Skin Disorders Among Geriatric Population at a Tertiary Care Center in Uttarakhand
WC06-WC08
Correspondence
Dr. Rashmi Jindal,
Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy,
Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Ram Nagar, Doiwala, Dehradun-248140, India.
E-mail: rashmijindal98@gmail.com
Introduction: Ageing results in decline of normal functioning in all organ systems including skin. This predisposes the elderly persons to develop various skin ailments. A thorough knowledge of different diseases prevalent in this population in different geographic regions help the health care providers in better health care policy making.
Aim: This study was planned to know the common dermatological diseases prevalent in Uttarakhand region of India.
Materials and Methods: Hospital out patients records maintained in Department of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprosy were analysed and information regarding age, sex and diagnosis of patients were recorded. Descriptive statistics for prevalence of skin diseases in patients presenting to hospital were calculated.
Results: Out of the total 29,422 patients seen in dermatology department from August 2012 to 2014, 4.7% (1,380) were aged 60 years and above. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Erythemato-squamous disorders taken collectively constituted the major skin disorder seen in 38.9% patients. This was followed by infections and infestations (29.9%), senile pruritus (9.0%) and age related skin changes (3.7%). Benign neoplasms were seen in 1.1% patients followed by cutaneous malignancies in 0.8% and precancerous lesions in 0.4%. Fungal infections were the most common infections seen in 18% patients.
Conclusion: This study strengthens the opinion that infections, senile pruritus and eczema-dermatitis are the major dermatological disorders in elderly population.