Skin lesions among geriatric patients [Geri·atrk hastalarda deri· bulgulari]

Geriatric patients form a special group among dermatologic pati-ents because of having dermatologic and systemic diseases more frequently. The prolonged ultraviolet exposure and the increased ineidence of xerosis, immunosuppression, circulatory disorders and systemic diseases seen in these patients cause a variability in the incidence and the features of dermatoses. The aim of this study is to determine the clinical spectrum of skin disorders seen in geriatric patients who were hospitalized in our clinic from 1995 to 2000. 426 patients (226 males and 200 females, age ranged from 65-95 years) were included in the study. The control group were eomposed of 100 patients who were younger than 65. The incidence of skin lesions were determined and results were com-pared with the control group statistically by using chi-square test. Infectious diseases (%51), precancerous and cancerous lesions (%46), and benign neoplasia (%39) were the most frequently seen skin lesions. The incidence of skin lesions in younger (65 to 74 years of age) and older (equal or over 75 years of age) geriatric groups were compared statistically by using chi-square test again and only precancerous and cancerous lesions were found more frequently in older geriatric group (p<0.05). As a result, this study shows that geriatric patients form an important group among the patients hospitalized in ourclinic and points out the importance of having preventive measures because of the higher risk of intecti-ous diseases among this group.