BACKGROUND: Although crucial for health policies, there are few data on frequency of skin diseases in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To generate data on the main dermatologic diagnoses in the country. METHODS: Diagnoses made at outpatient's visits were collected by a sample of dermatologists in their private offices and at 49 residency services, during one week (May 22-26, 2006). A form was filled in with clinical and demographic data, with no patient identification. RESULTS: The main diagnosis was acne accounting for 14% of visits, followed by superficial mycoses (8.7%), pigmentation disorders (8.4%) and actinic keratosis (5.1%). Actinic keratosis was the main reason for consultation in the group aged 65 years and over (17.2%), followed by basal cell carcinoma (9.8%). Leprosy ranked twentieth in the country as a whole and fourth in Central West region. CONCLUSION: The morbidity profile of dermatological outpatient's visits in Brazil is a pattern related to the specialty and not to primary healthcare. The findings stress the relevance of acne, skin cancer and leprosy as public health problems and point out to continuous investment in health education.
Brazil; Dermatology; Diagnosis; Skin diseases; Skin diseases
