title: A survey of dermatological diseases among older male adults of a Veterans Home in Southern Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The dermatologic diseases of the dependent elderly require special attention.
  
  
  METHODS
  This screening and treatment service of dermatological diseases was conducted in a Veterans Home in Southern Taiwan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 337 male residents were screened with mean age 83 years (range 46-99). 271 (80.4 %) residents were in dependent status. Their skin diseases were recorded and the distribution pattern was compared with those in the other studies. Comparing by Chi-square test, scabies, bacterial infection, chronic ulcers, pruritus, and brown spots on the legs were present significantly in certain major systemic diseases, respectively. Higher prevalence of certain skin diseases was related to the severity of disability or major systemic diseases of the residents. Actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancers were early detected and managed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distribution patterns of skin diseases in a Veterans Home were unique. It provides the evidences on appropriate management and key nursing points for dependent elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No. 386, Da-zhong 1st Road, Kaohsiung, 81362, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.forename: Hing-Chung
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Luo-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ger
authors.forename: Chih-Kuang
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Huei-Han
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.forename: Chieh-Shan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans