Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation

Zou Xiaofang; Lu Xiaojuan; Wu Haotian

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

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Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation

Zou Xiaofang

, Lu Xiaojuan, Wu Haotian^*

Published in International Journal of Clinical Dermatology (Volume 9, Issue 2)

Received: 23 August 2026 Accepted: 2 September 2026 Published: 20 September 2026

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Abstract

Objective to analyze the disease spectrum, demographic and departmental distribution characteristics of dermatological consultations among elderly inpatients, and compare the differences between internal medicine and surgical departments, so as to provide evidence for multidisciplinary management of cutaneous disorders in older adults and clinical teaching. Methods Clinical data of dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients aged ≥60 years at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from January to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patient age, gender, requesting department and consultation diagnosis were recorded. Diseases were classified uniformly, and comparisons were performed between the internal medicine system and surgical system. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results A total of 1,285 patients were enrolled with a male-to-female ratio of 1.38:1 and a mean age of (76.2 ± 9.3) years. Dermatitis and eczema ranked first (32.8%), followed by sexually transmitted diseases (12.9%) and viral dermatoses (8.7%). With advancing age, the proportions of dermatitis/eczema and pruritic dermatoses increased, while the proportion of drug eruptions decreased (all P < 0.05). No significant gender-based difference was observed in the disease spectrum (P > 0.05). The top 10 departments requesting consultations all belonged to the internal medicine system. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases in surgical departments was significantly higher than that in internal medicine departments (21.2% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001). Dermatitis and eczema were more prevalent in internal medicine, whereas drug eruptions were more common in surgery (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Dermatoses encountered during dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients exhibit distinct age- and department-specific distribution patterns. Clinicians should strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, prioritize the prevention and management of infectious and drug-related cutaneous diseases, standardize basic skin care for hospitalized older adults, and adjust the focus of dermatology residency training accordingly.

Published in	International Journal of Clinical Dermatology (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
Page(s)	111-117
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Aged, Inpatients, Dermatological Consultation, Disease Spectrum, Multidisciplinary Collaboration

References

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APA Style

Xiaofang, Z., Xiaojuan, L., Haotian, W. (2026). Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation. International Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 9(2), 111-117. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

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ACS Style

Xiaofang, Z.; Xiaojuan, L.; Haotian, W. Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation. Int. J. Clin. Dermatol. 2026, 9(2), 111-117. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

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AMA Style

Xiaofang Z, Xiaojuan L, Haotian W. Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation. Int J Clin Dermatol. 2026;9(2):111-117. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12,
  author = {Zou Xiaofang and Lu Xiaojuan and Wu Haotian},
  title = {Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation},
  journal = {International Journal of Clinical Dermatology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {111-117},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcd.20260902.12},
  abstract = {Objective to analyze the disease spectrum, demographic and departmental distribution characteristics of dermatological consultations among elderly inpatients, and compare the differences between internal medicine and surgical departments, so as to provide evidence for multidisciplinary management of cutaneous disorders in older adults and clinical teaching. Methods Clinical data of dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients aged ≥60 years at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from January to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patient age, gender, requesting department and consultation diagnosis were recorded. Diseases were classified uniformly, and comparisons were performed between the internal medicine system and surgical system. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results A total of 1,285 patients were enrolled with a male-to-female ratio of 1.38:1 and a mean age of (76.2 ± 9.3) years. Dermatitis and eczema ranked first (32.8%), followed by sexually transmitted diseases (12.9%) and viral dermatoses (8.7%). With advancing age, the proportions of dermatitis/eczema and pruritic dermatoses increased, while the proportion of drug eruptions decreased (all P  0.05). The top 10 departments requesting consultations all belonged to the internal medicine system. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases in surgical departments was significantly higher than that in internal medicine departments (21.2% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001). Dermatitis and eczema were more prevalent in internal medicine, whereas drug eruptions were more common in surgery (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Dermatoses encountered during dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients exhibit distinct age- and department-specific distribution patterns. Clinicians should strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, prioritize the prevention and management of infectious and drug-related cutaneous diseases, standardize basic skin care for hospitalized older adults, and adjust the focus of dermatology residency training accordingly.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation
AU  - Zou Xiaofang
AU  - Lu Xiaojuan
AU  - Wu Haotian
Y1  - 2026/09/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
T2  - International Journal of Clinical Dermatology
JF  - International Journal of Clinical Dermatology
JO  - International Journal of Clinical Dermatology
SP  - 111
EP  - 117
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2995-1305
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
AB  - Objective to analyze the disease spectrum, demographic and departmental distribution characteristics of dermatological consultations among elderly inpatients, and compare the differences between internal medicine and surgical departments, so as to provide evidence for multidisciplinary management of cutaneous disorders in older adults and clinical teaching. Methods Clinical data of dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients aged ≥60 years at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from January to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patient age, gender, requesting department and consultation diagnosis were recorded. Diseases were classified uniformly, and comparisons were performed between the internal medicine system and surgical system. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results A total of 1,285 patients were enrolled with a male-to-female ratio of 1.38:1 and a mean age of (76.2 ± 9.3) years. Dermatitis and eczema ranked first (32.8%), followed by sexually transmitted diseases (12.9%) and viral dermatoses (8.7%). With advancing age, the proportions of dermatitis/eczema and pruritic dermatoses increased, while the proportion of drug eruptions decreased (all P  0.05). The top 10 departments requesting consultations all belonged to the internal medicine system. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases in surgical departments was significantly higher than that in internal medicine departments (21.2% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001). Dermatitis and eczema were more prevalent in internal medicine, whereas drug eruptions were more common in surgery (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Dermatoses encountered during dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients exhibit distinct age- and department-specific distribution patterns. Clinicians should strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, prioritize the prevention and management of infectious and drug-related cutaneous diseases, standardize basic skin care for hospitalized older adults, and adjust the focus of dermatology residency training accordingly.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Zou Xiaofang

Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital(Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University), Guangzhou, China

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-0387-9118
Lu Xiaojuan

Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital(Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University), Guangzhou, China
Wu Haotian

Department of Dermatology, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital(Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University), Guangzhou, China

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0000-1805-1496

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APA Style

Xiaofang, Z., Xiaojuan, L., Haotian, W. (2026). Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation. International Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 9(2), 111-117. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

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ACS Style

Xiaofang, Z.; Xiaojuan, L.; Haotian, W. Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation. Int. J. Clin. Dermatol. 2026, 9(2), 111-117. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

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AMA Style

Xiaofang Z, Xiaojuan L, Haotian W. Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation. Int J Clin Dermatol. 2026;9(2):111-117. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12,
  author = {Zou Xiaofang and Lu Xiaojuan and Wu Haotian},
  title = {Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation},
  journal = {International Journal of Clinical Dermatology},
  volume = {9},
  number = {2},
  pages = {111-117},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcd.20260902.12},
  abstract = {Objective to analyze the disease spectrum, demographic and departmental distribution characteristics of dermatological consultations among elderly inpatients, and compare the differences between internal medicine and surgical departments, so as to provide evidence for multidisciplinary management of cutaneous disorders in older adults and clinical teaching. Methods Clinical data of dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients aged ≥60 years at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from January to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patient age, gender, requesting department and consultation diagnosis were recorded. Diseases were classified uniformly, and comparisons were performed between the internal medicine system and surgical system. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results A total of 1,285 patients were enrolled with a male-to-female ratio of 1.38:1 and a mean age of (76.2 ± 9.3) years. Dermatitis and eczema ranked first (32.8%), followed by sexually transmitted diseases (12.9%) and viral dermatoses (8.7%). With advancing age, the proportions of dermatitis/eczema and pruritic dermatoses increased, while the proportion of drug eruptions decreased (all P  0.05). The top 10 departments requesting consultations all belonged to the internal medicine system. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases in surgical departments was significantly higher than that in internal medicine departments (21.2% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001). Dermatitis and eczema were more prevalent in internal medicine, whereas drug eruptions were more common in surgery (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Dermatoses encountered during dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients exhibit distinct age- and department-specific distribution patterns. Clinicians should strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, prioritize the prevention and management of infectious and drug-related cutaneous diseases, standardize basic skin care for hospitalized older adults, and adjust the focus of dermatology residency training accordingly.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Disease Spectrum Characteristics and Differences Between Internal Medicine and Surgery in 1285 Elderly Inpatients with Dermatological Consultation
AU  - Zou Xiaofang
AU  - Lu Xiaojuan
AU  - Wu Haotian
Y1  - 2026/09/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
T2  - International Journal of Clinical Dermatology
JF  - International Journal of Clinical Dermatology
JO  - International Journal of Clinical Dermatology
SP  - 111
EP  - 117
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2995-1305
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcd.20260902.12
AB  - Objective to analyze the disease spectrum, demographic and departmental distribution characteristics of dermatological consultations among elderly inpatients, and compare the differences between internal medicine and surgical departments, so as to provide evidence for multidisciplinary management of cutaneous disorders in older adults and clinical teaching. Methods Clinical data of dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients aged ≥60 years at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital from January to December 2024 were retrospectively collected. Patient age, gender, requesting department and consultation diagnosis were recorded. Diseases were classified uniformly, and comparisons were performed between the internal medicine system and surgical system. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0. Results A total of 1,285 patients were enrolled with a male-to-female ratio of 1.38:1 and a mean age of (76.2 ± 9.3) years. Dermatitis and eczema ranked first (32.8%), followed by sexually transmitted diseases (12.9%) and viral dermatoses (8.7%). With advancing age, the proportions of dermatitis/eczema and pruritic dermatoses increased, while the proportion of drug eruptions decreased (all P  0.05). The top 10 departments requesting consultations all belonged to the internal medicine system. The proportion of sexually transmitted diseases in surgical departments was significantly higher than that in internal medicine departments (21.2% vs 10.6%, P < 0.001). Dermatitis and eczema were more prevalent in internal medicine, whereas drug eruptions were more common in surgery (both P < 0.05). Conclusion Dermatoses encountered during dermatological consultations for elderly inpatients exhibit distinct age- and department-specific distribution patterns. Clinicians should strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, prioritize the prevention and management of infectious and drug-related cutaneous diseases, standardize basic skin care for hospitalized older adults, and adjust the focus of dermatology residency training accordingly.
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
ER  -

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