Prevalence of scabies worldwide—An updated systematic literature review in 2022

Schneider, Simon; Wu, Jing; Tizek, Linda; Ziehfreund, Stefanie; Zink, Alexander

doi:10.1111/jdv.19167

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…The findings of our study are consistent since this study also noted a significantly higher burden of scabies in the Pacific region in comparison to the other regions. Another recent meta-analysis [77] reported a very wide range of scabies prevalence from 0.18% to 79.6% as did the study by Romani which had a range from 0.2% to 71.4% [76]. The pooled prevalence in our study is similar with a 95% pooled confidence interval spanning 1.4% and 71%.…”

Section: Strengths and Weaknesses In Relation To Other Studies Discus...supporting

confidence: 84%

Prevalence and determinants of scabies: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

GUPTA,

Thornley,

Morris

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background Scabies is a neglected skin disease that disproportionately affects people from resource poor and overcrowded countries. Global data on prevalence and risk factors are limited. Methods Databases (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) were accessed to identify observational studies about scabies published between 2000 and 2023. Results were pooled to estimate prevalence and identify factors which explained between-study heterogeneity. Odds ratios, risk of bias, subgroup analyses and meta-regression were used to describe variation in effect size and heterogeneity based on country-level demographic and economic variables. Findings Fifty-four studies yielded a pooled prevalence of 14.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.4-17.1%) with substantial heterogeneity (I^2=100%; τ^2=0.77). Prevalence was higher in Oceania (18.2%; 95% CI 14.1-23.1) compared to other regions. Pooled risk factors for scabies showed significant associations for behavioral factors including contact with someone with itch (odds ratio [OR] 9.26; 95% CI 2.94-29.2), no use of soap (OR 3.42; 95% CI 2.80-4.18), infrequent bathing (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.76- 4.08), bed-sharing (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.33-4.96), clothes sharing (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.39- 4.13), treated water source (OR 2.29; 95% CI 1.67-3.15) and presence of pets (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.54-3.11). Socio-economic factors were not convincingly associated with scabies prevalence. Conclusion Prevalence of scabies is associated with geographic location and behavioural factors, but not between-country socioeconomic status. This study identifies risk factors for which targeted behavioural interventions addressing interpersonal interaction, personal hygiene practices and specific treatments related to scabies create the potential to reduce scabies disease burden.

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Section: Strengths and Weaknesses In Relation To Other Studies Discus...supporting

confidence: 84%

Prevalence and determinants of scabies: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

GUPTA,

Thornley,

Morris

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The national population-based survey prevalence in our review (2.75%) was lower than Australia (4.2%), the country with the lowest prevalence among general population-based studies in a 2023 systematic review on prevalence studies worldwide. 7 However, there are institutions (orphanages and aged care homes) and settings (tertiary hospital dermatology clinics) that still showed high prevalence in the Philippines.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The highest prevalence in our study were children 0 to 14 y/o, which was also found in a 2023 systematic review where 5 of the 43 included studies collected age-specific data and showed higher prevalence among children < 20 y/o than those > 20 y/o (Fiji Islands, Liberia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu). 7 Children have relatively thinner skin and are more susceptible to infestation by scabies mites. In addition, children are more physically active and may have frequent skin-to-skin contact when playing or interacting in the school and community.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The global prevalence of scabies, based on a systematic review of population-based studies, ranged from 0.81% (Uganda) to 71% (Ghana). 7 Several countrywide systematic reviews on human scabies prevalence have shown pooled prevalence ranging from 6.2% (95% CI 3.6-10.4) in Iran 8 to 14.5% (95% CI: 1.5, 27.6) in Ethiopia. 9 In the Philippines, scabies has been cited as a prevalent skin disease in a 1918 census, 10 a World War II US army personnel report, and a 1975 WHO regional meeting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Systematic Review of Epidemiologic Studies on Scabies in the Philippines

2024

Acta Med Philipp

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Background and Objective. Scabies is the second most common cause of disability due to skin disease in the Philippines. However, there were no cited studies in Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) computations were most likely based on statistical modelling. The Philippine Department of Health has embarked on a program to estimate the disease burden of priority diseases in the country, which include scabies. The last nationwide prevalence survey was 23 years ago. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence or incidence of scabies in the Philippines.Methods. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Herdin, and Philippine Health Research Registry (search date October 2022) for studies on prevalence/incidence (including systematic reviews, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies, case series, registry or census studies) of patients diagnosed with scabies in the Philippines. We excluded narrative reviews, commentaries, and conference proceedings or abstracts. Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts, assessed full text reports for eligibility, appraised the quality of included studies, and collected data using a pretested data extraction form. We did not pool studies due to clinical heterogeneity but plotted the individual studies in a forest plot with prevalence estimates and confidence intervals. We reported the median and interquartile range for entire group or relevant subgroups (age, setting) of studies. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess the certainty of evidence. Results.We included nine studies (N=79,065). Most were clinic-based prevalence studies, retrospective chart reviews, conducted in dermatology outpatient clinics, Metro Manila area, and on pediatric populations. Prevalence of scabies was moderate (i.e., between 2 and 10%), ranging from 2.75% (national prevalence survey) to 6.8% (communitybased review), to high (> 10%) among pediatric patients in clinic-based retrospective chart reviews (29 to 36%) and institution-based surveys (39.0% to 45%), and a tertiary government university training hospital dermatology clinic (22.9%). The most affected age group was from 0 to 14 y/o, while males tended to have a higher prevalence than females. The cooler month of January had higher prevalence than the hotter month of June in one study.

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“…The systematic literature review on the worldwide scabies prevalence by Schneider et al 4 provides a comprehensive and welcome update on the only previous systematic review on the subject published in The Lancet in 2015. 5 At the same time, limitations and shortcomings of such data are evident.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%