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EXFOLIATIVE ERYTHRODERMA AT KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL, NAIROBI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Exfoliative erythroderma (EE), (Synonyms: Exfoliative dermatitis,
Red man syndrome) is a clinical syndrome characterised by generalised erythema
and scale. It is an important cause of functional skin failure and associated high
morbidity and variable mortality rates.
Objectives: To study demographics, aetiology, complications and clinical outcomes
of exfoliative erythroderma (EE ) on patients attending Kenyatta National Hospital
(KNH).
Design:Cross- sectional descriptive study.
Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, Dermatology Unit.
Subjects: All available medical records on inpatients seen by qualified dermatologists
at KNH with generalised erythema and scale from 1996 to 2006.
Main Outcome Measures: Discharge or death.
Results: Incidence exfoliative erythroderma was documented in 146 out of all 123
admissions (13%) into the dermatology unit from 1996-2006. Demographic mean
age was 47 years, M: F ratio was 3:2, 67% had no income and 53% and 30% were
residents of Nairobi and adjacent districts respectively. Sixty three percent were due
to skin diseases, 23% due to systemic diseases of which 20% were due to HIV / AIDS
and 14% due to adverse cutaneous drug reactions. Ninety percent of patients were
treated and discharged and 10% died; 50% of whom had dermatoses and 29% due
to HIV associated antituberculous drugs.
Conclusions: Exfoliative erythroderma is an important cause of morbidity, admission
and mortality in patients attending KNH. Dermatoses and HIV / AIDS were the most
frequent causes. The mortality rate was relatively low and attributable to controllable
diseases.
Background: Exfoliative erythroderma (EE), (Synonyms: Exfoliative dermatitis,
Red man syndrome) is a clinical syndrome characterised by generalised erythema
and scale. It is an important cause of functional skin failure and associated high
morbidity and variable mortality rates.
Objectives: To study demographics, aetiology, complications and clinical outcomes
of exfoliative erythroderma (EE ) on patients attending Kenyatta National Hospital
(KNH).
Design:Cross- sectional descriptive study.
Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, Dermatology Unit.
Subjects: All available medical records on inpatients seen by qualified dermatologists
at KNH with generalised erythema and scale from 1996 to 2006.
Main Outcome Measures: Discharge or death.
Results: Incidence exfoliative erythroderma was documented in 146 out of all 123
admissions (13%) into the dermatology unit from 1996-2006. Demographic mean
age was 47 years, M: F ratio was 3:2, 67% had no income and 53% and 30% were
residents of Nairobi and adjacent districts respectively. Sixty three percent were due
to skin diseases, 23% due to systemic diseases of which 20% were due to HIV / AIDS
and 14% due to adverse cutaneous drug reactions. Ninety percent of patients were
treated and discharged and 10% died; 50% of whom had dermatoses and 29% due
to HIV associated antituberculous drugs.
Conclusions: Exfoliative erythroderma is an important cause of morbidity, admission
and mortality in patients attending KNH. Dermatoses and HIV / AIDS were the most
frequent causes. The mortality rate was relatively low and attributable to controllable
diseases.
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