A CLINICOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS IN GERIATRIC AGE GROUP.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Thakur Rajeev Singh,
#17-1-391/s/581,
Singareni Colony,
Opposite Vaidehi Ashram,
Sayeedabad, Hyderabad-500059,
Telangana.
E-mail: drrajeevsinghthakur@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND 

Ageing is a complex process that is due to accumulation of molecular damage overtime. Ageing skin is susceptible to dermatological disorders due to structural and physiological changes that occur as a result of intrinsic or extrinsic ageing. The present study was undertaken to describe the frequency and clinical pattern of cutaneous manifestations in elderly population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This descriptive study was carried on elderly, aged above 60 years. A total of 200 patients were included in the study.

RESULTS

In this descriptive study, wrinkling of skin was the most common finding followed by xerosis among skin changes associated with ageing. Among pathological skin changes, eczematous skin condition was the most common. Among infections, fungal infections was the most common followed by bacterial and viral. Among papulosquamous disorders psoriasis was the most common and among tumours cherry angioma was the most common.

CONCLUSION

With ageing, there are so many cutaneous changes that it becomes difficult to delineate physiological from pathological changes. Intrinsic physiological changes in epidermis, dermis vasculature and skin appendages by themselves cause most of the changes.

KEYWORDS

Ageing, Intrinsic, Extrinsic, Cutaneous Changes.