01891nas a2200253 4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001500055653001000070653001500080653001100095653000900106653001600115653001800131653001600149100001300165700001100178700001100189245004900200300001000249490000700259520135700266022001401623 2010 d c2010 Dec10aAdolescent10aAdult10aDepression10aHumans10aMale10aMiddle Aged10aSkin Diseases10aYoung Adult1 aBashir K1 aDar NR1 aRao SU00aDepression in adult dermatology outpatients. a811-30 v203 a

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of depression in adult male dermatology outpatients.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur, from January to March 2007.

METHODOLOGY: A consecutive sample was screened for depression by using Urdu version of General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). The final diagnosis of depression was based on criteria of International Classification of Diseases-10.

RESULTS: Out of the 114 adult males with dermatological disorders, 39 (34.11%) had depression. The frequency and percentage of depression in dermatological conditions was 6 (100%) in psychocutaneous disorders, 2 (66.6%) in urticaria, 3 (66.6%) in pruritis, 7 (57.5%) in acne vulgaris, 4 (50%) in psoriasis, 4 (44.4%) in vitiligo, 3 (37.5%) in melasma, 1 (33.3%) each in hyperhidrosis and alopecia areata, and 9 (20.4%) in eczema. It was not recorded in leprosy and chronic fungal infections.

CONCLUSION: Depression was frequently in adult males with dermatological disorders especially psychocutaneous disorders, urticaria, pruritis, acne vulgaris and psoriasis. Depressive symptoms should be specifically explored even at busy dermatology outdoors for early recognition and timely appropriate psychiatric referral.

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