Forum for Nordic Dermato-Venereology Nr2,2017 | Page 6

Omid Zargari, David J. Elpern and Gregor B.E. Jemec – Dermatology Mondays: On a Global Scale
range of 6–36 years of experience. The diseases were as varied
as those who treat them: cutaneous infections (22 patients)
were the most prevalent skin diseases, most likely reflecting
the special role of the skin as the interface between our bodies
and the environment. It may be that our journals are full of
papers on inflammatory disorders and cancer, but perhaps
simple infections need to be re-evaluated from the perspective
of global dermatology. In particular, fungal infections are most
common infectious diseases.
Dermatitis (n = 16), acne (n = 16), psoriasis (n = 12) and skin
cancers (n = 7) are among the common non-infectious skin
conditions (Table I). While environmental influences may
play a large role, these diseases predominantly show how
our bodies react, and by doing so tell us about ourselves. We
may not yet know the exact pathogenesis of psoriasis, but we
do know that nail psoriasis is associated with enthesitis and
psoriatic arthritis.
of today’s dermatology on an anecdotal, human scale and,
even with this amount of data, important differences emerge.
Dermatologists do not do the same things all over the world,
although they all treat skin disease. It appears obvious that
the environment; physical as well as psychological, social and
economic influences their work. One would not expect less.
Thus, while skin cancers are the main skin problem in the
West, infectious diseases remain the main reason for referrals
to dermatologists in less developed countries, reflecting the
life-style and expectations of our patients.
In the globalized world of the Internet and easy communi-
cation this anecdotal approach could also be considered as
a “mega-grand round”. For instance, a patient from a Cuban
dermatologist can be discussed by experts in the field.
Patient # 3 was an old patient of mine. About 3 years ago,
in 2013 he was hospitalized and referred to me with pru-
ritus, with oily and adherent scales, vesicular lesions on
his scalp, shoulder blades, face and trunk. I did a biopsy
which confirmed my diagnosis of pemphigus erythema-
Certainly, neither this approach nor this small amount of
data can be analysed statistically, but it gives us a glimpse
Table I. First 10 cases on a random Monday in 10 different countries
2 3 4 Erysipelas SCC Subcorneal
pustular
dermatosis Tinea capitis Common
wart MF Herpes zoster Insect bite AK AK Alopecia
areata Psoriasis Psoriasis Eczema Melanoma Psorias