INTRODUCTION

Skin diseases are a major global health concern and are among the most common reasons for outpatient consultations worldwide [1,2]. They contribute substantially to morbidity and years lived with disability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries [3,4]. In tropical settings, factors such as warm climate, overcrowding, and poor hygiene increase the prevalence of dermatologic conditions [3,4].

Epidemiological studies are essential for understanding disease patterns and identifying high-risk populations to guide public health interventions [5]. However, data on dermatologic conditions in the Philippines, especially in community-based primary healthcare settings, remain limited, with only a few regional epidemiological studies available [6,7].

This study aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of dermatologic conditions among patients attending the Consolacion Municipal Health Center in Cebu, Philippines, over a five-year period (2013–2017).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study employed a retrospective cross-sectional design to evaluate the epidemiological profile of dermatologic conditions among patients attending the Consolacion Municipal Health Center in Cebu, Philippines. Medical records from January 2013 to December 2017 were systematically reviewed.

All patients with documented dermatologic diagnoses during the study period were included. Records that were incomplete or lacked a definitive dermatologic diagnosis were excluded.

Data were extracted using a structured data collection format to ensure consistency and accuracy. Variables collected included patient age, sex, year of consultation, and type of dermatologic condition diagnosed. Diagnoses were classified based on clinical documentation and categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10^th Revision (ICD-10), Chapter XII (Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue) [8].

Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to summarize the data, with frequencies and percentages calculated for all variables. Data were entered and verified for accuracy prior to analysis, which was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Cebu Doctors’ University Institutional Ethics Review Committee. Permission to access anonymized patient records was obtained from the Consolacion Municipal Health Center. Patient confidentiality was strictly maintained, and no identifying information was included in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 840 patients with dermatologic conditions were included.

A slight female predominance was observed (Table 1).

Table 1: Distribution of patients by sex.

Most cases occurred in younger age groups, with children aged <5 years accounting for the highest proportion, followed by those aged 5–12 years (Table 2).

Table 2: Distribution of patients by age group.

Impetigo was the most common condition, followed by cicatricial alopecia, cellulitis, cutaneous abscess/furuncle, and contact dermatitis (Table 3).

Table 3: Most common dermatologic conditions.

The number of dermatologic cases varied over the study period, peaking in 2014, declining in 2016, and rising again in 2017 (Fig. 1).

Figure 1: Annual number of dermatologic cases at Consolacion Municipal Health Center (2013 to 2017).

A fluctuating trend was observed in disease prevalence (Fig. 2). Impetigo remained the most common condition throughout. Cicatricial alopecia peaked in 2014, followed by a decline and gradual increase. Other conditions showed lower and variable trends.

Figure 2: Five-year trend of the most common dermatologic conditions at Consolacion Municipal Health Center (2013 – 2017).

DISCUSSION

This study presents the epidemiological profile of dermatologic conditions among patients attending a primary healthcare center over a five-year period. A total of 840 cases were included in the analysis, revealing a clear predominance of pediatric patients, a slight female preponderance, and a disease pattern largely dominated by infectious dermatologic conditions.

The high proportion of cases in children, particularly those under five years, highlights their increased vulnerability to dermatologic conditions, likely due to immature immune responses, close-contact environments such as schools, and hygiene-related factors [9]. Similar patterns have been reported in studies conducted in tropical and resource-limited settings, where infectious skin diseases predominate among pediatric populations [9,10].

In terms of disease distribution, infectious dermatologic conditions accounted for the majority of cases. Impetigo emerged as the most common diagnosis [11,12], followed by cicatricial alopecia [13] and cellulitis [14]. The predominance of impetigo is consistent with its known association with warm, humid climates, overcrowding, and suboptimal hygiene conditions, which facilitate bacterial transmission. Likewise, cellulitis and cutaneous abscesses reflect the burden of bacterial skin infections in the community, often associated with minor trauma and inadequate hygiene practices [14,15].

A slight female predominance was observed, possibly reflecting differences in healthcare-seeking behavior, as females may be more likely to seek medical consultation for dermatologic concerns. Hormonal influences and increased cosmetic awareness may also contribute, although further studies are required to establish definitive associations.

The temporal trend of dermatologic conditions showed fluctuations over the study period. Impetigo remained the most prevalent condition throughout, with a notable rise in 2017. Cicatricial alopecia exhibited a peak in 2014 followed by a decline and gradual increase thereafter, while other conditions such as cellulitis, cutaneous abscess/furuncle [15], and contact dermatitis showed relatively lower and variable trends [16,17]. These fluctuations may reflect variations in healthcare utilization, environmental factors, or reporting practices.

These findings emphasize the need for targeted public health interventions, including hygiene education, early diagnosis, and strengthened primary healthcare services to help reduce the burden of preventable skin conditions.

This study has several limitations. As a retrospective analysis, it relied on existing medical records, which may be subject to incomplete or inconsistent documentation. Additionally, the study was conducted in a single healthcare center, limiting the generalizability of the findings. Furthermore, diagnoses were based on clinical assessment rather than standardized diagnostic criteria or laboratory confirmation, which may introduce variability. Future multicenter studies with prospective designs are recommended to provide more comprehensive insights into the epidemiology of dermatologic conditions. Furthermore, the use of descriptive statistics limits the ability to establish causal relationships.

CONCLUSION

Dermatologic conditions represent a significant burden in primary healthcare, as demonstrated in this five-year retrospective study at the Consolacion Municipal Health Center. The findings show a clear predominance of cases among pediatric populations and a disease pattern largely dominated by infectious dermatologic conditions, with impetigo emerging as the most common diagnosis. These results emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate management, and preventive strategies, particularly in pediatric populations who are more vulnerable to skin infections. Strengthening primary healthcare services, promoting community awareness regarding hygiene practices, and improving timely access to care may help reduce the burden and complications of common skin diseases. Further multicenter and prospective studies are warranted to better characterize epidemiological patterns and guide targeted public health interventions.