THURSDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is relatively common in dermatology patients, and it is more common in those seeking cosmetic treatments than in other dermatology patients, according to research published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Luciana Archetti Conrado, M.D., of the University of São Paulo Medical School in Brazil, and colleagues conducted a cross sectional study of 300 consecutive dermatology patients, 150 of whom were seeking cosmetic care and 150 seeking general dermatologic care. Fifty control patients were also enrolled. Validated instruments and a best-estimate diagnosis procedure were used to assess for BDD.

The researchers found that the prevalence of BDD in the cosmetic group was 14 percent, compared to a 6.7 percent prevalence in the general dermatology group and a 2 percent prevalence in the control group. The clinical concern of the patient was frequently not the same as the patient's BDD area of concern. The authors noted that patients with BDD in the cosmetic group were often not satisfied with the outcome of their dermatologic care.

"Dermatologists and mental health professionals should work together to properly assist these patients, whose complaint and limitations can be very significant," the authors write.

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