Epidemiology of dermatologic disorders diagnosed at a large secondary hospital in Mexico City.

Abstract

 

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of dermatoses diagnosed in a secondary-level hospital in Mexico City, to provide evidence on the prevalence and clinical characteristics of these conditions in the Mexican population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study was conducted, including patients from the dermatology outpatient clinic at Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González during 2022. Both new and follow-up consultations were included; duplicate data were excluded. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29.

RESULTS: A total of 13,956 dermatology consultations were analyzed, yielding 7876 unique diagnoses. The mean age of the population was 46 years, with 65.3% female. Non-infectious dermatoses accounted for 87.7% of diagnoses, with the most common being inflammatory conditions, follicular disorders (such as acne), and pigmentary disorders. Atopic dermatitis was most frequent in children, acne in adults, and basal cell carcinoma in older adults. Among infectious diseases, viral one were the most common.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a broad overview of the most frequent dermatoses seen at a secondary-level hospital in Mexico. Its findings may support the training of general practitioners and guide public health strategies; however, further research is needed to accurately determine the national prevalence of these conditions.

KEYWORDS: Epidemiology; Dermatology; Outpatient clinics; Mexico.