Evaluation of Dermatology Consultations in Internal Medicine Wards: An Analysis of 510 Cases from A Tertiary Center

Abstract

Aim:To evaluate the reasons for dermatology consultations in hospitalized patients in the internal medicine services and the treatments recommended based on these consultations.Methods:The data of patients who were hospitalized in the internal medicine services between June 2018 and June 2020 were evaluated retrospectively including patients’ demographics, reasons for the consultation, recommended additional tests and treatments by the dermatologist.Results:A total of 510 patients (8.6%) (51% male, 49% female, mean age 67.3±16.0 years) requested dermatology consultations were reviewed among patients hospitalized in internal medicine services. The most common reason for the dermatology consultation was cutaneous and subcutaneous infections (n=156, 30.6%) followed by decubitus ulcer (n=94, 18.4%) and vascular diseases (n=50, 9.8%). Topical and/or systemic treatments were recommended to 87.1% of the patients. Duration of hospitalization was longer in patients who requested dermatology consultations than patients not requested (p<0.001).Conclusion:Infectious causes and decubitus ulcer were the two most common reasons for dermatology consultations. Dermatology consultations are of great importance in hospitalized patients to decrease morbidity and the duration of hospitalization.

Keywords

• dermatology
• consultation
• internal medicine
• decubitus ulcer