Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of anthrax in China from 2017 to 2019 and molecular typing of Bacillus anthracis isolated from some provinces (autonomous regions). Methods: Surveillance data of anthrax cases reported from 2017 to 2019 in the Infectious Disease Surveillance information System of China Disease Prevention and Control and the Public Health Emergency Reporting and Management Information System were collected, and descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the epidemic characteristics, including the temporal, geographic and demographic distribution of this disease. A total of 47 strains of Bacillus anthracis isolated from 2017 to 2019 were analyzed by canSNP and MLVA15. Results: A total of 951 cases of anthrax were reported from 2017 to 2019, of which 938 were cutaneous anthrax, representing 98.63% of the total number reported. It was mainly distributed in the west and northeast of China, and the three provinces with the highest number of cases were Gansu (215), Sichuan (202) and Qinghai (191). Cases had been reported throughout the year, more cases occurred in the summer and autumn, and August was the month with the most cases,66.35% (211/318), 72.32% (243/336) and 68.01% (202/297) of cases were reported during June to September. The age distribution was mainly between 20 and 59 years old, accounting for more than 80% of all cases. The number of male cases was significantly higher than that of female cases, the ratio of male to female was about 3∶1. The occupations were mainly herdsmen and farmers, accounting for 49.70% to 58.18% and 31.45% to 36.70%, respectively. Public health events occurred every year, and 29 events had been reported from 2017 to 2019. canSNP analysis showed that 37 of the 47 strains belonged to the A.Br.001/002 subgroup and 10 belonged to the A.Br.Ames subgroup. MLVA15 analysis showed that there were 17 genotypes, of which 10 genotypes contained only one strain. Conclusion: Cutaneous anthrax was the predominant clinical type in China from 2017 to 2019.The seasonal, geographic and demographic distribution characteristics were evident.Molecular typing methods such as canSNP and MLVA15 can be used to trace the source of infectious diseases and provide technical support for anthrax prevention and control.
Adult ; Anthrax/prevention & control* ; Bacillus anthracis/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Typing ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Skin Diseases, Bacterial ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of skin diseases and diabetes mellitus (DM) are prominent around the world. The current scope of knowledge regarding the prevalence of skin diseases and comorbidities with type 2 DM (T2DM) is limited, leading to limited recognition of the correlations between skin diseases and T2DM. METHODS: We collected 383 subjects from the Da Qing Diabetes Study during the period from July 9th to September 1st, 2016. The subjects were categorized into three groups: Normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2DM. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of skin diseases were recorded and investigated. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, 383 individuals with ages ranging from 53 to 89-year-old were recruited. The overall prevalence of skin diseases was 93.5%, and 75.7% of individuals had two or more kinds of skin diseases. Additionally, there were 47 kinds of comorbid skin diseases in patients with T2DM, of which eight kinds of skin diseases had a prevalence >10%. The prevalence of skin diseases in NGT, IGT, and T2DM groups were 93.3%, 91.5%, and 96.6%, respectively; stratified analysis by categories showed a statistically significant difference in "disturbances of pigmentation" and "neurological and psychogenic dermatoses". The duration of T2DM also significantly associated with the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" and "neurological and psychogenic dermatoses". Subsequently, the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" was higher in males than females in NGT (P < 0.01) and T2DM (P < 0.01) groups. In addition, the difference in the prevalence of "disturbances of pigmentation" was also significant in NGT and T2DM groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS There was a high prevalence of skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study. To address the skin diseases in the Da Qing Diabetes Study, increased awareness and intervention measures should be implemented.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Glucose ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology* ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance/epidemiology* ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Diseases/epidemiology*

skin disease (OSD) is a commonly known occupational disease. However, epidemiological data about this condition in Korea are limited. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of OSD using nationally representative data.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used data from the large-scale, cross-sectional, nationwide 4th Korean Working Conditions Survey conducted in 2014. OSD was defined as skin diseases caused or aggravated by working environments as indicated in a self-reported questionnaire. Factors affecting the occurrences of OSD were investigated using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: The prevalence rates of OSD were 1.35% in all workers and 62.2% in workers with skin diseases. The workers with OSD were older, had lower educational levels, and had longer working times per week than those without OSD (p<0.001). Furthermore, OSDs occurred more frequently in self-employed workers (p=0.002), those with small-sized businesses (p=0.008), those with longer working durations (p<0.001), and manual and service workers (p<0.001). Although the workers with OSD had greater exposure to various hazardous factors, logistic multivariate analysis showed that high temperatures and skin contact with chemical products were significantly correlated (odds ratios: 2.096 and 2.326, respectively). High prevalence rates of OSD were observed in membership organizations/repair/other personal services (3.2%), agriculture/forestry/fishing (2.7%), manufacturing (2.0%), and construction (1.6%) industries. Additionally, depression/anxiety problems were significantly more prevalent in workers with OSD than in those without (p<0.001).CONCLUSION: This is the first study to present large-scale epidemiological data on OSD prevalence in Korean workers. Our results highlight modifiable factors contributing to the development of OSDs.]]>
Commerce ; Dermatitis, Occupational ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Occupational Diseases ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Skin Diseases ; Skin

Air Pollution ; China ; Humans ; Meteorological Concepts ; Outpatients ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Skin Diseases/epidemiology*

BACKGROUND: The numbers of patients on dialysis and their life expectancies are increasing. Reduced renal function is associated with an increased risk of cancer, but the cancer incidence and sites in dialysis patients compared with those of the general population require further investigation. We investigated the incidences of various cancers in dialysis patients in Korea and used national health insurance data to identify cancers that should be screened in dialysis clinics. METHODS: We accessed the Korean National Health Insurance Database and excerpted data using the International Classification of Disease codes for dialysis and malignancies. We included all patients who commenced dialysis between 2004 and 2013 and selected the same number of controls via propensity score matching. RESULTS: A total of 48,315 dialysis patients and controls were evaluated; of these, 2,504 (5.2%) dialysis patients and 2,201 (4.6%) controls developed cancer. The overall cancer risk was 1.54-fold higher in dialysis patients than in controls (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.61–1.81). The cancer incidence rate (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 3.27) was especially high in younger dialysis patients (aged 0–29 years). The most common malignancy of end-stage renal disease patients and controls was colorectal cancer. The major primary cancer sites in dialysis patients were liver and stomach, followed by the lung, kidney, and urinary tract. Kidney cancer exhibited the highest IRR (6.75), followed by upper urinary tract (4.00) and skin cancer (3.38). The rates of prostate cancer (0.54) and oropharyngeal cancer (0.72) were lower than those in the general population. CONCLUSION: Dialysis patients exhibited a higher incidence of malignancy than controls. Dialysis patients should be screened in terms of colorectal, liver, lung, kidney and urinary tract malignancies in dialysis clinics.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Dialysis ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; International Classification of Diseases ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Korea ; Life Expectancy ; Liver ; Lung ; National Health Programs ; Oropharyngeal Neoplasms ; Propensity Score ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Renal Dialysis ; Skin Neoplasms ; Stomach ; Urinary Tract

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an immune-mediated potentially malignant disorder of the oral cavity. Dysplastic OLP has an altered cytogenic profile and can progress into oral squamous cell carcinoma. The epidemiology of OLP is well-described in several relatively large series from various geographic locations, whereas such series from southern India is rare. The aim of the present study was to determine the epidemiology of OLP in a cohort of South Indian population. METHODS: All the case data records of 29,606 patients who visited Mar Baselios Dental College and Hospital, Kerala, India from 2014 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. For data review, 122 patients of OLP were selected Estimated were type, number, and location of lesions, clinical manifestation, age of the patient, gender, onset and duration of lesion, stressful life style, habits, skin involvement and associated systemic illness, and presence/absence of dysplasia. RESULTS: When the distribution of OLP among the gender was considered, we found more prevalence in females than males. Fifty-seven percent of patients were associated with stressful lifestyle. Reticular lichen planus was the most common clinical subtype found. Bilateral buccal mucosal was the common site, when the distribution of sites of OLP were compared (P < 0.05). Hypersensitivity reaction was frequently associated with systemic illness with OLP (P < 0.05). Anaplasia was found among 5% of lichen planus lesions. CONCLUSIONS: OLP patients had high incidence of hypersensitivity reactions and 5% of OLP lesions showed anaplasia. Long term follow-up is necessary to monitor the recurrence, prognosis, and malignant transformation of OLP.
Anaplasia ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cohort Studies* ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Geographic Locations ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immune System Diseases ; Incidence ; India ; Lichen Planus ; Lichen Planus, Oral* ; Life Style ; Male ; Mouth ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Hand dermatitis is a common chronic relapsing skin disease resulting from a variety of causes, including endogenous predisposition and environmental exposures to irritants and allergens. Lifestyle factors such as smoking have been implicated in hand dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between tobacco exposure and hand dermatitis using the 2003~2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. METHODS: Data were retrieved and analyzed from 1,301 participants, aged 20~59 years, from the 2003~2004 NHANES questionnaire study who completed health examination and blood tests. Diagnosis of hand dermatitis was based on standardized photographs of the dorsal and palmar views of the hands read by two dermatologists. RESULTS: There were 38 diagnosed cases of active hand dermatitis out of the 1,301 study participants (2.9%). Heavy smokers (>15 g tobacco daily) were 5.11 times more likely to have active hand dermatitis (odds ratio [OR], 5.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39~18.88; p=0.014). Those with serum cotinine >3 ng/ml were also more likely to have active hand dermatitis, compared with those with serum cotinine ≤3 ng/ml (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.26~4.95; p=0.007). After adjusting for confounding factors such as age, atopic diathesis, occupational groups, and physical activity, the association between tobacco exposure and active hand dermatitis remained significant. CONCLUSION: Smoking has a significant association with the presence of active hand dermatitis. It is important to consider smoking cessation as part of management of hand dermatitis.
Adult* ; Allergens ; Cotinine ; Dermatitis* ; Diagnosis ; Disease Susceptibility ; Eczema ; Environmental Exposure ; Epidemiology ; Hand* ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Irritants ; Life Style ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Occupational Groups ; Skin Diseases ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking* ; Tobacco ; United States*

BACKGROUND: Pediatric dermatoses show different clinical presentations and responses to treatment than that in adults. However, data on inpatient pediatric dermatology are limited in the current medical literature. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze patterns of dermatologic consultations in pediatric inpatients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of inpatient pediatric (age <18 yrs) consultation requests received by the dermatology department from January 2012 to December 2014. The age, sex, diagnosis, requesting department, and reason for consultation were recorded. RESULTS: Among 27,323 inpatients, 581 (2.1%) had undergone consultation. Of these, 318 (54.7%) were boys and 263 (45.4%) were girls (M: F=1.2:1). Patients ranged in age from newborn to 17 years, and 22.4% were under 1 year. Most of the consultation requests (57.7%) were made by pediatrics, followed by neurosurgery (7.7%) and general surgery departments (7.7%). The most common diagnostic categories included eczema (26.3%), skin appendigeal diseases (18.7%), infectious disease (17.7%), neoplasms (12.8%), and drug eruptions, erythema, and urticaria (7.1%). The most common reasons for consultation were dermatologic diseases or conditions (82.5%), skin lesions of a systemic disease (9.5%), and diseases related to treatment (6.5%). CONCLUSION: Information obtained from this study can not only improve the quality of patient care but also inform clinicians about the array of pediatric dermatology conditions in the hospital setting.
Adult ; Communicable Diseases ; Dermatology* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Eruptions ; Eczema ; Epidemiology ; Erythema ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inpatients* ; Neurosurgery ; Patient Care ; Pediatrics ; Referral and Consultation* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Urticaria

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dermatology ; Female ; Health Services Needs and Demand ; Humans ; Ichthyosis ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Keratosis, Seborrheic ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Lentigo ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Poverty ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Skin Diseases ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Skin Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Social Class ; Vulnerable Populations

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