EPIDEMIOLOGICAL TREND IN SUPERFICIAL FUNGAL INFECTIONS AT A TERTIARY CENTRE IN WESTERN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND It is an indisputable fact that there is an increase in the prevalence of dermatophytosis over the past 4 - 5 years across the country (Prevalence rate= 27.6% in India and 29.6% outside India).(1,2,3) However, the current perception among practicing Indian Dermatologists is that among outpatients there is a huge change in clinical profile, both qualitative and quantitative.(1) The study was aimed at studying different epidemiological factors, which influence or are likely to influence superficial fungal infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a descriptive study. Patients with suspected dermatophytoses attending the Dermatology Department of SRMS Hospital, Bareilly were enrolled in the study. A detailed history, clinical examination and sample collection for mycological examinations were done. RESULTS Out of 600 patients screened, 150 patients were finally enrolled who fulfilled all inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. CONCLUSION Our study is a comparative analysis with studies done in other parts of the country to the trends in Western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on dermatophytosis and superficial fungal infection. Subjects in the age group 21-30 years, service personnel and subjects from upper socio-economic status were more predisposed to superficial fungal infections.