Atopic dermatitis is a common childhood disease that impairs quality of life. The study aimed to clarify the impact of childhood atopic dermatitis on family life and to correlate severity of atopic dermatitis with family life. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia over a period of 4 months extending from April to July 2009. The parents of children with atopic dermatitis were asked through a validated "Dermatitis Family Impact Questionnaire" about the impact of the disease on their life. For each questionnaire, a total score of 0 to 5 is considered as normal quality of life, 6 to 10 as low, 11 to 20 as moderate and >20 as high alteration in quality of life. The severity of the disease was evaluated using the SCORAD index. A total of 447 children with atopic dermatitis were included in the study. Their mean age was 65.9 months. Males constituted 57% of the patients. The mean score for quality of life in affected families was 13.9 (minimum 2, maximum 25). Based on our suggested classification, only 15 (3.4%) had normal quality of life, 104 (23.3%) were mildly affected, 297 (66.4%) were moderately affected, while 31 (6.9%) reported severe alternation in their quality of life. Sleep, monthly expenditure, and food preparation were the activities showing the highest level of disturbance. The disturbance in quality of life was significantly correlated to increasing severity of the disease. The study has emphasized the importance of investigating the quality of life of atopic dermatitis families. A simple questionnaire is a useful guide for appropriate management of the disease.

The incidence of ICP in this region is low compared to worldwide range. Expectant management to 40-weeks gestation is associated with obstetrical and fetal outcomes comparable to normal pregnancy; however, intrapartum fetal asphyxia is more likely.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Epidemiological studies to determine the burden of skin diseases are important for proper health care planning. The purpose of this study was to find the pattern of skin diseases in our patients attending university-affiliated dermatologic clinics in the Qassim region.METHODS:We conducted a prospective study of all Saudi patients attending the Qassim University Medical College-affiliated dermatology clinics of the Ministry of Health for a period of 12 months from 1 March 2008 to 28 February 2009.RESULTS:The study included 3051 patients comprising 1786 (58.5%) males and 1265 (41.5%) females. Males outnumbered females (P<.05) (male-to-female ratio, 1.4:1). The mean age (standard error of the mean) of the patients was 25.3 (0.27) years. About 71% of the patients were between 5 and 34 years of age. The top five skin diseases were eczema/ dermatitis (19.5%), viral infections (16.6%), pilosebaceous disorders (14.4%), pigmentary lesions (11.2%) and hair disorders (7.6%). The major disorder in males was viral skin infections (20.0%), while eczema/dermatitis (20.7%) constituted the most prevalent skin disease in females. Seasonal variations were recorded in cases of pigmentary lesions, papulosquamous disorders and protozoal infections.CONCLUSION:Infectious skin diseases, eczema/dermatitis, pilosebaceous disorders, pigmentary lesions and hair disorders ranked as the top five skin diseases. Appropriate training programs for diagnosing and managing common skin diseases should be initiated for primary health care physicians and other general practitioners so as to decrease referrals to dermatology clinics.

prevalence of skin manifestations in type 2 than type 1, and as the duration of diabetes increased, the likelihood of developing skin manifestations also increased. Early referral to the dermatologist may help to detect complications of the skin in diabetes at an early stage and may prevent disability caused by these complications.

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