A Study of Dermatological Diseases in a Geriatric Patients

Abstract

Background: The dermatological problems in the elderly is very common, and can often add to the psychological stress in the geriatric population. Aim of the study: To determine the frequency and the patterns of skin diseases in the elderly patients. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 100 elderly patients who attended the dermatology outpatients department in Benghazi city, from April 2018 to December 2018, females aged 50 years and above and males aged 60 years and above were evaluated for dermatological diseases. Results: Hundred elderly patients were enrolled in the study 68% were females and 32% were males. The inflammatory dermatoses were the commonest findings seen in 60% of patients, cutaneous infections seen in 36% of patients and cutaneous vascular disorders seen in 4% of patients. Eczema was the commonest inflammatory dermatosis seen in 22% of patients, pruritus was seen in 20% of patients. Seborrheic dermatitis was the commonest type of eczema seen in 9% of patients. The various types of cutaneous infections, fungal infections were seen in 15% of patients, bacterial infections seen in 14% of patients and viral infections seen in 7% of patients. Tinea pedis was the commonest seen in 10% of patients. Fungal infections were more common in female patients. Conclusions: Structural and physiological changes in aged skin can produce marked susceptibility to dermatological disorders. The inflammatory dermatosis was the most prevalent skin diseases in the elderly patients, and eczema were the predominant inflammatory dermatosis.