Abstract: Background: Knowledge of epidemiological data on skin diseases is important in planning preventive strategies in healthcare services. Objective: To assess data from patients admitted to a triage dermatology clinic. Methods: A retrospective study was performed of patients admitted over a one-year period to the Triage Dermatology Clinic at the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School. Data were obtained from record books. The variables analyzed were: patient age, gender, dermatologic disease (initial diagnosis), origin (from where the patient was referred) and destination (where the patient was referred to). Results: A total of 16,399 patients and 17,454 diseases were identified for analysis. The most frequent skin disorders were eczema (18%), cutaneous infections (13.1%), erythematous squamous diseases (6.8%) and malignant cutaneous neoplasms (6.1%). Atopic dermatitis was the most common disease in children. Acne was more common among children and adults, as were viral warts. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were more common in the elderly. Contact dermatitis and acne predominated in women. The most frequent origins were: the primary/secondary health system (26.6%), other outpatient specialties (25.5%), emergency care (14.9%); while the destinations were: discharged (27.5%), follow-up in our Dermatology Division (24.1%), return (14.1%) and the primary/secondary health system (20.7%). Conclusion: Understanding the incidence of skin diseases is fundamental in making decisions regarding resource allocation for clinical care and research. Thus, we believe our findings can contribute to improving public health policies.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos, fatores de prognóstico e porcentagem de evolução dos casos de plasmocitoma para mieloma múltiplo. MATERIAS E MÉTODOS: Foram levantados 103 prontuários do Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP, entre os anos de 1950 e 1998. Destes, 73 não foram utilizados por perda de seguimento ou por apresentarem diagnóstico diferente de plasmocitoma. RESULTADOS: Concluímos que a idade dos pacientes que evoluíram para mieloma múltiplo é inferior a dos pacientes que não evoluíram. A média do primeiro grupo foi de 52,3 ± 2,6 anos e a do segundo 62,6 ± 3,4 anos (média ± SEM; p=0,02). Não houve diferença estatística quanto ao sexo. Analisando pacientes com plasmocitoma que evoluiu para mieloma múltiplo, foi observada uma incidência maior de recidivas múltiplas (75%, p=0,049). Em ambos os grupos houve predominância de lesões da coluna vertebral. Não houve nenhuma diferença significativa entre os grupos com relação ao tempo de doença (desde o aparecimento dos sintomas até o diagnóstico) (p=0,20) e à sobrevida (p=0,34). Quanto ao tempo de evolução de plasmocitoma para mieloma, a média foi de 41 meses (DP=38,8), com uma taxa de evolução aproximadamente igual a 57%. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes que evoluíram para mieloma múltiplo são mais jovens. Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois grupos quanto ao sexo, tempo de doença e tempo de sobrevida. Em ambos os grupos a localização anatômica mais acometida foi a coluna vertebral. O tempo médio de evolução para mieloma múltiplo foi de 41 meses. Não foi possível calcular os fatores que influem na sobrevida dos pacientes com plasmocitoma e dos pacientes com plasmocitoma que evoluiu para mieloma múltiplo.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical aspects, diagnoses, prognostic factors, and percent progression of plasmacytoma to multiple myeloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 103 medical records of patients suspected of plasmacytoma were surveyed covering the period between 1950 and 1998, and 30 were selected for analysis. Patients were classified into 2 groups: patients who did (n = 17) and did not (n = 13) progress to multiple myeloma. Comparative statistics regarding a variety of clincial aspects were developed. RESULTS: Patients who progressed to multiple myeloma were younger than those who did not (52.3 ± 2.6 vs 62.6 ± 3.4 years; mean ± SEM; P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in gender between groups. A higher incidence of multiple recurrence was observed in patients who progressed to multiple myeloma (75%, P = 0.049). Both groups showed a prevalence of vertebral column injuries. No significant differences were found between groups regarding the disease period (from the onset of symptoms until diagnosis) (P = 0.20) and survival (P = 0.34). The average time to progression from plasmacytoma to myeloma was 41 ± 39 months (mean ± SD), and the progression rate was 57%. CONCLUSION: Patients who progressed to multiple myeloma were younger than those who did not. No significant differences were found between groups regarding sex, time from symptom onset to diagnosis, and survival time. In both groups, the most affected anatomic location was the vertebral column, and most affected sex was male. The average time to progression to multiple myeloma was 41 months. It was not possible to determine the factors that influenced the survival of patients with plasmacytoma or for those who progressed to multiple myeloma.