Dermatological disorders in Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012

Mol Med Rep. 2015 Sep;12(3):3629-3631. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3806. Epub 2015 May 21.

Abstract

There is a distinct lack of knowledge on the prevalence of skin disorders in Tuvalu. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of cutaneous diseases and to evaluate access dermatological care in Tuvalu. Cutaneous disorders in the people of Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012 were examined. The most common skin conditions were eczema/dermatitis, superficial fungal infections, impetigo, carbuncles, furuncles, folliculitis, acne, scabies, warts and keloids. Infrequent skin conditions included infectious granulomatous disease, albinism, actinic keratosis, skin cancer, cutaneous lupus erythematosus and mammary Paget's disease, which required medical attention. This is the first epidemiological report on skin disorders in the southwest Pacific Island, Tuvalu.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis / epidemiology
  • Dermatitis / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Micronesia / epidemiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / diagnosis
  • Mycoses / epidemiology
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Prevalence
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Skin Diseases / microbiology
  • Young Adult