‘Prevalence and determinants for xerosis cutis in the middle-aged and elderly population: a cross-sectional study’

Publication date: Available online 23 December 2018

Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Author(s): Selma Mekic, Leonie C. Jacobs, David A. Gunn, Andrew E. Mayes, M. Arfan Ikram, Luba M. Pardo, Tamar Nijsten

Abstract

Background

Determinants and the extent of dry skin in healthy middle-aged and elderly populations have not been well established.

Objective

We aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants for generalized (GDS) and localized dry skin (LDS) within a large prospective population based cohort of middle-aged to elderly individuals of the Rotterdam Study.

Methods

Dry skin was physician-graded as none, localized or generalized. For GDS and LDS separate multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to search for association with participant characteristics, lifestyle factors, environmental factors, several comorbidities and drug exposure.

Results

Among the 5547 eligible participants, 60% had dry skin of which a fifth had GDS. Age, female sex, skin color, BMI, outside temperature, eczema and chemotherapy in the past were significant determinants for both GDS and LDS. Smoking, the use of statins and diuretics, a lower self-perceived health and several dermatological conditions increased the likelihood of having GDS only. Daily cream use associated with less LDS.

Limitations

Inter-observer variability and residual confounding could have influenced our results. Due to our cross-sectional design we cannot infer causality.

Conclusion

We identified factors significantly associated with dry skin in a general middle-aged to elderly population, with health parameters more strongly associated with GDS.

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