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Self reported skin morbidity and ethnicity: a population-based study in a Western community

Dahlgard, F ; Holm, J ; Svensson, Åke LU ; Kumar, B and Sundby, J (2007) In BMC Dermtology 7.
Abstract
Background



Recent studies have shown ethnic differences concerning cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and mental health. Little is known about ethnic differences in skin morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe possible ethnic differences in self-reported skin morbidity in a Western urban community.

Methods



The design was cross sectional. 40 888 adults in Oslo, Norway, received a postal questionnaire providing information on socio-demographic factors and self-reported health, including items on skin complaints.

Results



18770 individuals answered the questionnaire. In the sample 84% were from Norway. The largest immigrant group was from Western countries... (More)
Background



Recent studies have shown ethnic differences concerning cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and mental health. Little is known about ethnic differences in skin morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe possible ethnic differences in self-reported skin morbidity in a Western urban community.

Methods



The design was cross sectional. 40 888 adults in Oslo, Norway, received a postal questionnaire providing information on socio-demographic factors and self-reported health, including items on skin complaints.

Results



18770 individuals answered the questionnaire. In the sample 84% were from Norway. The largest immigrant group was from Western countries (5%) and the Indian Subcontinent (3%). Itch was the most prevalent reported skin symptom (7%), and was significantly more reported by men from East Asia (18%) and Middle East/North Africa (13%). The same observations were seen for reported dry and sore skin. Hair loss was a dominating complaint for men from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East/North Africa (23% and 25%) and for women from the same ethnic groups. Women from Sub-Saharan Africa reported significantly more pimples than in the other groups (17%).

Conclusion



The study showed that there were significant differences in self-reported skin complaints among ethnic groups. Issues concerning the cultural value of some skin symptoms should be examined further.

Background (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BMC Dermtology
volume
7
article number
4
publisher
BioMed Central (BMC)
external identifiers
  • scopus:34547163851
DOI
10.1186/1471-5945-7-4
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Pediatrics/Urology/Gynecology/Endocrinology (013240400)
id
efe6b2e2-19c5-443b-8035-014301717e7a (old id 1142467)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 10:36:42
date last changed
2022-05-17 03:12:09
@article{efe6b2e2-19c5-443b-8035-014301717e7a,
  abstract     = {{Background<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Recent studies have shown ethnic differences concerning cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and mental health. Little is known about ethnic differences in skin morbidity. The purpose of this study was to describe possible ethnic differences in self-reported skin morbidity in a Western urban community.<br/><br>
Methods<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The design was cross sectional. 40 888 adults in Oslo, Norway, received a postal questionnaire providing information on socio-demographic factors and self-reported health, including items on skin complaints.<br/><br>
Results<br/><br>
<br/><br>
18770 individuals answered the questionnaire. In the sample 84% were from Norway. The largest immigrant group was from Western countries (5%) and the Indian Subcontinent (3%). Itch was the most prevalent reported skin symptom (7%), and was significantly more reported by men from East Asia (18%) and Middle East/North Africa (13%). The same observations were seen for reported dry and sore skin. Hair loss was a dominating complaint for men from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East/North Africa (23% and 25%) and for women from the same ethnic groups. Women from Sub-Saharan Africa reported significantly more pimples than in the other groups (17%).<br/><br>
Conclusion<br/><br>
<br/><br>
The study showed that there were significant differences in self-reported skin complaints among ethnic groups. Issues concerning the cultural value of some skin symptoms should be examined further.<br/><br>
Background}},
  author       = {{Dahlgard, F and Holm, J and Svensson, Åke and Kumar, B and Sundby, J}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
  series       = {{BMC Dermtology}},
  title        = {{Self reported skin morbidity and ethnicity: a population-based study in a Western community}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-5945-7-4}},
  doi          = {{10.1186/1471-5945-7-4}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}