Acutely Ill Patients in Internal Medicine Departments Want Treatment for Undiagnosed, Symptomatic Skin Conditions

In a study at the University Hospital Zurich involving 200 patients in the internal medicine division, researchers found a high prevalence of undiagnosed skin conditions, with an average of 13 ± 4 conditions per patient, including xerosis, warts, seborrheic eczema, and onychorrhexis. Despite the severity of their primary illnesses, 84% of patients expressed a desire for treatment of their skin conditions, which were shown to mildly impair their dermatological quality of life. The study, which took place from December 1, 2009, to January 31, 2010, highlighted the lack of attention given to dermatological issues in internal medicine, suggesting the need for better integration of dermatological care to improve patient quality of life. Gender differences were noted in the distribution of certain skin conditions, and the study recommended that internal medicine departments should inquire about dermatological history and collaborate more closely with dermatologists.