SKIN DISORDERS IN INDO-CHINESE IMMIGRANTS

Objective: To define and assess the relative frequency of the skin disorders which were seen in Indo-Chinese immigrants, and to describe in detail some of the interesting cases encountered. Design: Retrospective review of case records of Indo-Chinese immigrants referred to the Lidcombe Hospital Dermatology Centre between October 1987 and March 1991. Setting: Lidcombe Hospital. Patients: Indo-Chinese immigrants assessed at the Lidcombe Hospital Dermatology Centre. Results: One hundred and ninety patients were identified. The most common categories of skin disorders were disorders of pigmentation, disorders of sebaceous glands, and dermatitides. Disorders not often seen in the non-Indo-Chinese population (e.g., naevus of Ota, cutaneous tuberculosis and primary skin-limited amyloidoses) were also identified. No cutaneous malignant conditions were encountered. Conclusions: Chloasma and acne vulgaris are common dermatological disorders in Indo-Chinese immigrants. Cutaneous malignant diseases do not appear to be common in this population, in contrast to their common occurrence in Caucasian patients.