Dermatological diseases in the geriatric age group: Retrospective analysis of 7092 patients.

AIM

The aim of the present study was to retrospectively investigate the dermatological diseases seen in geriatric patients, and their distribution according to age, sex and season, making a significant contribution to the few previous prevalence studies.

METHODS

Data from 7092 geriatric patients examined at our dermatology clinic from 1 January to 31 December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The data were analyzed according to age, sex and seasons.

RESULTS

The seven most frequently occurring diseases were eczematous dermatitis, fungal infections, pruritus, precancerous and malignant neoplasm, xerosis cutis, benign neoplasms, and papulosquamous diseases, respectively. In the youngest group, the most frequent disease was eczematous dermatitis, whereas in the older group it was precancerous and malignant neoplasms. The most common disease for both men and women was eczematous dermatitis. Eczematous dermatitis, pruritus, xerosis cutis, rash and general drug eruptions, and papulosquamous diseases were most frequent in the winter, but less in the summer (P < 0.01). Fungal diseases were frequent in the spring and summer (P < 0.01). Pigmentation disorders were frequent in the summer (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study, which is the largest prevalence study in the literature with 7092 geriatric patients, will raise awareness regarding the pattern and nature of dermatological diseases in geriatric patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 582-585.