Dermatological conditions presenting to the emergency dermatological unit of a university hospital in Germany.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, there have been increasing numbers of patients consulting emergency units in all medical disciplines. Our aim was to analyze the demographics, referral mode, symptoms, localization of lesions, prior treatment, diagnoses and hospitalization rate of dermatological patients.

PATIENT AND METHODS: The study was conducted as a prospective single center survey over six months in the dermatology unit of a university hospital in Germany. 1552 consultations were included with consecutive sampling.

RESULTS: The study cohort had a mean age of 41 years and included 53 % females. Nearly half of the patients lived less than 10 kilometers from the study center. 72 % of patients referred themselves. The main symptoms were itching and occurrence of a rash; these symptoms had been present for more than a week on average. A general manifestation was present on the skin in most cases. 55 % of patients were seen by a dermatologist or a general practitioner before the consultation. Prior treatment had been received in 49 % of cases. Eight percent of patients were hospitalized. Eczema was the most common diagnosis, followed by urticaria and scabies.

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that a considerable number of patients present with non-urgent diagnoses. Careful prescreening and sensitization of the population may be necessary to reverse this trend.