Pattern of Penile dermatoses: an observational study at tertiary level hospitals, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Penile lesions are always a cause for intense concern and embarrassment for the patients, who may therefore delay seeking medical attention. Sexually transmitted infections, represent a major global health problem leading to morbidity, mortality and stigma. Non-venereal dermatoses tend to be confused with venereal diseases, which may be responsible for mental distress and guilt feelings in patients. So, physician and other health professonial related to these condition should have proper knowledge, so that they can diagnose the disease promptly and manage properly. Objective: To study the pattern of penile dermatoses. Methodology: This was an observational cross sectional study which was conducted in the Department of Dermatology & Venereology of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College hospital and Bangabandhu Sheik Mujib Medical University in Dhaka city of Bangladesh during the period of July 2010 to June 2012. The patients having penile dermatoses diagnosed clinically and confirmed by relevant investigations were included. Results: A total of 503 patients having penile lesion only were enrolled in this study. Skin infections were the most common dermatoses (363 patients, 72.15%) followed by papulosquamous (33 patients, 6.54%), dermatitis (29 patients, 5.76%), pearly penile disease (19 patients, 3.77%), drug reaction (16 patients, 3.16%), Peyronie’s disease (13 patients, 2.58%), vitiligo (11 patients, 2.18%) and neoplasms (10 patients, 1.98%). Conclusion: A few of the penile dermatoses are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Control of sexually transmitted infections should be given priority, because they may be related to HIV transmission. Although many of the penile dermatoses are benign, some of them may lead to long term sequelae, infertility and malignancy.