Abstract: Objective: To investigate and analyze the risk factors of xerosis cutis in the elderly inpatients, so as to provide basis for the prevention and intervention of skin xerosis. Methods: A total of 52 hospitals in China were selected as multi-center research units. We performed skin examination for elderly inpatients (≥60 years old) using the same method and at the same period. International consensus definitions were used to identify dry skin, and demographic data, health status and the risk of pressure ulcer were collected. Single factors and Logistic regression analysis were employed to obtain the risk factors. Results: A total of 14675 cases of effective data were obtained. It was found that the total prevalence of xerosis cutis was 38.8% (5691/14675). Logistic regression analysis found that male, with risk of pressure injury, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, antibiotics, glucocorticoids and diuretics, age over 71 years and hospital stay over 8 days were independent risk factors for senile xerosis cutis. Conclusion: The prevalence of xerosis cutis in the elderly inpatients in China is high. The elderly inpatients with the above risk factors should be listed as the key elderly for the prevention.

Key words: elderly; xerosis cutis; cross-sectional survey; risk factors