title: A survey of skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans: a community-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  South Asians represent a rapidly growing part of the U.S. population, increasing 188 percent from 1990 to 2000 (0.27% to 0.78%). Studies investigating the epidemiology of skin disorders in South Asian Americans are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to determine common skin conditions and concerns among this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a community-based survey study. The IRB-approved survey tool was distributed to South Asians adults in the New York City area. All data was self-reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  190 surveys were completed. 54 percent of responders were female and 46 percent were male. The age of participants ranged from 18-74 years. The respondents were predominantly foreign born (76%), but a large minority (32%) reported living in the U.S. for over 20 years. Nearly half (49%) of the study population reported having visited a dermatologist in the past. The five most common dermatologic diagnoses included: acne (37%), eczema (22%), fungal infection (11%), warts (8%) and moles (8%). The five most common concerns included: dry skin (25%), hair loss (22%), uneven tone (21%), dark spots (18%) and acne (17%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the leading skin conditions and concerns in South Asian Americans are similar to those reported in other populations with skin of color.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY 10025, USA. seshah@chpnet.org
authors.forename: Sejal K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Dhaval G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Bhanusali
authors.forename: Amit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sachdev
authors.forename: Aanand N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Geria
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Alexis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000208:ethnology; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult