The Prevalence of Skin Disease in the Geriatric Age Group

Summary Data is presented from two studies on the prevalence of skin disease amongst geriatric patients in Ottawa, Canada. In the presenting complaint study, there were 326 new geriatric patients examined (12.7% of all new patients). The four commonest presenting complaints were actinic keratoses (24.9%), eczema (16.3%), benign tumours (13.8%) and malignant tumours (12.6%). In the random selection study, 166 geriatric patients selected from nursing homes and hospitals were examined and their dermatologic signs recorded. Some of the cutaneous features that were observed are reported.