A Statistical Analysis of Dermatology Patients Visiting the Emergency Department in the Recent 3 Years (2010~2012).
- Author:
Heun Joo LEE
1
;
Ho Joo JUNG
;
Jae Hui NAM
;
Ji Hye PARK
;
Ga Young LEE
;
Won Serk KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. susini@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Contact dermatitis;
Emergency medicine;
Herpes zoster;
Skin disease;
Urticaria
- MeSH:
Dermatitis, Contact;
Dermatology*;
Drug Eruptions;
Emergencies;
Emergency Medicine;
Emergency Service, Hospital*;
Female;
Herpes Zoster;
Humans;
Korea;
Retrospective Studies;
Skin;
Skin Diseases;
Specialization;
Tertiary Care Centers;
Urticaria
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2015;53(1):10-15
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: An increasing number of patients visit the emergency department (ED) for dermatological complaints. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the skin conditions presenting to the ED. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the characteristics of skin complaints seen in the ED of a tertiary hospital in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 1,663 new dermatological emergency patients who visited the ED of our hospital from January 2010 to December 2012. All skin conditions were diagnosed by a dermatologist and not by an emergency medicine specialist. RESULTS: A total of 1,663 patients with skin problem were seen, corresponding to 1.5% of total ED visits. The mean age was 41.8 years and there was a slight female predominance (61.2%). The peak arrival time was between 9 pm and midnight. In terms of visit length, 68.9% of patients stayed less than 2 hours. Patients most commonly presented with urticaria/angioedema (53.8%) followed by herpes zoster (14.0%), contact dermatitis (7.2%), drug eruption (6.5%), and cellulitis/erysipelas (4.0%). Urticaria/angioedema patients were most commonly aged 21 to 40 years and herpes zoster patients were most commonly aged 51 to 70 years. Admissions occurred in 8.1% of cases, most frequently for herpes zoster. CONCLUSION: This retrospective study provides insight into the types of cases being evaluated by dermatologists in the ED of a tertiary hospital. An awareness of these characteristics may assist physicians working in the ED in evaluating patients who present to the ED with skin disease.
