Background: Skin disorders which require treatment are a common development in patients treated in intensive care units (ICUs). There are very few prospective studies about skin complications in adult ICUs.
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate skin disorders in ICU-treated adult patients who were consulted for dermatological problems.
Methods: Eighty-two of 591 patients admitted to ICUs who were consulted for dermatological problems were included in the study. The correlation between skin complications and associated comorbidities, age, gender and ICU length of stay were analyzed.
Results: Ninety dermatological complications were observed. Cutaneous drug reactions were significantly more frequent in female patients than males (p = 0.020). Candidal intertrigo was more frequent in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients (p = 0.042).
Conclusion: Patients in ICUs may develop various skin disorders that need to be evaluated by dermatological consultations. Clinical features of the patients, especially gender and comorbidities, may predispose skin complications.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.