Combat dermatology: the prevalence of skin disease in a deployed dermatology clinic in Iraq.
BACKGROUND
Since July 2004, the United States (U.S.) Army has operated a forward-deployed dermatology clinic in Baghdad, Iraq. This paper outlines the prevalence of skin disease among deployed service men and women in Operation Iraqi Freedom.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed for all dermatology visits presenting to the Combat Dermatology Clinic, Ibn Sina, Iraq, between January 15, 2008 and July 15, 2008.


RESULTS
In the six-month period reviewed, 2,696 total patients were evaluated. The most prevalent diagnoses included eczematous dermatitis [17%, n=462] and benign neoplasms [14%, n=375]. Eight percent (n=205) of the total visits were for skin cancer. This included: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma both in-situ and invasive, mycosis fungoides and melanoma. Actinic keratosis comprised 5% of the total visits (n=129). Bacterial infections comprised 6% (n=158) of the total visits and 31 of these cases were community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).


CONCLUSIONS
Cross-sectional study with referral bias.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest publication of the prevalence of skin disease in an exclusively dermatologic clinic in a combat setting. For the first time the presence of skin cancer is noted in a combat setting. The prevalence of MRSA is noted and was exclusively seen in U.S. soldiers. There was a statistically significant rise in the prevalence of eczematous dermatitides when compared with previous conflicts. Dermatologists can have a significant and strategic impact on deployed military medicine.
Department of Dermatology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. jeffrey.henning@lackland.af.mil
J Scott
JS
Henning
Bahar F
BF
Firoz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004485:Eczema / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D015995:Prevalence; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology