Prevalence of Scalp Disorders Among Outpatients Attending Dermatology Department in a Semi-Urban Setup: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

In a cross-sectional observational study conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur, the prevalence of scalp disorders among 602 outpatients was examined. The study found that 109 patients (18.1%) had scalp conditions related to their presenting symptoms, while 181 patients (30%) had incidental scalp findings unrelated to their primary complaint. The most common incidental findings were dandruff (96 cases), male pattern alopecia (33 cases), and premature greying (27 cases). The majority of patients were from an urban background (63.5%) and the most common age group was 16-29 years (46.5%). The most frequent diagnosis was acne (21.3%), followed by eczematous disorders (20.3%). The study concluded that scalp examination should be a routine part of dermatological assessment, as it can reveal conditions that may contribute to the diagnosis or require treatment.