentary disorder, drug eruption, and psoriasis were most frequent in the 3 rd decade, with scabies in the 2nd decade, and herpes zoster in the 6th decade. 8. The distributions of dermatoses as disease groups, were eczema (23.8%), dermatophytosis (13.9%), urticaria-drug eruption (12.2%), skin appendage disorder (11.2%), and viral infection (8.1%), which constituted 69.2% of the total.
Acne Vulgaris ; Age Distribution ; Bacterial Infections ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Dermatology ; Drug Eruptions ; Eczema ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Gangwon-do* ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insect Bites and Stings ; Male ; Outpatients ; Psoriasis ; Scabies ; Seasons ; Skin ; Skin Diseases* ; Statistics as Topic* ; Tinea ; Urticaria

BACKGROUND: Occurrence of dermatoses are influenced by various environmental factors in the area people live. Jeonbuk province, as well as other parts of Korea, has developed industrially for the past three decades. Until now, no statistical survey on dermatoses in Jeonbuk province has been made. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence and trend of dermatoses by patients' age and time in Jeonbuk province over last 30 years. METHODS: The survey was conducted via the medical records of 55, 335 patients seen in Chonbuk National University Hospital from 1979 to 2002. RESULTS: The study results are summarized as follows: 1. Among the 55, 335 new patients (male 47.2%, female 52.8%), the 15 most common dermatoses were as follows (in order of frequency): dermatophytosis (7.8%), urticaria (7.7%), acne (5.2%), atopic dermatitis (4.9%), alopecia (4.4%), seborrheic dermatitis (4.3%), herpes zoster (4.0%), other eczema (3.9%), vitiligo (3.8%), psoriasis (2.6%), pruritus (2.5%), benign epidermal tumor (2.4%), verruca (2.2%), allergic contact dermatitis (1.7%), and irritant contact dermatitis (1.5%). These comprise 58.9% of the total outpatients. 2. The incidences of atopic dermatitis, alopecia, vitiligo and benign epidermal tumor had increase d (about 5 times), while dermatophytosis and urticaria had decreased (about 0.64 times) during the period. 3. The most frequent dermatoses during the summer season were dermatophytosis and vitiligo. In winter season, they were acne, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, pruritus, benign epidermal tumor and verruca. 4. The occurrence of scabies decreased rapidly from the early 90's and remained at a decreased level. Leprosy and tuberculosis had often occurred during the 80's and then became rare from the 90's. 5. The distribution of patients' age was as follows: The 3rd decade (22.0%), 2nd decade (15.8%), 1st decade (15.5%), 4th decade (14.7%), 5th decade (12.0%), 6th decade (10.3%), 7th decade (2.6%), 8th and above (0.4%). 6. Atopic dermatitis was found to be the most frequent dermatosis in the 1st decade. Vitiligo, benign epidermal tumor, and verruca were the most frequent in the 2nd decade, and urticaria, acne, alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis in the 3rd decade. Herpes zoster and pruritus were the most frequent in the 6th and 7th decade. CONCLUSION: From medical records between 1979 and 2002, we surveyed kinds, prevalence rates and trends of dermatoses in the Jeonbuk Province. During this period we observed changes in the incidence of the dermatoses with years and seasons. We also found that prevalence rates of the dermatoses were influenced by the time, environment and living conditions of the patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey on the occurrence of dermatoses Jeonbuk Province of Korea.
Acne Vulgaris ; Alopecia ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Dermatitis, Seborrheic ; Eczema ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollabuk-do* ; Korea ; Leprosy ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Psoriasis ; Scabies ; Seasons ; Skin Diseases* ; Social Conditions ; Statistics as Topic* ; Tinea ; Tuberculosis ; Urticaria ; Vitiligo ; Warts