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Background: Geriatric health care has assumed worldwide importance due to increase in the life expectancy during the last few decades. Aging skin has a marked susceptibility to dermatologic disorders due to the structural and physiologic changes that occur as a consequence of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Aim: This study was aimed to evaluate the magnitude, pattern, contributory factors and systemic association of various dermatoses among geriatric population. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 60 years and above attending the dermatology outpatient department during a period of one year were enrolled in the study. Detailed history taking followed by general, systemic and cutaneous examination, and relevant investigations were carried out. The findings were recorded in a proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. Results: Out of total 610 patients enrolled, 68.2% were males and 31.8% females. The male to female ratio was 2.14:1. Maximum (339; 55.6%) number of patients were in the age group of 60-69 years. Wrinkling (273; 44.8%) was the commonest physiological cutaneous finding. Among the pathological changes, benign tumors (620; 39.9%), nevus (253; 16.3%), infection and infestation (244; 15.7%), dermatitis (158; 10.1%), pruritus (78; 5.0%), pigmentary disorders (67; 4.3%) and papulosquamous disorders (62; 4.0%) were common conditions. Associated systemic illness was recorded in 180 (29.5%) patients, of which hypertension (96; 15.7%) was the commonest. Conclusion: With the expected increase in the geriatric population in the coming years, the dermatological problems in geriatric population assume great importance. Our study shows that physiological changes seen with ageing such as wrinkling, senile purpura, xerosis, senile comedone, atrophy and senile lentigens are major cutaneous findings. Eczemas of various types and fungal and bacterial infections are the common dermatological morbidities. These dermatological morbidities in geriatric population can be minimized by reassurance, regular use of emollients and proper education regarding routine care of skin.

Introduction. Skin tags are known to be associated with several systemic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Only a few Indian studies have investigated patients with skin tags for underlying metabolic complications. Objective . To assess the clinico-epidemiological profile of patients with skin tags and evaluate them for underlying metabolic abnormalities. Material and methods . All the patients reporting skin tag(s) at the dermatology outpatient department from October 2013 to September 2014 were included in the study. A detailed general, cutaneous and systemic examination was carried out. The data were analyzed using the χ 2 test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. Out of 165 enrolled patients, 112 (67.88%) completed the study protocol. Females outnumbered males, the M : F ratio being 1 : 1.11. Most patients (32; 28.57%) were in the age group of 31–40 years. The majority of the patients (77; 68.75%) reported after 1 year of noticing the lesions. The most commonly affected site was the neck (99; 88.39%) followed by the axilla (53; 47.32%). Acanthosis nigricans was the most common skin disease associated with skin tags (37; 33.03%). The diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome were fulfilled by 47 (41.96%) patients. The majority of the patients (70; 62.5%) were either overweight or obese. Abnormal glucose tolerance and hypertension were found in 41 (36.6%) and 37 (33.03%) of the patients respectively. Above optimal LDL cholesterol was the most common lipid abnormality, detected in 64 (56.25%) of the cases. Patients with 11 or more skin tags lesions and those with involvement of the thigh, axilla or neck were more likely to have metabolic syndrome. Conclusions. Patients with skin tags should be screened for concomitant diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Early detection of these complications followed by appropriate lifestyle changes and/or drug therapy would be beneficial in terms of reducing the considerable morbidity and mortality.