Skin Disorders in Elderly Subjects

The study on 198 patients over 65 years old revealed that every participant had at least one skin condition, with a higher number of systemic diseases correlating with more skin lesions. Common conditions included solar lentigines, senile angiomas, xerosis, seborrheic warts, varicose veins, lower leg edema, and pruritus. Patients over 75 were more prone to certain conditions like solar lentigines and onychomycosis, while those under 75 had a higher incidence of psoriasis. Links were found between systemic diseases like diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypothyroidism with specific skin disorders. The study emphasized the importance of integrating dermatological care into the overall healthcare for the elderly due to the prevalence of skin disorders and their association with systemic diseases. Solar lentigines were particularly prevalent at 83.8%, and other common conditions included senile angiomas, seborrheic warts, and xerosis. Malignant skin neoplasms were found in 17.7% of patients, with basal cell carcinoma being the most frequent. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive health management in the elderly, considering the commonality of skin disorders and their potential indication of systemic diseases.