A survey of elderly new patients at a dermatology outpatient clinic.

A study of all new dermatitic out patients greater than 70 years of age, referred in the period January-June 1987 (257 patients), was undertaken to obtain information on the types of skin diseases and the dermatological outpatient services required in the case of the elderly. The group accounted for 14% of all new patients. The leading diagnoses were seborrheic keratosis (15.6%), basal cell carcinoma (13.6%), solar keratosis (13.2%), psoriasis (9.7%) and leg ulcer (9.3%). A skin biopsy was required in 27%, and surgical treatment in 31% of the group, compared with 12% and 16%, respectively, of all new patients during the same period. Consequently, the elderly group were more likely to require a follow-up appointment and tended to be more time-consuming outpatients.