Prevalence of dermatoses in patients referred for evaluation in an outpatient clinic of specialties

BACKGROUND: Brazilian Unified Health System presents a long waiting period for a dermatology appointment, varying from 34 to 239 days. OBJECTIVES: Analyze the prevalence of cutaneous diseases evaluated by dermatologists in a specialized center, in patients referred from the primary care, and to present possible interventions for the primary units. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of the International Codes of Diseases (ICD-10) described in every dermatology appointment in a specialty center in Sao Paulo from January 2014 to August 2015. RESULTS: A total of 7.350 consultations were included. Superficial mycosis corresponded to 1,058 (14.4%) of the main complaints and dermatophytosis was the most frequently used ICD, corresponding to 481 individual consultations (6.5%), followed by onychomycosis, responsible for 464 consultations (6.3%), acne in 347 (4,7%). and contact dermatitis in 311 consultations (4,2%). STUDY LIMITATIONS: The study was based on retrospective analysis of ICD described and no previous orientation for a solid use of the codes was performed to the dermatology team; consultations in which the ICD was not informed or a non-especific ICD was used were excluded; different dermatologists were responsible for the consultations. CONCLUSION: Superficial mycosis corresponded to 14.4% of the chief complaints in the studied period and was the most frequent cause of reference from primary care doctors to dermatologists. Prevalence data obtained in the present study could assist the capacitation policies in the primary care system, focusing the dermatology teaching in the most prevalent dermatological disorders.