An Epidemiologic and Histopathologic Study of Skin Diseases in Foreign Patients Visiting through International Health Services

Kim, Soo Hong; Kim, Won Serk; Lee, Eil Soo

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recently, foreigners among outpatients in dermatologic clinics are increasing as foreigners staying in Korea are increasing. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic and histopathologic characteristics of skin diseases in foreign patients. METHODS: Total 277 foreign patients had undergone skin biopsies among patients visiting through international health services, Samsung medical center during 7-year period between January, 1996 and December, 2002. Their clinical data and histopathologic findings were reviewed. RESULTS: The number of skin biopsies taken from foreign patients was 429(4.6%) among total 8779 skin biopsies during 7 years. It showed a tendency to increase with time. The mean age of patients was 42.3 years and the ratio of men to women was about 2: 1. Distribution of nationality showed most of the patients came from North America(47.7%) and Europe (22.0%). Patients from USA were most common(41.5%). The distributions of dermatoses were common melanocytic nevi(24.2%), seborrheic keratoses (11.4%), actinic keratoses(8.4%), dysplastic nevi(6.8%), and epidermal or pilar cysts(5.1%). Total 266 cases(62%) were the dermatoses which could be clinically manifested as pigmented lesions. The numbers of cutaneous premalignant lesions and malignant tumors were 20(4.7%) and 68(15.9%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed epidemiologic and histopathologic characteristics of the skin diseases of foreign patients staying in Korea. In comparison with Korean patients, it seems that foreign patients concern themselves much more about skin cancers and want their pigmented skin lesions to be examined. Dermatologists should consider performing skin biopsies in foreign patients who presented pigmented skin lesions.