The role of dermatology in African patients referred for health treatment in a European centre

Background: Owing to the migratory movement between African and European countries, we have been seeing an increasing number of dermatoses in patients with darker skin phenotypes in our clinical practice. Aim: To evaluate the support provided by outpatient dermatology consultations to such patients and to assess the most frequent dermatoses seen in this population. Methods: A retrospective 5-year study was conducted in a Portuguese hospital, which is a referral centre to several medical specialities for patients evacuated from Portuguese-speaking African countries, under a specific agreement of international cooperation in health. Results: In total, 116 patients, with a mean age of 38 years, were evaluated. In total, 47 dermatoses were identified, with the 6 most common being fungal infections (12.1%), eczema (9.5%), dyschromias (8.6%), xerosis (6.9%), acne (6%) and hair disorders (6%). Conclusions: This increased knowledge about the most frequent dermatoses in this population, along with their manifestations and the factors that influence them should allow better diagnosis and therapy.