Selection of Antidepressants in Geriatric Dermatoses: A Questionnaire Study of Dermatologists in Western Rajasthan, India

In a questionnaire study conducted with 93 dermatologists in Western Rajasthan, India, it was found that 25-50% of elderly patients had psycho-cutaneous disturbances, with dermatophyte infections, lichen simplex chronicus, and prurigo being common. Doxepin was the most prescribed antidepressant by 51.9% of dermatologists, followed by SSRIs at 35.8%, and amitriptyline at 12.3%. The study underscored the necessity of mental health evaluation in geriatric dermatology and suggested that these findings could aid in providing cost-effective treatments and refining guidelines. Dermatologists often collaborated with psychiatrists for patient management. The study's limitations included its small sample size and focus on a single region, indicating the need for more extensive research.