[Skin diseases in the elderly: a multicentre Tunisian study].
BACKGROUND
With progressive aging of populations, geriatric health care has become a major international issue for health authorities. However, little data is available about geriatric skin diseases. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of skin disorders among elderly patients seen in private and public skin outpatient clinics in Tunis.


METHODS
We performed a prospective, multicentre and descriptive study of all new skin diseases diagnosed in dermatological outpatients aged over 65 years. This study lasted one year (June 1999 to July 2000) and evaluated the activity of eleven Tunisian dermatologists in private or public practice, who collated all cases of skin diseases diagnosed in their practices.


RESULTS
A total of 1518 patients with 1550 new diagnoses were examined. Mean age was 72.6 years with a sex M/F -ratio of 1.41. Fungal infections were the most common conditions (16.9%), followed by tumors 12.8% (benign 63.3%), eczema (11.9%), keratinization anomalies (8.7%), bacterial infections (8.7%), viral infections (6.8%) and pruritus (6.4%). Fungal infections were mainly represented by toe-web intertrigo and onychomycosis. Basal cell carcinoma and epidermoid cysts were the most common malignant and benign tumors respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This study reflects the frequency of mycoses, benign tumors and eczema in elderly patients. This is consistent with the results of other studies of the literature showing eczema as the predominant skin disease. The high prevalence of mycosis in our study may be explained by climatic conditions (heat, moisture). Pruritus seems to be frequent in geriatric patients. Skin disorders are an important source of morbidity in elderly patients.
Souissi
A
A
Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Charles Nicolle, Tunis, Tunisia. amel_souissi@yahoo.fr
Zeglaoui
F
F
El Fekih
N
N
Fazaa
B
B
Zouari
B
B
Kamoun
M R
MR
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology