Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of xerosis leading to asteatotic eczema in geriatrics.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study included 248 geriatric patients presenting with xerosis, at the Department of Dermatology, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. Their ages, gender and dermatological diagnosis were recorded and analyzed using SPSS Version 11.
Results: Out of the 248 patients, 143 (57.6%) were male and 105 (42.3%) female. The age range was from 65 to 90 years (mean 72.36±7.48 years). Out of 143 male patients, 20(14%) were suffering from asteototic eczema and out 105 female patients, only 4(3.8%) were suffering from asteototic eczema. A total of 24 (10%) patients developed asteototic eczema. The more the duration of disease more there were the chances of developing asteototic eczema.
Conclusion: Older adult patients presenting with xerosis are more likely to develop asteototic eczema, moreover, with longer the duration of xerosis, higher likelihood of developing this condition.

Key words: Skin disease, skin aging, geriatric, xerosis, asteototic eczema.