Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Viral Warts in University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Warts are benign epidermal neoplasms resulting from infection with human papilloma viruses.

Aim and Objective: To determine the clinico- epidemiological profile of patients with warts.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria. All patients with warts that attended the dermatology clinic from June 2013 to June 2020 were included. Data of the patients were searched for detailed history, complete cutaneous, systemic examinations and retroviral screening. Analysis was done using Microsoft excel, 2013 software.

Results: One hundred and eighteen (118) patients were clinically diagnosed with viral warts during the study period. 36 (30.51%) had genital warts while 82 (69.49%) had non-genital warts. Males were more affected than females and the mean age at presentation was 25.04 years. The most common type of warts seen in children and adults was common warts. High risk behaviours was noted in 85% of patients with genital warts.

Conclusion: Common warts were the most common warts with male preponderance. The head and neck were the most common site, but the extremities were more common in children. Patients in the second decade of life were mostly affected with majority concerned about the cosmetic appearance.