Analysis of Dermatologic Consultations in Intensive Care Unit Patients

Lee, Kyung Tae; Lee, Dong Youn

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Due to the characteristics of the intensive care unit (ICU), with its focus on patient's vital functions, dermatological symptoms are frequently overlooked during admission. But, there are occasions when a dermatological opinion in the ICU can be of value.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to analyze the frequency and characteristics of dermatologic consultations in patients admitted to ICUs and also to compare the results to other reports regarding inpatient dermatologic consultation.
METHODS
We analyzed the data of 437 ICU patients who were consulted at a Department of Dermatology between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2010. The total number of male and female patients were 241 (55.1%) and 196 (44.9%) (M : F = 1.23 : 1). We retrospectively reviewed medical records and demographics, reason of dermatologic consultation and the diagnosis of the dermatoses.
RESULTS
The percent of patients who were referred to the Department of Dermatology for consultation was 1.9%. The most frequent age group was the 7th decade of life and the highest incidence of seasonal distribution was summer. Patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine were the most frequently consulted group. The most common underlying disease was pulmonary disorders. The most common skin disorders were infectious diseases (28.8%), followed by eczema (15.8%) and drug eruption (11.4%). The main reasons for dermatologic consultations were dermatologic diseases or conditions (53.7%), skin lesions related to the treatment of underlying diseases (26.3%), skin lesions of systemic diseases (10.0%) and the dermatologic tests (6.1%).
CONCLUSION
The characteristics of dermatologic consultation in the ICU may be quite different from those of inpatient dermatologic consultation. Collaboration between the intensive care physician and dermatologist can improve the quality of patient care in the ICU.