title: High prevalence of skin diseases and need for treatment in a middle-aged population. A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 study.
abstract: To determine the overall prevalence of skin diseases a whole-body skin examination was performed for 1,932 members (46-years of age) of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC 1966), which is a comprehensive longitudinal research program (N = 12,058). A high prevalence of all skin diseases needing treatment was found (N = 1,158). Half of the cases of skin findings were evaluated to be serious enough to require diagnostic evaluation, treatment or follow-up either in a general health care, occupational health care or a secondary care setting. The remaining half were thought to be slight and self-treatment was advised. Males (70%) had more skin diseases needing treatment than females (52%) (P<0.001). The most common skin finding was a benign skin tumor, which was found in every cohort member. Skin infections (44%), eczemas (27%) and sebaceous gland diseases (27%) were the most common skin diseases in the cohort. Moreover, skin infections and eczemas were more commonly seen in the group with low education compared to those with high education (P<0.005). The results strengthen the postulate that skin diseases are common in an adult population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Suvi-Päivikki
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Sinikumpu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huilaja
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Unit of General Practice, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jokelainen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koiranen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Juha
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Auvinen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Päivi M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Hägg
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wikström
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Markku
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Timonen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Medical Research Center, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Kaisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tasanen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy