Diagnosis of scabies and socio-economic status in Ferrara, Italy: is there an association?

Abstract

Background: The role of socioeconomic status (SES) in the individual risk of contracting scabies in industrialized countries has not been specifically examined. This study aimed to assess potential associations between SES and scabies diagnosis.

Methods: The SES of a retrospective cohort of subjects residing in the province of Ferrara, north-east Italy, who were diagnosed with scabies between 2016 and 2024, was evaluated. SES was represented through an ecological-based deprivation index that identified five subgroups, ranging from I (highest SES) to V (lowest SES).

Results: A total of 307 subjects (188 males, ages ranging from 0 to 93 years) received a diagnosis of scabies at the local Dermatology Unit during the study period. The number of scabies diagnoses gradually increased. The distribution of patients across SES quintiles closely mirrored that of the general population in the same geographical area. However, scabies patients were more likely to belong to the two most deprived classes (IV and V) than to the highest SES classes (I and II) (P<0.001).

Conclusions: Scabies is a widespread infestation that can affect anyone, regardless of their SES. Nevertheless, belonging to lower SES classes appears to increase the risk of contracting scabies: to a greater extent, scabies tends to affect individuals from more deprived backgrounds.