Inflammatory dermatoses, infections, and drug eruptions are the most common skin conditions in hospitalized cancer patients. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Dermatologic conditions cause morbidity and mortality among hospitalized cancer patients. An improved understanding is critical for implementing clinical and research programs in inpatient oncodermatology. OBJECTIVE: To characterize inpatient dermatology consultations at a large comprehensive cancer center. METHODS: Retrospective database query of new admissions and medical record review of initial inpatient dermatology consultations comparing inpatients consulted and not consulted during January-December 2015. RESULTS: In total, 412 of 11,533 inpatients received 471 dermatology consultations (54% male, median age 59.5 years). Patients with hematologic cancers were 6 times more likely to receive dermatologic consultations compared with nonhematologic cancers (odds ratio 6.56, 95% confidence interval 5.35-8.05, P < .0001). Patients consulted by a dermatologist had a significantly longer length of stay than inpatients not consulted by dermatology (median 11 vs 5 days, P < .0001). Among the 645 dermatologic conditions diagnosed, the most common categories were inflammatory diseases, infections, and drug reactions; the most frequent conditions were contact dermatitis, herpes zoster, and chemotherapy-induced drug eruptions. LIMITATIONS: The study's retrospective nature and single-institution setting are potential limitations. CONCLUSION: Hematologic malignancies are a significant risk factor for dermatology inpatient consultations. A significantly longer length of stay was associated with dermatology consultations, suggesting high comorbidities in these patients. Increased dermatologic care of these inpatients might improve quality of life, dermatologic health, and ability to receive anticancer agents.

publication date

  • December 19, 2017

Research

keywords

  • Dermatitis
  • Drug Eruptions
  • Hospitalization
  • Neoplasms
  • Referral and Consultation

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC5951751

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85042865614

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.12.031

PubMed ID

  • 29273489

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 78

issue

  • 6