Assessment and Management of Dermatological Issues in Hospitalized Geriatric Patients: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Skin problems, typically overlooked in elderly patients hospitalized for systemic diseases, can no longer be ignored.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the presence and management of dermatological problems in hospitalized elderly patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study involved dermatology consultations for 712 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) hospitalized between October 2022 and October 2023.

RESULTS

The departments that requested the most consultations were physical therapy and rehabilitation (n = 108, 15.2%), internal medicine (n = 64, 9%), and pulmonary disease (n = 52, 7.3%). Consultations were most frequently requested between the seventh and 14th day of hospitalization. The most common reasons for consultation were dermatitis (n = 185; 26%), fungal infections (n = 164; 23%), bacterial infections (n = 54; 7.6%), cutaneous drug reactions (n = 45; 6.3%), and viral infections (n = 44; 6.2%). The most common dermatological diagnoses were xerotic eczema, maculopapular drug eruptions, tinea cruris, tinea ungium, tinea pedis, contact dermatitis, cellulitis, shingles, and xerosis cutis.

CONCLUSION

These results underscore the importance of convenient access to outpatient services for elderly patients and the need for primary healthcare facilities to have staff trained in geriatric dermatology to ensure optimal care for the aging population.