Clinico-epidemiological profile of pityriasis versicolor among Sudanese patients attending Khartoum dermatology and STI teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: Pityriasis versicolor (PV) is a mild, chronic, superficial fungal infection of the stratum corneum caused by Malassezia species. The condition is common in tropical climates and frequently affects adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to assess the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of PV among Sudanese patients attending a tertiary dermatology hospital.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at Khartoum Dermatology and STI Teaching Hospital over three months (May to July 2020), including 179 Sudanese patients clinically diagnosed with PV and confirmed by potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, clinical features, and associated conditions were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 11.5, with chi-square test for statistical significance at p<0.05.

Results: Young adults aged 20-24 years constituted the largest affected group (32%), with a marked male predominance (73.1%; male-to-female ratio 3:1). Hypopigmented lesions (50%) and patches (68.7%) were the most common clinical patterns, and the back (67.6%), neck (52%), and upper limbs (42%) were the most frequently involved sites. Acne vulgaris (13.5%) and scalp dandruff (3.4%) were the most common dermatological comorbidities. KOH positivity was 86%.

Conclusions: The clinico-epidemiological pattern of PV in Sudan aligns with global findings, with notable variations in age distribution and ethnic prevalence. This study provides updated epidemiological data on PV in the Sudanese population after several decades, contributing to a better understanding of the disease profile in this region.