Geriatric Psychodermatology: A Narrative Review of Therapeutic, Educational, and Research Gaps
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64784/168Palavras-chave:
psychodermatology, geriatric dermatology, chronic pruritus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, mental health, depression, anxiety, brain-skin axis, elderly patients, interdisciplinary care, health systems, medical education, Latin AmericaResumo
Geriatric psychodermatology has emerged as a relevant interdisciplinary field that explores the complex interaction between dermatological diseases and psychological processes in older adults. This review aims to analyze current evidence regarding therapeutic, educational, and research gaps in the management of psychodermatological conditions in elderly populations, with particular consideration of diverse healthcare contexts, including Latin American settings. A narrative review was conducted based on recent literature (2020 onward), integrating findings from high-impact studies indexed in major biomedical databases. The results demonstrate that chronic dermatological conditions such as pruritus, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis are strongly associated with psychological burden, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and social isolation. The brain–skin axis provides a neuroimmunological framework explaining these interactions. Despite advances in understanding, significant gaps persist, particularly the predominance of symptom-focused treatment, lack of psychological screening, limited interdisciplinary care, insufficient training in psychodermatology, and scarcity of geriatric-specific research. These findings support the need for an integrative, patient-centered approach that incorporates biological, psychological, and social dimensions of care. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, improving medical education, and promoting context-sensitive research are essential steps toward optimizing outcomes in elderly patients with psychodermatological conditions.
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