Pattern of skin disorders in Muzaffarabad: a comparison of pre- and post-earthquake scenario

Abstract

Background Psyche or mind is the largest function in the body, while skin is the largestorgan in the body. The anatomical and physiological integrity is maintained when they arecongruent in their functioning. Natural calamities and disasters affect this harmony adverselyby causing psychological as well as physical trauma, which leads to a number of immediateas well as long term skin ailments.Objective The study was aimed to observe any change in pattern of skin diseases inMuzaffarabad after devastating earthquake of October 8th, 2005.Patients and methods The study was carried out in CMH, Muzaffarabad from March, 2006to August 2006. Patient’s record of same six months of last year was retrieved and wascompared with present record. Patients of all ages, with any cutaneous disease, attending theoutpatient departments or admitted to the skin ward of Combined Military HospitalMuzaffarabad, from 1st March 2006 to 31st August 2006, were included in the study. Adetailed dermatological evaluation was carried out in all patients. Relevant investigations likescraping for fungus and biopsy were done when required. In door as well as out patients’record for the same period of last year (2005) was retrieved. The information were dulydocumented and compiled. Prevalence of various common skin disorders was compared inpre and post earthquake scenario and statistical evaluation was done by calculating p-valueafter applying z-test.Results In post-earthquake period, over all proportion of skin patients increased whencompared with similar per-earthquake period. Infections remained at the top in both scenariosbut their proportion increased significantly after earthquake period. Psychocutaneousdisorders like, trichotillomania and dermatitis artifacta were also frequently seen in postearthquakeperiod. Hair, nail, pigmentary disorders, sexually transmitted infections werestatistically less frequent in post earthquake period. Eczemas, psoriasis and vitiligo alsooccurred less commonly.Conclusion A significant increase in overall proportion of skin patients and prevalence ofbacterial infections, viral infections, scabies and certain psychocutaneous disorders wasprobably related to compromised hygiene and sanitation and psychological trauma asconsequence of devastating earthquake of October 8th, 2005.