Skin Diseases in Critically Ill Patients: An Overview

Abstract

Background: In the intensive care unit (ICU) patients, skin diseases manifest themselves differently due to comorbid diseases and ongoing a number of medications. Objectives: To evaluate the spectrum of skin conditions in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 644 patients aged 18 and above who were admitted to the ICU & HDU for different health issues. Skin conditions were evaluated and categorized by a qualified dermatologist. Results: The total number of patients was 644 in the ICU & HDU over a period of 10 months. Fifty-seven patients with dermatologic problems were identified among them 30 were female and 27 were males. The age ranged from 18 to 98 years of life (mean ± standard deviation: 43.6±30.1 years). The most common skin disorders were infectious diseases (35%), followed by inflammatory and autoimmune disease (24.56%) and vascular and coagulopathy (17.5%), drug eruption (12.2%)and miscellaneous (7%)and dermatosis due to exogenous factor (3.5%). Conclusion: Skin infections, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, coagulopathy and drug reactions were found to be more prevalent in ICU patients. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the quality of patient’s life in ICU.

Keywords: Intensive care unit, Skin diseases, critically ill patients.