Dermatoses in the Elderly: Clinico-Demographic Profile at a Tertiary Care Center GEMS, Ragolu, Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Over the last few decades, the quality of life improved in different parts of the world and in our country. As a result of this, more number of older people as alive these days. By 2025, the world will host around 1.2 billion people aged 60 years aged 60 years and above and the number may rise up to 1.9 billion by the year 2050. The health problems in the elderly are usually multiple and are often masked by sensory and cognitive impairments, which may contribute to a worsening of mortality and morbidity. Methods: Our study was a Hospital-based Cross-sectional Observational study done in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprosy at Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital Ragolu,Srikakulam,Andhra Pradesh,India for a period of two years. In this study, a total of 150 patients were taken with age 65 years and above who attended to the OPD within a period of January 2019 to December 2020. Written informed consent was taken from all the patients included in the study. A complete history was taken followed by clinical examination, complete general, physical and systemic examinations. Results: Out of 150 patients studied, 114(76%) were males, and 36(24%) were females. In our study, the single most common symptom was Generalized pruritus, present in 86(57.33%) patients. The most common physiological change seen in the elderly was rhytides (wrinkling), seen in 121 (81%) patients. The most common hair change seen in our study was Greying of hair in 99(66%) patients and the most common nail finding seen in our study was ridging of nails, in 78 (52%) patients. The most common pathological change seen, in our study was Eczema(Dermatitis) which was noticed in 43 (28.6%) patients, of which photodermatitis being the most common eczematous condition.Conclusion: The present study reveals that skin problems are quite common among the elderly. They develop a wide variety of physiological and pathological skin changes. Thorough knowledge of physiologic and pathologic skin changes in the geriatric population can strengthen the dermatologist's hand in managing such cases.