French people and skin diseases: results of a survey using a representative sample.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, from the patients' viewpoint, the prevalence, management, and impact of main dermatologic disorders in France.


METHODS
Survey conducted from March 28 to May 6, 2002, with the Sofres Taylor Nelson Institute on 10,000 households using 1 questionnaire per household.


METHODS
General community.


METHODS
A total of 25,441 subjects from 10,000 households determined to be representative of the French population and regularly surveyed by the Taylor Nelson Sofres Institute.


METHODS
Estimation of the prevalence of skin disorders by the French population.


RESULTS
Of the 10 000 households, 7466 (74.7%) returned the questionnaire, which was completed for 18,137 (71.3%) of the 25,441 subjects. Of those, 15,742 reported having had skin problems since birth, or, by extrapolation, 86.8% (47.29 million) of the French population; 7841 reported having had skin problems in the past 24 months, or, by extrapolation, 43.2% (23.53 million) of the French population; and 28.7% said that their skin problems impaired their daily life. However, 61% of the sample were satisfied with their dermatologist.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey of perceived health status in France highlights both the prevalence of skin disorders and the underestimation of the effects of dermatologic disorders in public health. A majority of the French population is satisfied with the care supplied by dermatologists.
Wolkenstein
Pierre
P
Department of Dermatology and Public Health, University Paris XII, Hôpital Henri-Mondor (AP-HP), Créteil, France.
Grob
Jean-Jacques
JJ
Bastuji-Garin
Sylvie
S
Ruszczynski
Stéphane
S
Roujeau
Jean-Claude
JC
Revuz
Jean
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003880:Dermatology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires