Epidemiology and dermatological comorbidity of seborrhoeic dermatitis: population‐based study in 161 269 employees

Summary Background Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common but epidemiologically poorly researched chronic skin disease. Objectives To characterize the prevalence and dermatological comorbidity of seborrhoeic dermatitis in Germany. Methods In the course of voluntary company skin checks, full‐body examina...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of dermatology (1951) 2019-10, Vol.181 (4), p.743-748
Main Authors: Zander, N., Sommer, R., Schäfer, I., Reinert, R., Kirsten, N., Zyriax, B.‐C., Maul, J.‐T., Augustin, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acne
Adolescent
Adult
Age
Age Factors
Aged
Cohort Studies
Comorbidity
Contact dermatitis
Dermatitis
Dermatitis, Seborrheic - diagnosis
Dermatitis, Seborrheic - epidemiology
Epidemiology
Female
Folliculitis
Germany - epidemiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Onychomycosis
Pityriasis
Pityriasis versicolor
Population studies
Population-based studies
Prevalence
Psoriasis
Pyoderma
Risk Factors
Rosacea
Sex Factors
Sex ratio
Skin
Skin diseases
Tinea corporis
Tinea pedis
Young Adult
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Summary:Summary Background Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common but epidemiologically poorly researched chronic skin disease. Objectives To characterize the prevalence and dermatological comorbidity of seborrhoeic dermatitis in Germany. Methods In the course of voluntary company skin checks, full‐body examinations were carried out in more than 500 companies by experienced dermatologists and documented electronically. Results In total, 161 269 participants were included (men 55·5%, mean age 43·2 ± 10·9 years). Seborrhoeic dermatitis was identified in 3·2% (men 4·6%, women 1·4%). A significant difference was found between age groups (2·0% in < 35; 3·6% in 35–64; 4·4% ≥ 65 years). The most frequent concomitant skin conditions were: folliculitis [17·0%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 15·9–18·1], onychomycosis (9·1%, 95% CI 8·3–10·0), tinea pedis (7·1%, 95% CI 6·3–7·8), rosacea (4·1%, 95% CI 3·6–4·7), acne (4·0%, 95% CI 3·4–4·5) and psoriasis (2·7%, 95% CI 2·3–3·2). Regression analysis revealed the following relative dermatological comorbidities when controlling for age and sex: folliculitis [odds ratio (OR) 2·1, 95% CI 2·0–2·3], contact dermatitis (OR 1·8, 95% CI 1·1–2·8), intertriginous dermatitis (OR 1·8, 95% CI 1·4–2·2), rosacea (OR 1·6, 95% CI 1·4–1·8), acne (OR 1·4, 95% CI 1·2–1·7), pyoderma (OR 1·4, 95% CI 1·1–1·8), tinea corporis (OR 1·4, 95% CI 1·0–2·0), pityriasis versicolor (OR 1·3, 95% CI 1·0–1·7) and psoriasis (OR 1·2, 95% CI 1·0–1·5). Conclusions Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a common disease, which is more prevalent in men and older people, and it has an increased rate of dermatological comorbidity. However, absolute differences in the prevalence of comorbidities are small and negligible. Nevertheless, the findings underline the need for integrated, complete dermatological diagnostics and therapy. What's already known about this topic? Seborrhoeic dermatitis is a multifactorial skin disease with endogenous and exogenous predisposing factors. It is one of the more common skin diseases, and is estimated to affect between 1% and 8% of the general adult population. The prevalence of seborrhoeic dermatitis is higher among men and elderly people. Seborrhoeic dermatitis is associated with systemic diseases. What does this study add? Robust data on the epidemiology of seborrhoeic dermatitis on a population‐based level. Data on dermatological comorbidity; seborrhoeic dermatitis seems to be strongly associated with fungal and bacterial diseases and is a possible pathogene
ISSN:0007-0963
1365-2133
DOI:10.1111/bjd.17826