Characteristics of patients with tinea capitis at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Central General Hospital from 2020 to 2024

Abstract

Background: Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection of the scalp common in prepubertal children and can lead to alopecia. Retrospective studies are needed to describe the demographics, clinical profile, and treatment to improve prevention and management. Data for this study were obtained from patient medical records at RSUP Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Denpasar for the period 2020–2024. Objective: To determinan the characteristics of patients with tinea capitis at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Central General Hospital Denpasar for the period 2020-2024. Methods: This study was a descriptive observational cross-sectional study using medical record data of patients treated at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Central General Hospital Denpasar during 2020-2024. Based on the selection results according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41 samples were analyzed. Results: Among the 41 samples analyzed, most of patients were 5-9 years old (57,4%). Cases were more frequent in females (58.5%) than males (41.5%). The most common clinical type was grey patch (21 cases; 51.2%). Wood’s lamp examination most often showed green fluorescence (29.3%); ectothrix spores were observed in 39.0% of cases. The most frequent dermoscopic finding was broken hair (17.1%). The predominant risk factor was pet ownership, present in 12 patients (29.3%). The dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum had the highest isolation rate among dermatophytes (26.8%). Combination therapy with systemic and topical agents was administered to 40 patients (97.6%). Conclusion: The characteristics of patients with tinea capitis at RSUP Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Denpasar during 2020–2024 indicate the disease most commonly affects prepubertal children, is dominated by the grey patch clinical type, and Trichophyton rubrum is the most frequent causative agent. The majority of patients received combination therapy.