Dermatological manifestations in the elderly: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Aging is mainly due to chronic interaction between extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The elderly population is highly vulnerable to skin diseases due to immunosenescence, polypharmacy, chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and inadequate nutrition. Objectives: (1) To estimate the prevalence of dermatological manifestation in the elderly population. (2) Clinico-pathological correlation of the cutaneous tumors seen in the study population. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 elderly patients (above 60 years) who attended the outpatient department and inpatients of a tertiary care hospital, were recruited for the study, during a 1 year period (2019–2020). Patient demographics, brief history, and clinical examination were done. Relevant laboratory investigations, including side laboratory procedures and skin biopsy were done when necessary. Results: Most of the patients were between 65 and 70 years, 175 were male and 125 were female. Type-2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension had equal incidence. Dermatophyte infection was the most common presentation, followed by eczema, papulosquamous, and auto-immune bullous disorders. Nail changes were observed in 50% of the patients. Among those who had drug reactions, 50% had drug hypersensitivity syndrome to anti-tubercular drugs. Malignancies, including basal cell carcinoma, were not uncommon. Alcohol, sunlight, and the male gender were associated with an increased risk of wrinkling. Conclusion: Health education programs regarding skin disorders and preventive measures in the geriatric population will help improve their quality of life.

Keywords

• dermatological manifestations
• elderly
• geriatric
• malignancy