Abstract
SummaryBackgroundNumerous population-based studies have documented high prevalence of scabies in overcrowded settings, particularly among children and in tropical regions. We provide an estimate of the global burden of scabies using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2015.MethodsWe identified scabies epidemiological data sources from an extensive literature search and hospital insurance data and analysed data sources with a Bayesian meta-regression modelling tool, DisMod-MR 2·1, to yield prevalence estimates. We combined prevalence estimates with a disability weight, measuring disfigurement, itch, and pain caused by scabies, to produce years lived with disability (YLDs). With an assumed zero mortality from scabies, YLDs were equivalent to disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). We estimated DALYs for 195 countries divided into 21 world regions, in both sexes and 20 age groups, between 1990 and 2015.FindingsScabies was responsible for 0·21% of DALYs from all conditions studied by GBD 2015 worldwide. The world regions of east Asia (age-standardised DALYs 136·32), southeast Asia (134·57), Oceania (120·34), tropical Latin America (99·94), and south Asia (69·41) had the greatest burden of DALYs from scabies. Mean percent change of DALY rate from 1990 to 2015 was less than 8% in all world regions, except North America, which had a 23·9% increase. The five individual countries with greatest scabies burden were Indonesia (age-standardised DALYs 153·86), China (138·25), Timor-Leste (136·67), Vanuatu (131·59), and Fiji (130·91). The largest standard deviations of age-standardised DALYs between the 20 age groups were observed in southeast Asia (60·1), Oceania (58·3), and east Asia (56·5), with the greatest DALY burdens in children, adolescents, and the elderly.InterpretationThe burden of scabies is greater in tropical regions, especially in children, adolescents, and elderly people. As a worldwide epidemiological assessment, GBD 2015 provides broad and frequently updated measures of scabies burden in terms of skin effects. These global data might help guide research protocols and prioritisation efforts and focus scabies treatment and control measures.FundingBill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Highlights
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that causes a pruritic skin eruption.[1]
We provide estimates for the global burden of scabies skin disease using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study
Scabies caused 0·21% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) from all conditions studied by GBD 2015 globally
Summary
Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei that causes a pruritic skin eruption.[1] Given that scabies transmission occurs with person-toperson contact, scabies is prevalent in resource-poor conditions and among children, and is associated with insufficient access to health-care subsidies. Scabies can occur in any setting but over the past century has become less prevalent in temperate regions and is more common in tropical, humid regions. Scabies has high prevalence in the tropics and large cumulative morbidity. Recognition of scabies on the global health agenda would increase awareness, education, and research into diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.[3] In recognition, WHO recently formally designated scabies as a neglected tropical disease.[4] Previous investigations have reported on scabies prevalence in specific, often low-resource, communities.[5,6,7,8] A systematic review of 48 population-based studies found the highest prevalence of scabies in Papua New Guinea, Panama, and Fiji.[9] beyond prevalence, the extent to which scabies affects these communities is unknown. We provide estimates for the global burden of scabies skin disease using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
