Incidence of scabies in Belgium.
A prospective survey on scabies in Ghent, Belgium was performed in 2004. Sixty-four individual cases were reported, corresponding to a crude incidence rate of 28/100,000 inhabitants. The incidence was higher in the elderly (51/100,000 in persons aged >75 years) and a higher incidence was also found in immigrants (88/100,000). More than 40% of the registered scabies patients had symptoms for more than 4 weeks at the time of presentation. In 54% of the consultations, the patient had already consulted a physician for his/her skin problem. Of this group, 44% had not yet received any scabicidal treatment, indicating that scabies was not yet diagnosed or that an inappropriate treatment was prescribed. The observations suggest that the diagnosis and/or treatment of scabies in this region can still be improved.
Lapeere
H
H
Department of Dermatology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. hilde.lapeere@ugent.be
Naeyaert
J-M
JM
De Weert
J
J
De Maeseneer
J
J
Brochez
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008925:Mites; D012307:Risk Factors; D012532:Scabies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology