RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Scabies in a Dermatology Office
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 78
OP 84
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2017.01.160190
VO 30
IS 1
A1 Kathryn L. Anderson
A1 Lindsay C. Strowd
YR 2017
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/30/1/78.abstract
AB Background: Scabies is a neglected skin disease, and little is known about current incidence and treatment patterns in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine demographic data, treatment types, success of treatment, and misdiagnosis rate of scabies in an outpatient dermatology clinic.Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with scabies within the past 5 years was performed.Results: A total of 459 charts were identified, with 428 meeting inclusion criteria. Demographic data, diagnostic method, treatment choice, misdiagnosis rate, treatment failure, and itching after scabies are also reported. Children were the largest age group diagnosed with scabies, at 38%. Males (54%) were diagnosed with scabies more than females. The majority of diagnoses were made by visualizing ova, feces, or mites on light microscopy (58%). At the time of diagnosis, 45% of patients had been misdiagnosed by another provider. Topical permethrin was the most common treatment used (69%), followed by a combination of topical permethrin and oral ivermectin (23%), oral ivermectin (7%), and other treatments (1%).Conclusion: Our findings suggest that more accurate and faster diagnostic methods are needed to limit unnecessary treatment and expedite appropriate therapy for scabies.