Clinical epidemiology and management outcome of non-genital cutaneous viral warts

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to profile the epidemiology of non-genital cutaneous viral warts in our population and compare the effectiveness of topical salicylic acid treatment with surgical ablation.

Methodology: This quasi-experimental study was conducted at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Islamabad, spanning seven years. The study encompassed all patients with non-genital cutaneous viral warts, excluding cases of genital/mucosal warts and immunocompromised individuals. Primary outcome measure was lesion clinical resolution, with secondary measures including side effects and recurrence within a year.

Results: Among 214 patients, 165 (77.10%) were males, and 49 (22.89%) were females, aged 5-51 years (mean age: 17.83±8.88 years). Adults (n=146; 68.23%) exceeded pediatric cases (n=68; 31.77%). Predominant wart types were palmoplantar (n=99; 46.26%), common (n=86; 40.18%), periungual (n=13; 6.07%), filiform (n=9; 4.20%), and verruca plana (n=7; 3.27%). Affected sites included hands/upper limbs (n=104; 48.59%), feet/lower limbs (n=74; 34.57%), face/head (n=17; 7.94%), neck (n=13; 6.07%), and trunk (n=6; 2.80%). Most patients (n=166; 77.57%) were students, followed by housewives (n=35; 16.35%), shopkeepers (n=7; 3.27%), and office workers (n=6; 2.80%).

Conclusion: Palmoplantar and common warts constituted the commonest morphological subtypes. Majority of the sufferers were students. Treatment with topical Salicylic acid was associated with higher rates of treatment failure, adverse events as well as recurrence after successful treatment. On the contrary, surgical ablation was associated with higher rates of successful treatment as well as lesser recurrence rates.