Cutaneous manifestations of endocrine-metabolic disease and nutritional deficiency in the elderly

The 2003 study "Cutaneous manifestations of endocrine-metabolic disease and nutritional deficiency in the elderly" investigated skin symptoms of various endocrine-metabolic diseases and nutritional deficiencies in elderly individuals. Diabetes mellitus was found to affect over 16 million people, with 25% of adults aged 65 to 74 diagnosed in some ethnic groups. Other conditions discussed included thyroid disorders, adrenal dysfunction, pituitary disorders, parathyroid disease, nutritional deficiencies, menopause, and HIV. The study highlighted the importance of recognizing skin dysfunction as a diagnostic clue. Conditions like Cushing's disease, Addison's disease, hypopituitarism, hyperpituitarism, and parathyroid diseases were associated with specific skin changes. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly of vitamin C, niacin, and zinc, could lead to skin conditions. Vitamin deficiencies could result in skin lesions and impaired wound healing. Menopause significantly impacted the skin, causing issues like skin atrophy, dryness, alopecia, and easily traumatized skin, which could be reversed with oral estrogen replacement therapy. Early HIV symptoms in the elderly could be nonspecific and misattributed to normal aging or other diseases.