Association of Systemic Diseases with Cutaneous Dermatosis in Elderly Population: Preliminary Observation at a Rural Tertiary Care Centre

INTRODUCTION: Aging population is susceptible to many cutaneous and systemic diseases, simultaneously leading to impairment of quality of life in them. AIM: To know the association of dermatosis and systemic diseases in geriatric age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried on patients above 60 years of age who visited the Dermatology OPD at rural tertiary care centre from June 2009 to May 2010. Patients were assessed on a prescribed 30 point proforma. RESULTS: Total 457 geriatric patients with dermatosis were registered under the study, of these 203 patients had one or more systemic diseases. Hypertension (70.9%) was the commonest disease, followed by diabetes (32.5%). Eczema was commonest dermatosis in patients with hypertension and generalized pruritus in diabetes. CONCLUSION: Skin diseases cause considerable morbidity in elderly, particularly if associated with other comorbid conditions, so health promotion and education can do much to reduce the risk.