Introduction: Geriatric health has become a major issue worldwide. According to the World Health Organization(WHO), between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world's population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%. There is paucity of literature involving the spectrum of frequencies of Filipino geriatric dermatoses. Objectives: To report on sociodemographic and clinical profiles of geriatric patients seen at the department of Dermatology of Southern Philip- pines Medical Center from January 2016 to December 2019. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Sociodemographic and clinical parameters were recorded and analyzed. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used. Results: Study population involved 470 patients with 372 out-patients and 98 in-patients. There was a preponderance of elderly patients with ages of 70-79 and a slight female predominance. Most were married, residents of Davao City, retired or unemployed and had no vices. About 711 derma- tologic dermatoses were recorded. Majority of concerns(22.08%) were classified under allergic and eczematous disorders. A greater number of cases were managed by a combination of topical and oral medications. A proportion of these patients(38.09%) had at least one known co-morbid condition; most common of which is hypertension. The top 10 most common dermatoses include (1)xerosis, (2)contact dermatitis, (3)lichen simplex chronicus, (4)dermatophytosis, (5)stasis derma- titis, (6)seborrheic dermatitis and seborrheic keratosis, (7)acrochordon, (8)psoriasis vulgaris, (9)herpes zoster and (10)verruca plana. Conclusion Geriatric dermatology is an emerging branch in the new millennium. Raising the level of awareness about these dermatoses may be crucial in proper management and improved quality of life for Filipino elderly patients.
Aged ; Aging