Characterization of skin lesions by dermatoscopy at the Las Tunas provincial general hospital, Cuba

Abstract

Introduction: dermoscopy has been widely used for the diagnosis of skin lesions at the Las Tunas Provincial General Hospital for several years, but studies are needed to demonstrate the results of its clinical application.

Objective: to characterize skin lesions using dermoscopy in patients seen in the Dermatology Clinic of the Hospital General Docente “Dr. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna” in Las Tunas, Cuba, from 2022 to 2024.

Method: an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and prospective study was conducted. The sample consisted of 367 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The study variables were: malignancy, pigmentation, dermoscopic patterns, clinical and histopathological diagnosis. Percentage analysis and positivity rate were performed with respect to the dermatoscopic and histopathological diagnosis, considering PI ≥85%. Cohen's kappa index was determined to determine the degree of agreement between both techniques.

Results: basal carcinoma was highlighted as malignant and non-pigmented (22.62%), scabies predominated among benign lesions (15.53%), and seborrheic keratoses predominated among pigmented lesions (14.44%). Shiny reddish-white areas predominated in basal carcinoma (17.71%). Moth-eaten edges were found in seborrheic keratoses (9.81 5). Histopathological examination was required in 63.49% of patients. There was agreement between dermoscopy and histopathology (IP=97.85), with good concordance between both techniques (KC=0.96).

Conclusions: dermoscopy in patients with different dermatoses allows for a more precise diagnosis and early detection of malignant lesions, with a positive impact on their prognosis.