Increasing incidence of skin disorders in children? A comparison between 1987 and 2001

Robbert Sa Mohammedamin,Michiel W Van Der Linden,Johannes C Van Der Wouden,François G Schellevis,Lisette Wa Van Suijlekom-Smit,Sander Koning,Bart W Koes

doi:10.1186/1471-5945-6-4

Robbert Sa Mohammedamin, Michiel W Van Der Linden + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-5945-6-4

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Abstract

BackgroundThe increasing proportion of skin diseases encountered in general practice represents a substantial part of morbidity in children. Only limited information is available about the frequency of specific skin diseases. We aimed to compare incidence rates of skin diseases in children in general practice between 1987 and 2001.MethodsWe used data on all children aged 0–17 years derived from two consecutive surveys performed in Dutch general practice in 1987 and 2001. Both surveys concerned a longitudinal registration of GP consultations over 12 months. Each disease episode was coded according to the International Classification of Primary Care. Incidence rates of separate skin diseases were calculated by dividing all new episodes for each distinct ICPC code by the average study population at risk. Data were stratified for socio-demographic characteristics.ResultsThe incidence rate of all skin diseases combined in general practice decreased between 1987 and 2001. Among infants the incidence rate increased. Girls presented more skin diseases to the GP. In the southern part of the Netherlands children consulted their GP more often for skin diseases compared to the northern part. Children of non-Western immigrants presented relatively more skin diseases to the GP. In general practice incidence rates of specific skin diseases such as impetigo, dermatophytosis and atopic dermatitis increased in 2001, whereas warts, contact dermatitis and skin injuries decreased.ConclusionThe overall incidence rate of all skin diseases combined in general practice decreased whereas the incidence rates of bacterial, mycotic and atopic skin diseases increased.

Highlights

The increasing proportion of skin diseases encountered in general practice represents a substantial part of morbidity in children
Compared to 1987, in 2001 the childhood morbidity encountered in Dutch general practice has changed; proportionally more skin diseases were presented to the general practitioner (GP) whereas other most frequent diseases were presented less often
Study populations in 1987 and 2001 The study population in 1987 consisted of 86,577 children yielding 21,644 person years. These children presented a total of 9,271 contacts with skin problems which contributed to 6,870 episodes; 75.4% of these episodes resulted in a single contact with the GP

Summary

Introduction

The increasing proportion of skin diseases encountered in general practice represents a substantial part of morbidity in children. We aimed to compare incidence rates of skin diseases in children in general practice between 1987 and 2001. Skin disease accounts for a substantial part of morbidity in children and adolescents [1,2,3,4]. Did the incidence rate of skin diseases in general practice increase?. Little information is currently available about the epidemiology of skin diseases encountered in general practice. Against the background of the changing consultation behaviour in general practice [5] and the increasing population-based prevalence of some skin diseases (e.g. atopic eczema) [8,9] it is important to estimate current incidence rates of the different skin diseases affecting children and adolescents in general practice. Primary care epidemiology can contribute to wider improvements in health and health care services, through better understanding of disease aetiology, use of health care services and the role of different health care interventions [10]

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