Pattern of skin diseases in the elderly seen at the National Skin Centre (Singapore) 1990

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted at the National Skin Centre (Singapore) for the period 1st January 1990 to 31st December 1990 to determine the pattern of skin disorders in the elderly. A total of 2,571 patients aged 65 years and above were studied. This constituted 6.4% (2,571/39,941) of patients seen at the Centre for that year. 38.1% of the elderly patients were aged 75 years or older. The male to female ratio was 1.3 to 1. There were differences in the pattern of skin problems when compared with the young. Xerosis and asteatotic eczema were distinctly common in the elderly. The most common dermatosis in the elderly was eczema. Endogenous eczema (including seborrhoeic dermatitis, lichen simplex chronicus, hand/feet eczema, stasis eczema, generalised exfoliative dermatitis), exogenous eczema (ie contact dermatitis) and dermatitis (not otherwise specified) formed 35.3% (907/2,571) of the skin disorders encountered at the National Skin Centre. Eczema, fungal, viral infections and psoriasis were on the whole less common in the elderly compared with the general population. Common skin infestations and infections were scabies, viral warts, monilial and bacterial intertrigo and tinea corporis. Urticaria, alopecia, insect bite reactions and post-inflammatory pigmentation were uncommon referral problems in the elderly.