title: Prevalence of actinic keratosis among dermatology outpatients in Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Actinic keratoses (AKs) are common skin lesions associated with an increased risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma. Few studies in Europe have focused on AK prevalence.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the point prevalence of AKs in a dermatology outpatient population in Spain, to describe the clinical characteristics of these lesions and to characterise the profile of AK patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational, cross-sectional, multicentre study conducted in 19 hospitals (dermatology outpatient services) around Spain. A total of 204 consecutive patients per hospital who were ≥45 years old were screened for the presence of AKs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  3877 patients were assessed and the overall AKs prevalence was 28.6%. Prevalence was significantly higher in men than women (38.4% vs. 20.8%, p<0.0001) and increased with age for both sexes (45.2% in 71-80 years). Scalp and ear lesion locations were significantly more frequent in men (51.9% vs. 2.7% and 16.9% vs. 2.4%, respectively, p<0.0001 both cases) and the cheek, nose and neckline in women (46.3% vs. 34.0% [p<0.0001], 43.0% vs. 24.8% [p<0.0001] and 5.3% vs. 1.8% [p=0.002]). Men showed a significantly higher frequency of ≥2 affected areas than women (42.7% vs. 20.3%, p<0.0001). Among patients with AK lesions, only 65% confirmed that they were the reason for the visit to the clinic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately a quarter of the dermatology outpatient population in Spain aged ≥45 years old have AKs, with the prevalence rate being highest in men and in older age groups. AK is underdiagnosed and a proactive strategy is needed for the diagnosis and early treatment of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Dermotología, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: cferrandiz.germanstrias@gencat.cat.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrándiz
authors.affiliation: Medical Department Spain, Almirall, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Plazas
authors.affiliation: TFS Develop, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabaté
authors.affiliation: Área de investigación aplicada, GOC Networking, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palomino
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003880:Dermatology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution
keywords: Actinic keratosis; España; Lesiones cutáneas; Outpatient population; Población ambulatoria; Prevalence; Prevalencia; Queratosis actínica; Skin lesions; Spain