M Zafar Alam

Bio: M Zafar Alam is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Atopic dermatitis & Seborrhoeic dermatitis. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 13 citations.

Pattern of skin diseases in a tertiary care private hospital, Karachi

Abstract: Objective To determine the pattern of skin diseases in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi and to compare the results with local and international literature. Methods The current study was carried out in the Dermatology Department, Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi from 1 st September 2011 to 31 st August 2012 over a period of 1 year. All the freshly registered patients presenting in the outpatient were enrolled irrespective of gender and age, after an informed consent. Clinical diagnosis was made on the basis of detailed history and clinical examination. Laboratory investigations were performed where required e.g. routine investigations and biochemical profile. Skin biopsy and histopathology were performed in doubtful cases. All the findings were recorded, compiled, tabulated and analyzed. Results 1733 patients comprising 936 (54%) females and 797 (46%) males were enrolled. There were 728 (42%) children and 1005 (58%) adults. Infections and infestations were the most common skin conditions constituting 37.4% of all the enrolled patients of which 399 (23%) were children and 250 (14.4%) adults. Eczema was next in frequency comprising 313 (18%) patients including 150 (8.6%) children and 163 (9.4%) adults. Acne was seen in 229 (13%) patients, urticaria in 97 (5.5%) while hair disorders were recorded in 66 (4%) patients. Papulosquamous disorders and pigmentary dermatoses were observed in less than 3% of the patients studied. Scabies presented with the highest frequency (18%) and among pyodermas (10%), furunculosis (4%) and impetigo 59 (3%), being the most frequent. Fungal infections (3%) had a frequency more then viral infections (2%). Atopic dermatitis was the most frequently seen eczema (6%) followed by seborrhoeic dermatitis (5%) and contact dermatitis (4.5%). Conclusion The pattern of skin diseases is same in various cities of Pakistan with minor differences. Scabies and infections remain the most common diseases while eczema also constitutes an important group of dermatoses in our part of the world.

Burden of Skin and Subcutaneous Diseases in Iran and Neighboring Countries : Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Iran and its neighboring countries represent four world regions with unique cultures and geography. Skin diseases span a wide diversity of etiologies including infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, vascular, neurogenic, and oncologic. The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2015 measures the burden from skin diseases in 195 countries.METHODS: Epidemiologic data were collected from literature review, survey data, and hospital inpatient/outpatient claims data. These raw data entered modeling using a Bayesian meta-regression tool, DisMod MR-2.1, which yielded prevalence estimates by age/sex/location/year. Prevalence estimates were combined with disability weights to yield years lived with disability (YLDs). YLDs are combined with years of life lost (YLLs), from mortality estimates, to yield disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). DALYs were obtained for 16 skin conditions and both sexes in Iran and 15 surrounding countries. The sociodemographic index (SDI) for each country was also correlated with skin disease DALY rate using the Pearson coefficient (r) with two-tailed P-value.RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between individual skin diseases and SDI. Acne and dermatitis caused the greatest burden and BCC the lowest burden of skin diseases in Iran and the other 15 countries. SCC and BCC were responsible for the largest discrepancy by sex, with higher burden in males compared to females.CONCLUSION: Skin diseases, particularly dermatitis and acne, cause considerable burden in Iran and surrounding regions. Objective and transparent epidemiologic data such as GBD has the potential to inform and impact many facets of healthcare, research prioritization, public policy, and international partnerships.

The pattern of skin and venereal disorders among patients attending in the OPD of dermatology and venereology department of a tertiary care private hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract: Objective To assess the pattern of skin and venereal diseases in patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Methods It is a descriptive study conducted at dermatology and venereology OPD department in Ibn Sina Medical College Hospital, Dhaka for the period from 1st January, 2015 to 31st December 2015. Six thousand and two hundred and three patients were enrolled during the study period. The study population comprised of newly diagnosed cases as well as relapsing cases presenting in the outpatient irrespective of gender and age. Diagnosis was made on clinical basis. Lab investigations were restricted to the cases where it carried diagnostic importance. The data was collected through pre-designed questionnaire and analyzed through Microsoft SPSS. Results Study was conducted on 6203 patients comprising 3373 (54.4%) males and 2830 (45.6%) females. Male female ratio was 1.2:1. Age group between 15 to 29 years carried maximum incidence (43.8%). All disorders were broadly classified into noninfective (63.5%), infective (20.2%) and miscellaneous dermatoses (16.2%). Eczema 1721 (27.7%) and fungal infections 694 (11.2%) came out to be the two top most common causes for OPD attendances. Conclusion Our study found a higher prevalence of non-infective dermatoses than infective dermatoses. Eczema and fungal infections formed the largest group in their respective categories .

Eczema; frequency of different types in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract: .. Objectives: To determine the frequency of different types of eczema in patients presenting in a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive type of study. Setting: Hamdard University Hospital Karachi. Period: January 2013 till December 2013. Patients and Methods: All new cases of any type of eczema were registered by nonprobability convenient sampling. Total 192 patients of both genders and all ages were enrolled after taking informed consent. Diagnosis was made on detailed history and clinical examination by consultant dermatologist. All specific and relevant investigations were done according to requirement. Patients were divided in two groups, exogenous eczema and endogenous eczema, for convenience. Data was analyzed by the latest version of SPSS. Results: There were 192 patients, out of which 52.08% were males and 47.91% females. Out of the total presented patients 50% had endogenous eczema, 43.37% had exogenous eczema and 25.62% had unspecified eczema. In endogenous group 11.45% had hand dermatitis followed by seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis and asteatotic eczema in descending frequency of presentation. Pityriasis alba, discoid eczema and pompholyx were seen less frequent. In exogenous eczema allergic contact dermatitis was seen in 14.06% patients, while irritant contact dermatitis in 11.45% patients. Infective eczema and photo-allergic eczema were seen in small number of patients. Conclusion: It was found in this study that allergic contact dermatitis was most common type of eczema followed by other types. Whatever the type is, eczema can be treated, symptoms can be relieved and recurrences can be prevented by appropriate therapy. All types of eczema affect patient’s quality of life adversely. However, they can be prevented by educating patients and their relatives to take adequate safety measures like using good quality emollients prophylactically.

The Pattern of Skin and Venereal Diseases among the Patients Attending OPD of Department of Dermatology and Venereology of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh

Abstract: Background: Skin diseases are very much prevalent in the developing countries. It is generally agreed that pattern of skin & venereal diseases differ in different countries and within various regions of a country depending upon social, economic, racial & environmental factor. The morbidity associated with skin and venereal diseases makes them an important public health problem. Very scanty literature is found on the problem which is either disease based, community based or specified population group based. Objective: To assess the pattern of skin and venereal diseases in patients attending OPD of department of Dermatology & Venereology Of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: It is a descriptive study conducted at Dermatology and Venereology OPD in Rangpur Medical College Hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh for the period from 1st January, 2019 to 31st December 2019. Six thousand and two hundred and three patients were enrolled during the study period. The study population comprised of newly diagnosed cases as well as relapsing cases presenting in the outpatient irrespective of gender and age. Diagnosis was made on clinical basis. Lab investigations were restricted to the cases where it carried diagnostic importance. Then they were processed with the help of software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 19.0 and analyzed. Results: Study was conducted on 6203 patients comprising 3373 (54.38%) males and 2830 (45.62%) females, who attended skin and VD OPD of Rangpur medical College hospital, Rangpur, Bangladesh during the period of one year. Males were found to be most commonly affected. Male female ratio is 1.2: 1. Age group between 15 to 29 years carried maximum incidence (43.79%). All disorders were broadly classified into noninfective (63.5%), infective (20.2%) and miscellaneous dermatoses (16.2%). Eczema 1721 (27.7%) and fungal infections 694 (11.2%) came out to be the two top most common cause for OPD attendances. Conclusion: Our study found a higher prevalence of non-infective dermatoses than infective dermatoses. Eczema and fungal infections formed the largest group in their respective categories.