Journal of

Background and Aim: National studies on the prevalence of skin problems of the Iranian are very limited. The aim of this study was to determine the skin complaints of adult male population.
 

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1419 men over 35 years from 32 provinces participated by invitation. Demographic information, underlying disease history and presence of skin problems/diseases were collected by dermatologists. The participants were evaluated in terms of the presence of skin complaints (itching, burning, dry skin, redness, scaling, and skin color change); and any skin complaints with type, severity and location. 
 

Results: About one third 31.6% of the Iranian male middle-aged and elderly, had an underlying disease (n=449). High blood pressure, diabetes, and neurological disorders constituted 79.7% of the chronic diseases. In total, n=344 persons (24.2%) were rated as having skin complaint. Most people who had a skin complaint reported more than one skin complaint 75.6% (n=260). The most common skin complaints were related to itching 14.6% (n=207) and dry skin 5.6% (23.3%) in studied population, which were mostly mild 59.3% (n=204) and localize 58.4% (n=201). The use of corticosteroids was stated in 7.2%(n=103) and the most common types of usage was oral 62.1% (n=64). There was significant correlation between skin complaint and occupational exposure (P=0.01); lower education level (P=0.05); corticosteroid usage in general (P<0.001) and both oral (P=0.02) and topical (P<0.001) corticosteroid.
 

Conclusion: Skin complaint is common among middle-aged and elderly Iranian men. The most common skin complaint are mostly mild and localized itching and dry skin.