Analysis of cases managed by dermatological service in the Chinese peacekeeping level 1+ medical treatment facility in Lebanon, 2018–2019

INTRODUCTION: To accomplish the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, China has deployed a level 1+ (CHN L1+) medical treatment facility (MTF) as per the new memorandum. The aim of this study was to review and analyse the skin diseases managed by Chinese dermatological service so as to gain the latest prevalence of different types of skin diseases in this mission area. METHODS: All patients assessed and treated by the dermatological service of CHN L1+ MTF from January 2018 to May 2019 were included. A comparative analysis was made between this study and data published by other peacekeeping medical facilities. RESULTS: A total of 549 patients were included (87.4% men, with an average age of 35 years old), consisting of 399 military personnel and 150 civilians. Dermatitis and eczema (27.1%) were the most common category of skin diseases, followed by cutaneous mycoses (13.3%) and disorders of skin appendages (10.6%). Among these categories, unspecified dermatitis (9.3%), acne vulgaris (6.6%), tinea corporis (5.3%), folliculitis (5.1%) and tinea pedis (4.7%) were the top five most common reasons for dermatological consultation. CONCLUSIONS: To get a clearer understanding of the disease-type profile in this mission area was beneficial for peacekeeping doctors to make more accurate diagnosis, as well as to prepare more comprehensive medicines during the predeployment period. As dermatological service was lacking in basic medical troops, we would recommend the use of telemedicine to promote dermatological consultations when a specialist was not deployed.