Incidence of cutaneous warts: A retrospective study in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Human papilloma virus (HPV) causes cutaneous warts, a common and benign skin condition. Despite the extensive research on HPV, few studies have explicitly examined cutaneous warts, especially in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with cutaneous warts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from medical records of patients who attended dermatology clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), from 2011 to 2022. It included sociodemographic variables, including age, nationality, and sex, comorbidities, and diagnosis date. Additionally, wart location and treatment methods were collected. 160 patients were diagnosed with various types of warts. Most of which were between 15-29 years of age. The majorities of participants were female, and most were Saudi nationals. In those participants, diabetes was the most common comorbidity and the highest percentage of cases diagnosed with warts was in 2018. The palmer region was the most common location for warts. Warts in the genital area were significantly associated with those between 33 and 44 years of age. The remaining age groups had a significant higher percent of palmar warts.