A Clinical Study of Dermatologic Diseases in Elderly Patients

Yoon, Na Young; Hong, Seung Phil; Jeon, Soo Young; Shin, Ji Soo; Ahn, Sung Ku

Abstract

BACKGROUND
According to developments in socioeconomic status and medical science, the population of aged individuals has significantly increased. Therefore, this group needs a fundamental epidemiologic survey of dermatologic diseases.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dermatologic diseases in the elderly and to compare with those of previous studies.
METHODS
729 out-patients over 65 years of age who had visited the Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University Wonju Christian Hospital from January, 2004 to December, 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
The elderly group over 65 years of age accounted for 9.7% of all new patients (729/7,532 cases). The ratio of males to females was 1 to 0.99 (366 cases : 363 cases). Patients between 65 and 69 years of age were the majority (36.2%). They visited the hospital most frequently in the summer (31.8%), especially August (11.0%). The most common disease was herpes zoster (10.5%), followed by fungal infection (10.3%), and allergic contact dermatitis (8.4%). Fungal infection was the most frequent disease in patients between 65 and 69 years old and herpes zoster was the most frequent disease between 70 and 79 years old. Scabies was the most frequent disease in patients over 80 years old. Pruritis was found in 9.7% and xerosis in 7.0%. Eczema was the most common disease group (in 22.0%) and the second mmost common was viral infection (12.3%).
CONCLUSION
This study provides useful data on the prevalence and characteristics of dermatologic diseases in elderly Korean patients.