Skin disease of penis and male genitalia is linked to atopy and circumcision: caseload in a male genital dermatology clinic

• Published in: Australasian journal of dermatology 2017-08, Vol.58 (3), p.e68-e72
• Main Authors: Elakis, Joshua Angelo, Hall, Anthony P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atopy; Australia - epidemiology; Circumcision; Circumcision, Male - statistics & numerical data; clinic; Condyloma acuminatum; Contact dermatitis; Dermatitis; Dermatology; dysaesthesia; Eczema; Female; genital; Genitalia; Humans; Hypersensitivity - epidemiology; Lichen planus; Male; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Penile Diseases - epidemiology; Penis; penoscrotodynia; Prevalence; Psoriasis; Retrospective Studies; Scrotum; Skin diseases; Skin Diseases - epidemiology; Warts; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0004-8380; 1440-0960
• DOI: 10.1111/ajd.12485

Background/Objectives Male genital dermatoses are a common and underappreciated cause of morbidity. Its prevalence and the characteristics of patients presenting with these conditions are poorly understood. The aim of the study was to ascertain which dermatoses were referred to the Male Genital Dermatology Clinic in Melbourne, Australia and to determine whether circumcision and atopy are associated with male genital skin disease. Method This was a retrospective review of 331 new patients who attended the clinic from 2004 to 2012. Descriptive statistics were obtained to determine the frequency of diagnoses made in the clinic and to record the proportions of circumcised and atopic patients. Results The most common primary diagnoses were irritant contact dermatitis (n = 67), dysaesthesia (n = 60), psoriasis (n = 31), lichen sclerosus (n = 28), unknown (n = 19), genital warts (n = 18), normal anatomic variant (n = 17), other infection (n = 17), eczema (n = 16) and lichen planus (n = 16). For the 10 most commonly observed conditions, more than 70% of patients were uncircumcised and more than 69% of these patients had a history of atopy. Conclusions The diagnoses made were described, including their associations with non‐circumcision and atopy. Several of these observations have not been recognised before in the literature. We discuss lessons learned in the management of male genital disease and its psychosocial impact.