Dermatological diseases in palliative care patients: a prospective study of 271 patients
Journal
JDDG: Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft
Date Issued
2017-06-07
Author(s)
Neloska, Lenche
Kuzmanova, Andjelka
Pavleska, Lidija
Petreska Zovic, Biljana
DOI
10.1111/ddg.13236
Abstract
Background: Numerous risk factors place palliative care patients at an increased risk
of skin infections, dermatitis, and pressure sores. Furthermore, worsening of chronic
skin disorders can be expected, as well as the development of treatment-induced and
malignancy-related dermatoses. The objective of the present study was to investigate
the prevalence and treatment of dermatological conditions in patients receiving hospital-
based palliative care.
Methods: Two hundred seventy-one palliative patients were enrolled. All assessments
were conducted by dermatologists. Skin lesions were classified into seven categories:
infections, skin tumors, dermatitis, chronic wounds, nail and hair disorders, pruritus,
and other unclassified conditions. Treatment modalities were classified as topical only
or systemic.
Results: Overall, 1,267 dermatological conditions were recorded, 49 % of which were
hospital-acquired. All patients had at least one dermatological condition, and more
than 50 different dermatological disorders were noted. The most common group of
skin disorders was dermatitis (18.3 % of all dermatological conditions), followed by
nail and hair disorders (17.5 %). Almost 16 % of dermatological conditions were treated
systemically.
Conclusions: Dermatological conditions are a common and clinically significant problem
for palliative patients. The inclusion of dermatologists in multidisciplinary palliative
teams should prove helpful in the management of these patients.
of skin infections, dermatitis, and pressure sores. Furthermore, worsening of chronic
skin disorders can be expected, as well as the development of treatment-induced and
malignancy-related dermatoses. The objective of the present study was to investigate
the prevalence and treatment of dermatological conditions in patients receiving hospital-
based palliative care.
Methods: Two hundred seventy-one palliative patients were enrolled. All assessments
were conducted by dermatologists. Skin lesions were classified into seven categories:
infections, skin tumors, dermatitis, chronic wounds, nail and hair disorders, pruritus,
and other unclassified conditions. Treatment modalities were classified as topical only
or systemic.
Results: Overall, 1,267 dermatological conditions were recorded, 49 % of which were
hospital-acquired. All patients had at least one dermatological condition, and more
than 50 different dermatological disorders were noted. The most common group of
skin disorders was dermatitis (18.3 % of all dermatological conditions), followed by
nail and hair disorders (17.5 %). Almost 16 % of dermatological conditions were treated
systemically.
Conclusions: Dermatological conditions are a common and clinically significant problem
for palliative patients. The inclusion of dermatologists in multidisciplinary palliative
teams should prove helpful in the management of these patients.
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