A Cross-Sectional Study of Mucocutaneous Manifestations amongGeriatric Patients at a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction & Objectives: India has experienced a notable rise in its elderly population since 1991.With advancing age, individuals face heightened risks of developing various skin disorders, including cancers.Despite global focus on geriatric healthcare, there remains a lack of comprehensive statistical studies on skindiseases in India.Methods: We conducted a study involving 181 consecutive patients, aged 60 years and above who visited theDermatology outpatient Department. Each patient provided informed written consent before data collection. Adetailed medical history was obtained, followed by thorough cutaneous and systemic examinations. Investiga-tions were carried out wherever necessary, and statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test.Result: Out of the 181 patients, 119 (65.7%) were male and 62 (34.3%) were female, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. The most frequently reported complaint among the patients was pruritus, which affected68.5% of them. Fungal infections were noted in 60 patients (33.1%), followed by eczematous disorders in 35patients (19.3%). Diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in 105 patients (58%). The most common age-related chang-es observed were wrinkling (100%) and graying of hair (100%). The prevalence of malignancy was 1%. Alope-cia affected 76.2% of the patients. About 20.99% of patients had nail involvement.Conclusion: The majority of elderly individuals seeking dermatological advice are males in the 60-69 year agegroup. Dermatoses in this demographic can be either age-related changes or pathological conditions. Given theunique needs of this population, a comprehensive examination is crucial to identify potential indicators of skinor systemic diseases. Prompt recognition and management of senile dermatoses play a pivotal role in enhancingthe longevity and quality of life among the geriatric population.