Prevalence of skin complaints in middle-aged and elderly male population

National studies on the prevalence of skin problems of the Iranian are very limited. The aim of this study was to determine the skin complaints of adult male population.

In this cross-sectional study, 1419 men over 35 years from 32 provinces participated by invitation. Demographic information, underlying disease history and presence of skin problems/diseases were collected by dermatologists. The participants were evaluated in terms of the presence of skin complaints (itching, burning, dry skin, redness, scaling, and skin color change); and any skin complaints with type, severity and location.

About one third 31.6% of the Iranian male middle-aged and elderly, had an underlying disease (n=449). High blood pressure, diabetes, and neurological disorders constituted 79.7% of the chronic diseases. In total, n=344 persons (24.2%) were rated as having skin complaint. Most people who had a skin complaint reported more than one skin complaint 75.6% (n=260). The most common skin complaints were related to itching 14.6% (n=207) and dry skin 5.6% (23.3%) in studied population, which were mostly mild 59.3% (n=204) and localize 58.4% (n=201). The use of corticosteroids was stated in 7.2%(n=103) and the most common types of usage was oral 62.1% (n=64). There was significant correlation between skin complaint and occupational exposure (P=0.01); lower education level (P=0.05); corticosteroid usage in general (P<0.001) and both oral (P=0.02) and topical (P<0.001) corticosteroid.

Skin complaint is common among middle-aged and elderly Iranian men. The most common skin complaint are mostly mild and localized itching and dry skin.