The purpose of a new study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology was to determine the prevalence of dermatological conditions in elderly patients attending outpatient department; to determine the pattern and relative frequency of skin diseases; and find the relation with associated comorbidities.

This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 250 patients, aged ≥60 years. 

Overall, 164 males (65.5%) and 86 females (34.4%) were evaluated, of mean age 67.87 ± 7.29 years. The commonest disease category was infection (30%), followed by dermatitis (29.6%), papulo-squamous (18.4%) and immunobullous (6.4%). Difference in acute and chronic disease was significant; while 50.66% of the participants had fungal infections; 32% had bacterial; and 17.33% had viral. Whereas, 29.6% of study population were detected with dermatitis. The commonest systemic disease was hypertension, followed by diabetes mellitus. Association of diabetes mellitus was significant—more in infective dermatoses. Meanwhile, all patients showed signs of aging – idiopathic guttatehypomelanosis (51.2%), xerosis (45.2%), seborrheic keratosis (42.6%), cherry angioma (33.2%), and senile acne (6.6%). Photoaging was noted as wrinkling in 98.8%; freckles in 35.6%; purpura in 10.8%; and telangiectasia in 5.6%. In addition, people involved in outdoor activity had higher sun sensitivity (Glogau scale) compared to those indoors.

The findings denoted illustrated the disease pattern and extent of geriatric dermatoses among patients attending dermatology OPD of a tertiary care hospital, in Eastern India.

Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology. Jan-Feb 2021;66(1):74-80. doi: 10.4103/ijd.IJD_245_20.