Study of clinical patterns and frequency of cutaneous manifestations in the elderly
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20190065Keywords:
Elderly, Wrinkling, Benign tumours, Eczema, Infections, InfestationsAbstract
Background: Cutaneous manifestations are common in elderly. The elderly population is composed of persons over 60 years of age and very few studies are available on the dermatologic diseases in this group. This study was done to study the clinical pattern and frequency of cutaneous manifestations in the elderly.
Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted on 540 patients, aged 60 years and above, who attended the out-patient department and admitted as inpatients having cutaneous manifestations were included, in the department of dermatology Era’s Lucknow Medical College And Hospital, Lucknow. A detailed history was taken regarding the onset and duration of cutaneous manifestations. Thorough dermatological examination was carried out on all study patients. Relevant investigations which included haemogram, biochemical tests and a skin biopsy were performed, wherever needed. Skin changes in all the patients were recorded and were classified into physiological and pathological changes. Data were entered in an Excel sheet and were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Out of 540 patients studied, 55.7% were males and 44.3% were females. Pruritus was the single most common complaint elicited (90.6%). Among the physiological changes, wrinkling was the commonest (80.9%). Among the pathological changes skin tumours, eczemas, infections were the common findings.
Conclusions: The geriatric dermatoses are different in different populations, as there is significant number of geriatric population, the increased emphasis on geriatric medicine is inevitable. This present study helps in providing greater understanding of pattern of geriatric dermatoses that aids in early diagnosis and management.
References
Blume-Peytavi U, Kottner J, Sterry W, Hodin MW, Griffiths TW, Watson RE, et al. Age-associated skin conditions and diseases: current perspectives and future options. The Gerontologist. 2016;56(2):230-42.
Lewis CB. Aging: The health-care challenge. In: FA Davis, editors. 2002.
World health organization. South East Asia. Programs and project. 2016. Available at: http://www.searo.who.int/entity/health_situation_trends/data/chi/elderly-population/en/. Accessed on 14 October 2016.
Rajan SI, Sarma PS, Mishra US. Demography of Indian aging, 2001-2051. J Aging Social Policy. 2003;15(2-3):11-30
Jafferany M, Huynh TV, Silverman MA, Zaidi Z. Geriatric dermatoses: a clinical review of skin diseases in an aging population. International J Dermatol. 2012;51(5):509-22.
Fenske NA, Lober CW. Aging and its effects on the skin. Moschella. In: Hurley HJ, eds. Dermatology. 1992: 107-122.
Jiamton S, Leeyaphan C, Prasertworonun N, Omcharoen V. Skin diseases among elderly attending out-patient dermatologic clinic, siriraj hospital. Siriraj Med J. 2017;66(6):219-24.
Talukdar K, Mitra D. A cross sectional observational study to evaluate various cutaneous manifestations in geriatic age group. Int J Med Res Rev. 2016;4(2):186-92.
Raveendra L. A Clinical Study of geriatric dermatoses. Dermatologia Online. 2014;5(3).
Jindal R, Jain A, Roy S, Rawat SD, Bhardwaj N. Skin disorders among geriatric population at a tertiary care center in Uttarakhand. J Clin Diagn Res. 2016;10(3):6.
Sheethal MP, Shashikumar BM. A cross-sectional study on the dermatological conditions among the elderly population in Mandya city. Int J Med Sci Public Health. 2015;4(4):467-70.
Droller H. Dermatologic findings in a random sample of old persons. Geriatrics. 1955;10(9):421.
Durai PC, Thappa DM, Kumari R, Malathi M. Aging in elderly: chronological versus photoaging. Indian J Dermatol. 2012;57(5):343.
Dhumale SB, Khyalappa R. Study of cutaneous manifestations in geriatrics. International J Res Med Sci. 2016;4(5):1343-6.
Beauregard S, Gilchrest BA. A survey of skin problems and skin care regimens in the elderly. Arch Dermatol. 1987;123(12):1638-43.
Patange SV, Fernandez RJ. A study of geriatric dermatoses. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 1995;61(4):206.
Tindall JP, Smith J. Skin lesions of the aged and their association with internal changes. JAMA. 1963;186(12):1039-42.
Copra A, Kullar J, Chopra D, et al. Cutaneous physiological and pathological changes in elderly. Indian J of Dermatol Venerol Leprol. 2000;66(5):274.
Grover S, Narasimhalu CV. A clinical study of skin changes in geriatric population. Indian J of Dermatol Venerol Leprol. 2009 May 1;75(3):305-.
Verbov J. Skin problems in the older patient. Practitioner. 1975;215(1289):612.
Weismann K, Krakauer R, Wanscher B. Prevalence of skin diseases in old age. Acta Dermato-Venereologica. 1980;60(4):352-3.
Johnson MTL. Ageing of United States population. In: Gilchrest BA, ed. Dermatology clinics: The Ageing Skin. 1986: 371-378.