Clinico-epidemiological evaluation of chronic folliculitis of leg- A single study from southern India

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the clinico-epidemiological evaluation of chronic folliculitis of the leg in the southern Indian population. This was a prospective observational study, undertaken over a period of two years. All patients attending the outpatient department Southern Indian tertiary care hospital's Dermatology Department (M.K.C.G.Medical College & Hospital, Odisha) were recruited. A total of 100 patients were enrolled, aged between 12 to 70 years with a M: F ratio of 10.1: 1. Eighty per cent of the population in the study were rural, and 20% belonged to the urban area. Clinical characteristics and demographic data of the patients were collected in a pre-designed proforma. Those patients who had pustules on the leg underwent pus culture and sensitivity test. Majority of the patients presented with papules and pustules (96%cases) and bilateral symmetrical leg involvement (98% cases). Pruritus was the most common clinical presentation ( 90% cases). Staphylococcus was isolated in the majority of cases (80%) and was sensitive to Amikacin (73%), Linezolid (70%), vancomycin (68%), and Gentamycin (65%). Chronic folliculitis of the leg is mainly a disease of young adult males of low socioeconomic status. Avoiding aggravating factors and cautious use of sensitive antibiotics may achieve treatment goals and decrease recurrence.