02839nas a2200433   4500000000100000008004100001653001500042653001000057653001100067653001000078653002100088653001900109653001600128653001100144653001000155653002400165653001100189653001100200653000900211653001600220653002600236653001800262653001600280100001600296700001200312700001300324700001300337700001500350700001500365700001600380700001300396700001200409245011900421856007700540300000800617490000700625520175900632022001402391       2017                            d10aAdolescent10aAdult10aBiopsy10aChild10aChild, Preschool10aDermatologists10aDermatology10aFemale10aGhana10aHospitals, Teaching10aHumans10aInfant10aMale10aMiddle Aged10aRetrospective Studies10aSkin Diseases10aYoung Adult1 aRosenbaum B1 aKlein R1 aHagan PG1 aSeadey M1 aQuarcoo NL1 aHoffmann R1 aRobinson MR1 aLartey M1 aLeger M00aDermatology in Ghana: a retrospective review of skin disease at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Dermatology Clinic.  uhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5429409/pdf/PAMJ-26-125.pdf  a1250 v263 a<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Ghana is currently developing its provision of dermatology services. Epidemiologic studies of the skin diseases seen by Ghanaian dermatologists are needed to guide these efforts. We aimed to describe the skin conditions seen by and management practices of Ghanaian dermatologists in a specialized clinic.</p>

<p><strong>METHODS: </strong>We conducted a chart review of new patients presenting to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital dermatology clinic during 2014.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Among the 529 patients studied, 700 discrete diagnoses were made. The most commonly diagnosed skin conditions were infections (24.6%) and dermatitis (24.6%); atopic dermatitis (8.4%), acne vulgaris (5.3%) and scabies (5.1%) were the most common specific diagnoses. Among infants, children, and adolescents, the most common diagnosis was atopic dermatitis (31.7%, 30.0%, and 14.9%, respectively). Acne vulgaris (12.0%) was the most common skin condition diagnosed in young adults. Irritant contact dermatitis (6.9%) was most common among adults. Lichen planus (9.9%) was the most commonly diagnosed skin condition in the senior population. Diagnoses made by dermatologists differed from the referral diagnosis documented by primary care providers for 65.8% of patients. The most frequently recommended treatments were antihistamines (47.8%) and topical steroids (38.4%). Only 18 diagnostic biopsies were performed.</p>

<p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>Our study summarizes the skin diseases seen and management practices of Ghanaian dermatologists in a specialized clinic at a large public teaching hospital. The results of this study can help to guide future dermatology education and development efforts in Ghana.</p>
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