The spectrum of skin-related conditions in primary care during 2015-2019-A Finnish nationwide database study.

BACKGROUND

Skin-related conditions are the frequent cause of doctors' consultations in primary care.

METHODS

Based on nationwide data bank information of the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, we analysed the 20 most frequent main diagnoses for each ICD-10 category of all general practitioners' visits in the public health care in Finland over the years 2015-2019.

RESULTS

The total amount of doctor's visits was 19 204 613 of which 1 489 228 consultations (7.80%) had a skin-related condition as the main diagnosis. The most frequent skin-related conditions were eczematous eruptions, bacterial skin infections and benign skin neoplasms accounting for 749 351 consultations (50.32%). The spectrum of skin-related conditions was diverse, with a large quantity of rarer diagnoses. Some diagnoses showed significant proportional changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate that a limited amount of conditions comprises most of the skin-related consultations in primary care in Finland. Undergraduate education in dermatology should concentrate on the most frequent conditions seen by general practitioners, but also address the wide range of skin problems.