title: Skin disorders in elderly subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin problems in the elderly population have rarely been the subject of scientific research.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to determine the prevalences of the most common dermatological conditions in elderly subjects and to investigate their associations with systemic diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved a group of 198 consecutive patients aged ≥ 65 years who were admitted to the Departments of Dermatology and Geriatrics at the study institution. All participants were thoroughly evaluated in a clinical interview and physical examination in which special emphasis was placed on dermatological issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All subjects presented at least one dermatological condition. A significant correlation was found between the number of systemic diseases and the number of different skin lesions observed. The most common skin disorders included solar lentigines, senile angiomas, xerosis, seborrheic warts, varicose veins, edema of the lower legs, and pruritus. Patients aged ≥ 75 years demonstrated solar lentigines, edema of the lower legs, clavi, solar keratoses, and onychomycosis significantly more often, whereas patients aged < 75 years suffered more frequently from psoriasis. Diabetes was associated with the development of onychomycosis; hypercholesterolemia promoted the incidence of xanthomas and drug-induced skin reactions; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with senile purpura; and hypothyroidism favored the occurrence of varicose veins in the lower legs and telogen effluvium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin disorders are common in elderly people. Systemic diseases promote the development of dermatological conditions. A comprehensive approach to health problems in elderly subjects requires knowledge of dermatology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Radomir
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reszke
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pełka
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Walasek
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Geriatrics and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Machaj
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004485:Eczema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011537:Pruritus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology