title: A survey of self-reported skin disease in the elderly African-American population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the USA, the geriatric population, almost 12% of which will be comprised of African-Americans, is expected to exceed 88 million by 2050. Data on dermatologic conditions in elderly African-Americans are deficient.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify prevalences of self-reported skin disease and skin-related concerns in elderly African-Americans, and to assess participants' perceptions of skin disease and awareness of skin cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elderly African-Americans were recruited into a cross-sectional study and asked to complete a 17-item questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 101 participants aged 60-91 years (median age: 71 years) completed the questionnaire. The majority (75.2%) of the subjects were female. The most common self-reported skin diseases were eczema/dermatitis (28.7%), fungal skin infections (16.8%), alopecia (6.9%), viral skin infections (4.9%), and urticaria (4.9%). The most common skin concerns were dry skin/pruritus (40.6%), moles (27.7%), hair loss (25.7%), skin discoloration (20.8%), and wrinkles (15.8%). Overall, 40.6% of participants reported concern about skin cancer, and 75.2% reported examining their skin regularly. However, 34.7% did not believe that people with darker skin types should be concerned about skin cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides an important overview of the most common self-reported skin conditions in elderly African-Americans. Substantial age-related differences in the frequencies of skin disorders were apparent. It is important to include the elderly population within campaigns to educate minority group members on skin cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dearborn, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Caretti
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dearborn, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Darius R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mehregan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dearborn, MI, USA.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mehregan
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population