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.
}, year = {2016}, journal = {Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR}, volume = {10}, pages = {WC06-8}, issn = {2249-782X}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4843367/pdf/jcdr-10-WC06.pdf}, doi = {10.7860/JCDR/2016/17015.7500}, language = {eng}, }