The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020
Background. In recent years, dermatology has been offered as an outpatient service, with decreasing inpatient dermatology admissions. However, dermatology consultation services have remained active, offering care to patients admitted for non-cutaneous indications by other specialties. Objective...
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South African Medical Association
2023-12-01
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| Series: | South African Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/1098 |
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| author | L Mthembu J T Masuka K Duze A Mosam |
| author_facet | L Mthembu J T Masuka K Duze A Mosam |
| author_sort | L Mthembu |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background. In recent years, dermatology has been offered as an outpatient service, with decreasing inpatient dermatology admissions. However, dermatology consultation services have remained active, offering care to patients admitted for non-cutaneous indications by other specialties.
Objectives. To describe the clinical spectrum and characteristics of inpatient dermatology diseases managed at a quaternary South African (SA) hospital.
Methods. We retrospectively reviewed and analysed electronic records of all dermatology inpatients managed by dermatologists from 2015 to 2020 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, South Africa. Demographic and clinical data on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 dermatology diagnosis and admitting specialty were collected and analysed.
Results. A total of 4 867 patients were managed by the IALCH dermatology service during the study period. Females accounted for 2 527 (51.9%), while black African, coloured, Indian/Asian, white and unclassified patients constituted 3 146 (64.6%), 106 (2.2%), 1 129 (23.2%), 431 (8.9%) and 55 (1.1%), respectively. The median (interquartile range) age of the study population was 42.0 (28.0 - 58.0) years. Of 867 patients, 183 (3.8%) were dermatology inpatient admissions, whereas the remainder, 4 684 (96.2%), were seen as consults from other specialties. Most (1 010 (20.7%)) of the dermatology consults were received from plastic and reconstructive surgeons, while bacterial infections, decubitus ulcers and lower limb ulcers were the three most common referred diagnoses overall.
Conclusion. A broad range of diagnoses is managed through the dermatology inpatient service, particularly as consultations. These services remain essential in the holistic management of patients.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2873b1b7bafa48ab81ce2cbf2dc8ce86 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0256-9574 2078-5135 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | South African Medical Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-2873b1b7bafa48ab81ce2cbf2dc8ce862025-02-10T12:26:33ZengSouth African Medical AssociationSouth African Medical Journal0256-95742078-51352023-12-01114110.7196/SAMJ.2024.v114i1.1098The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020L Mthembu0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6355-4947J T Masuka1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0702-7591K Duze2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8253-0862A Mosam3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2942-6542Department of Dermatology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu‐Natal, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Dermatology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu‐Natal, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Dermatology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu‐Natal, Durban, South AfricaDepartment of Dermatology, School of Clinical Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu‐Natal, Durban, South Africa Background. In recent years, dermatology has been offered as an outpatient service, with decreasing inpatient dermatology admissions. However, dermatology consultation services have remained active, offering care to patients admitted for non-cutaneous indications by other specialties. Objectives. To describe the clinical spectrum and characteristics of inpatient dermatology diseases managed at a quaternary South African (SA) hospital. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed and analysed electronic records of all dermatology inpatients managed by dermatologists from 2015 to 2020 at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) in Durban, South Africa. Demographic and clinical data on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 dermatology diagnosis and admitting specialty were collected and analysed. Results. A total of 4 867 patients were managed by the IALCH dermatology service during the study period. Females accounted for 2 527 (51.9%), while black African, coloured, Indian/Asian, white and unclassified patients constituted 3 146 (64.6%), 106 (2.2%), 1 129 (23.2%), 431 (8.9%) and 55 (1.1%), respectively. The median (interquartile range) age of the study population was 42.0 (28.0 - 58.0) years. Of 867 patients, 183 (3.8%) were dermatology inpatient admissions, whereas the remainder, 4 684 (96.2%), were seen as consults from other specialties. Most (1 010 (20.7%)) of the dermatology consults were received from plastic and reconstructive surgeons, while bacterial infections, decubitus ulcers and lower limb ulcers were the three most common referred diagnoses overall. Conclusion. A broad range of diagnoses is managed through the dermatology inpatient service, particularly as consultations. These services remain essential in the holistic management of patients. https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/1098hospitalepidemiologyinpatient dermatology |
| spellingShingle | L Mthembu J T Masuka K Duze A Mosam The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020 South African Medical Journal hospital epidemiology inpatient dermatology |
| title | The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020 |
| title_full | The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020 |
| title_fullStr | The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020 |
| title_full_unstemmed | The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020 |
| title_short | The characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, South Africa, over a 5-year period – 2015 - 2020 |
| title_sort | characteristics of dermatology inpatients seen at the quaternary inkosi albert luthuli central hospital in durban south africa over a 5 year period 2015 2020 |
| topic | hospital epidemiology inpatient dermatology |
| url | https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/1098 |
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