Geriatric Dermatoses In Southern Orissa

Abstract

Two hundred geriatric patients, aged 55 years and above, studied at Medical College, Berhampur accounted for 3% of Skin & VD OPD attendance with a male preponderance (M: F: 4:1). Majority (97%) of these patients were literate, 55% belonged to low socio-economic group. Among them 32.5% of males were farmers and all females were housewives. Forty-nine dermatologic diseases were encountered, twenty-nine patients presented with multiple complaints and the rest had single complaint. Pruritus was the commonest symptom (54%), 41.5% of which was associated with different dermatoses and the rest 12.5% with senile xerosis. Fungal infection was the commonest dermatosis. Senile xerosis (12.5%), seborrhoeic keratosis (10%), psoriasis (9%), idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis (6.5%), malignant and premalignant conditions (5%), vitiligo (3.5%) and lichen planus (3%) were some of the other dermatoses seen. Diabetes was the commonest systemic disease (10.5%).