title: The treatment and demographics of warts: an analysis of national trends.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Verrucae (warts) are a very common dermatologic disease. They can be of cosmetic concern, cause physical discomfort, and predispose patients to certain malignancies. Management of warts has traditionally been based on anatomic location, clinical appearance, and patient preference.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate trends in the treatment of warts, as well as patient demographics associated with the diagnosis of warts.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) was queried for data regarding patient visits associated with the diagnosis of warts from 1990 to 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in the use of topical imiquimod during the study period, such that it became the most frequently used medication for warts. No statistically significant trends were detected regarding the frequency of treatment with medication only, procedure only, or combination treatment. In terms of patient demographics, there was an upward trend in regards to increasing patient age and the diagnosis of warts. However, there were no significant trends with respect to patient gender or race and the diagnosis of warts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Warts not otherwise specified (NOS) was the reported diagnosis for more than eighty percent of patient visits for warts. Trends in the treatment of plantar warts could not be evaluated as the ICD-9 code designating this diagnosis was recently instituted in 2009. Data from NAMCS are cross-sectional in nature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The advent of a new therapy and shifts in population patterns have modified the epidemiologic profile and treatment of warts.
authors.forename: Virginia J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Reeder
authors.forename: Cheryl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014860:Warts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod