Authors : Raghavendra B N, Rajesh G
DOI : 10.18231/j.ijced.2020.014
Volume : 6
Issue : 1
Year : 2020
Page No : 62-66
Introduction: Dermatological problems in the geriatric population are common and often underestimated.
A few studies are available on the dermatologic diseases in this population. Hence, this study is undertaken
to evaluate the spectrum of skin changes in the elderly population.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Sri Devaraj Urs
Medical College, attached to RL Jalappa Hospital, Kolar, Karnataka, India. A total of 300 patients were
recruited for this study, among them 185 (61.6 %) were males and 115 (38.4%) were females. All the
patients aged more than 60 years with skin disorders attending the dermatology OPD were included in
the study. A detailed physical and clinical examination was performed for all the study subjects. Patients
with genodermatoses, albinism, premature aging and inherited disorders of DNA which may interfere with
chronological aging skin were excluded from the study.
Results: Out of 300 patients, 185 cases (61.6%) were males and 115 cases (38.4%) were females. Pruritus
was the commonest complaint in 186 patients (62%). Among the chronological changes of aged skin,
wrinkling was the commonest manifestation observed in 282 (94%) cases. The most commonly observed
diseases were eczematous dermatitis in 133 (44.3%) cases, followed by infections and infestations in 122
(40.6%) and papulo-squamous diseases in 33 (11%). A total of 46 (15.3%) patients were found to have
papulo-squamous disorders. Psoriasis vulgaris was observed in 21 (7%) cases. Among premalignant and
malignant disorders, 4 (1.3%) cases had actinic chelitis, 2 (0.6%) cases of basal cell carcinoma and 1 (0.3%)
case of squamous cell carcinoma. A total of 5 patients had connective tissue disorders. The comorbid
conditions included hypertension in 49 (16.3%) cases, followed by diabetes mellitus in 31 (10.3%) and 5
(1.6%) patients had hypothyroidism.
Conclusion: Dermatological findings in geriatric population are universal and cause considerable
morbidity. This would necessitate the need for conducting an exclusive evaluation for these patients.
Keywords: Eczematous dermatitis, Geriatric population, Pruritus, Skin disease.