Dermatologica Sinica

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year
: 2023  |  Volume : 41  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 18--24

Mortality and cause of death in patients with dermatologic diseases: An 11-year record-based observational study


Mina Saber1, Gita Faghihi1, Seyed-Amirmohammad Seyedghafouri2, Sayed Mohsen Hosseini3 
1 Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Biostatics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Mina Saber
Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases and Leishmaniasis Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan
Iran

Background: Information on the cause of death is critical in guiding decisions on health infrastructure. However, there is a relative paucity of mortality data in patients with dermatologic diseases. Objectives: We aim to assess the overall mortality from dermatological disorders in a third-level university hospital which serves as a dermatology referral center. Methods: A retrospective medical note review of patients with dermatologic diseases who died during an 11-year period (from March 2008 to February 2020) was undertaken. Results: There were 63 death cases out of 2810 admissions for patients with dermatologic diseases (crude mortality 2.24%). The average age was 61.8 years and the male-to-female ratio was 2.3. Cutaneous malignancies (53.96%) were the primary causes of death, followed by drug reactions (23.8%). Among skin cancers, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 47.05%) and melanoma (35.29%) were the leading causes of death. Toxic epidermal necrolysis (53.33%) was the leading cause of death among drug reactions. Sepsis (30.74%) was the most common immediate cause of mortality in this series. A large fraction of patients (73%) had significant underlying comorbidities. Conclusion: The principal cause of mortality was cutaneous malignancies (mainly SCC and melanoma) followed by drug reactions. Sepsis was the most common immediate cause of death.


How to cite this article:
Saber M, Faghihi G, Seyedghafouri SA, Hosseini SM. Mortality and cause of death in patients with dermatologic diseases: An 11-year record-based observational study.Dermatol Sin 2023;41:18-24


How to cite this URL:
Saber M, Faghihi G, Seyedghafouri SA, Hosseini SM. Mortality and cause of death in patients with dermatologic diseases: An 11-year record-based observational study. Dermatol Sin [serial online] 2023 [cited 2023 May 31 ];41:18-24
Available from: https://www.dermsinica.org/article.asp?issn=1027-8117;year=2023;volume=41;issue=1;spage=18;epage=24;aulast=Saber;type=0