Frequency and types of skin disorders and associated diabetes mellitus in elderly Jordanians.

A retrospective study of 232 elderly patients seen between August 1998 and April 2000 at the skin clinic in Princess Haya hospital, Aqaba, was undertaken to determine the prevalence of skin disorders, and those most commonly associated with diabetes mellitus, in the elderly. Eczema/dermatitis was the commonest skin disorder seen (25.9% of cases), followed by pruritus without skin lesions (15.1%), viral infection (14.7%, most commonly herpes zoster), fungal infection (13.8%), and bacterial infection (10.3%). Bacterial infection was the commonest skin disorder in patients with diabetes mellitus (62.5%), followed by fungal infection (50.0%). Skin diseases cause considerable morbidity in elderly people; health promotion and education can do much to reduce the risks of these disorders in the elderly, especially those with diabetes.