Clinical Pattern of Dermatological Diseases in Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study From Central India.

Introduction Geriatric dermatology, a growing subspecialty within dermatology, addresses the unique skin health challenges faced by the elderly population. The aging process stimulates a wide range of dermatological changes, which can be classified into intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The interplay between systemic diseases and skin health in geriatric patients highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. Thus, the present study was planned in order to explore the patterns of dermatological diseases in geriatric patients as well as to determine the association of dermatological diseases with systemic diseases. Materials and methods This was a hospital-based cross-sectional design to examine the clinical patterns of dermatological diseases in geriatric patients. Conducted over 18 months (2022-2023) in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Leprology at a tertiary care center in Central India, the study included patients aged 60 years and above who attended the outpatient department (OPD). A total of 482 patients were enrolled using consecutive sampling, where all eligible patients during the study period who provided informed consent were included. Results Eczemas were the most prevalent condition (100 patients, 20.74%), with a higher prevalence in males (67, 23.8%) than in females (33, 16.5%; p = 0.065). Fungal infections were also more frequent in males (44, 15.6%) compared to females (16, 8.0%; p = 0.014), while contact dermatitis was significantly higher in females (31, 15.5%; p < 0.001). Age-related trends showed eczemas peaking in the 80-89 age group (eight, 28.6%), while malignancies were more prevalent in the 70-79 age group (four, 3%; p = 0.031). Systemic diseases such as hypertension (86, 17.8%) and diabetes mellitus (50, 10.4%) were linked to dermatological conditions, with eczemas (15, 17.4%) and fungal infections (12, 24% in diabetics) being particularly associated. Conclusion This study highlights the significant interplay between dermatological conditions and systemic diseases in geriatric patients, with notable gender and age-specific variations. Integrated, multidisciplinary approaches are essential to address the unique dermatological and systemic health needs of the elderly population.