Dermatological disorders in Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012

Lan,Li‑Jung; Lien,Ying‑Shuang; Wang,Shao‑Chuan; Ituaso-Conway,Nese; Tsai,Ming-Che; Tseng,Pao-Ying; Yeh,Yu‑Lin; Chen,Chun‑Tzu; Lue,Ko‑Huang; Chung,Jing‑Gung; Hsiao,Yu‑Ping

doi:10.3892/mmr.2015.3806

Dermatological disorders in Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012

Authors:
- Li‑Jung Lan
- Ying‑Shuang Lien
- Shao‑Chuan Wang
- Nese Ituaso-Conway
- Ming-Che Tsai
- Pao-Ying Tseng
- Yu‑Lin Yeh
- Chun‑Tzu Chen
- Ko‑Huang Lue
- Jing‑Gung Chung
- Yu‑Ping Hsiao
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Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C., Institute of Medicine, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C., Public Health, Princess Margaret Hospital, Ministry of Health, Funafuti, Tuvalu , International Medical Service Center, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C., Department of Chief Secretary Group, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C., Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung 40201, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Published online on: May 21, 2015 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2015.3806
Pages: 3629-3631

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Abstract

There is a distinct lack of knowledge on the prevalence of skin disorders in Tuvalu. The aim of the current study was to assess the prevalence of cutaneous diseases and to evaluate access dermatological care in Tuvalu. Cutaneous disorders in the people of Tuvalu between 2009 and 2012 were examined. The most common skin conditions were eczema/dermatitis, superficial fungal infections, impetigo, carbuncles, furuncles, folliculitis, acne, scabies, warts and keloids. Infrequent skin conditions included infectious granulomatous disease, albinism, actinic keratosis, skin cancer, cutaneous lupus erythematosus and mammary Paget's disease, which required medical attention. This is the first epidemiological report on skin disorders in the southwest Pacific Island, Tuvalu.

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