Prevalence of Geriatric Dermatosis – A Study

Background: Geriatric age is generally taken as the age beyond 65 years. Geriatric skin has a high risk of toxicity due to increased surface area to volume, decreased subcutaneous fat, and high ambient temperature and humidity. Both physiological and pathological changes can occur in this age group. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of geriatric physiological and pathological cutaneous conditions and their management. Materials and methods: The patients above 65 years attending the dermatology OPD at Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad from September 2009 were taken into study to a total of 100 cases Results: Physiological lesions (100) were more common than pathological lesions (37). In our study, senile xerosis (83/100) was the most common condition among physiological conditions and fungal infections (23/100) were more common among pathological conditions. Conclusion: Among geriatric skin conditions, physiological ski conditions were more common manifestations when compared to pathological conditions. Among physiological conditions senile xerosis, senile pruritus and acrochordons were the common manifestations requiring treatment whereas the rest of the conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, cherry angiomas, cutaneous horns, cutis laxa, dermatoheliosis occur rarely.