title: Skin conditions in community-living older adults: prevalence and characteristics of medical care service use.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are considerable gaps in the knowledge of the global epidemiology of skin conditions in the geriatric population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study attempted to (1) determine the frequency of skin conditions, (2) evaluate the agreement between two different data sources of information (self-report versus administrative), and (3) document medical care service use for skin conditions in a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary analysis using data from a longitudinal population-based health survey conducted in Quebec (2005-2008) within a sample of 2,811 community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results highlighted a high prevalence rate of self-reported (13%) and diagnosed skin conditions (21%). Agreement between data sources was low (kappa < 0.20). Most dermatologic-related medical visits were made to dermatologists (almost 60%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The epidemiology of skin conditions in the geriatric population is an under researched field, despite its important prevalence and relevance as a source of information for assessing the health care needs of older adults.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gontijo Guerra
authors.forename: Helen-Maria
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Vasiliadis
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Préville
authors.forename: Djamal
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Berbiche
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy