Dermatological Disorders in Patients with Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: An Observational Clinical Study

Abstract

Background: Alcohol dependence syndrome is associated with many health problems especially skin change. There are various psychosocial implications in patients who have comorbid skin disorders. Nutritional deficiency due to malabsorption in alcohol dependence syndrome leads to nonhealing skin lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and spectrum of dermatological disorders in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome. Materials and methods: Population for the study consisted of patients diagnosed of alcohol dependence syndrome admitted in deaddiction ward. Thirty consecutive patients with diagnosis of alcohol dependence syndrome formed the sample of the study. Thorough clinical examination was done for diagnosis of dermatological disorders with the help of a dermatologist. Results: Majority of patients attending were in the age group of 31-40 years. Most of them were Christians, educated up to primary from a nuclear population. Higher significance was found in patients in joint families and with an income of less than 5,000. The findings of this study revealed higher prevalence of tinea versicolor (13%), seborrheic dermatitis (11%), and scabies (2%) in patients with alcohol dependence syndrome.