Dry skin is a common skin problem in older persons. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, associated factors of dry skin in older inpatients.

A multicenter cross-sectional study was designed and conducted.

On 31 March and 29 May in 2021 two days, fifty hospitals and two nursing homes in China participated in the study. In total, 33,769 participants were included. The mean age was 73.2 (SD 8.9) years.

A whole-body skin examination and associated data collection were performed by 1067 trained nurses based on a standardized data form and methods. Descriptive and univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted.

In total, 11,602 participants had dry skin with a prevalence of 34.4%, mainly located on the upper and lower limbs with very severe skin dryness, 21.2% of the participants reported that their dry skin had pruritus, and 12.5% complained that sleep was affected by dry skin. The stronger predictor for dry skin was nursing homes (OR 5.07, 95% CI 3.99–6.45). Other predictors for dry skin were age, male sex, nutrition, lower activity level, skincare dependence, renal and pulmonary impairment, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, cardiovascular diseases and Parkinsonism, diuretics, statins and antibiotics. The predictive model of area under ROC curve was 0.628(95% CI 0.622–0.634).

The prevalence of dry skin among Chinese older patients was at high level and was associated with multiple factors. Persons with skin dryness have a higher proportion of skin itching and poor sleep.

It has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100042893).

Older inpatients

Dry skin

Prevention

Cross-sectional survey

Risk factors

© 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.