TO STUDY THE SEX SPECIFIC DISTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS DERMATOSES IN THE GERIATRIC POPULATION

Abstract

Background: In aging, a decline in the regular functions of skin is observed, including cell replacement capacity, barrier function, chemical clearance capacity, sensory perception, mechanical protection, wound healing, immune responsiveness, thermoregulation, sweat production, sebum production, vitamin D production, and capacity to repair DNA. As a result, some inevitable changes, such as roughness, wrinkling, and laxity of the skin, and atypical presentations of dermatologic diseases are observed in elderly patients. Methods: Five hundred consecutive patients more than 60 years of age attending the outpatient clinic or admitted as inpatients in the Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy at MDM Hospital, Jodhpur were studied. Results: Of the total of 500 participants in our study, 263 (52.6%) were males and the rest were females. Most common dermatosis noted in the target population was benign tumors, present in 322 patients (64.4%). Second most common disease group affecting the elderly was the infections and infestations group, being present in 215 patients (43%). Infections were present in 195 patients (39%) while infestations were present in 24 patients (4.8%). Four patients presented with infection along with infestation. Conclusion: Males outnumbered females with male to female ratio 1.11:1. The distribution and frequency of various dermatoses varies significantly from country to country and region to region