Pattern of admissions in a thoracic unit

Four hundred and fifty four patients were admitted at the Chest Unit of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre during the year 1982. Two hundred and thirty two had tuberculosis while 222 other respiratory disorders. Majority of patients with tuberculosis presented in 10-40 years age group, and over 80% had pareanchymal disease. Thirty Eight percent were old cases, who had some form of chemotherapy before admission usually by general practitioners. Diagnosis was mainly clinico-radiological and only 3 patients had bacteriologically confirmed disease. Average stay in the hospital was 27.8 days for both sexes. Twenty two patients [9.4%] died mainly with advanced pulmonary disease or its complications and other associated diseases