Morbidity profile of elderly admitted to a medical ward of a tertiary care hospital of South Gujarat: A prospective observational study.

ABSTRACT

Background: The altered spectrum of diseases in geriatric age group and atypical manifestations of these conditions make geriatric health care truly unique. The challenge ahead for health care in the coming years is to ensure the quality of life to a large group of the elderly population. In spite of the recognition that the elderly has specific medical conditions, a dedicated health care policy to improve geriatric health care is yet to be developed India. Objectives: To study the disease pattern, hospital stay and outcome among the geriatric patients based on age, gender and other variables. Materials and methods: An observational prospective study done after permission of human research ethics committee. All patients aged 60 years and over admitted to the wards were included into the study. Detailed information about current admission and other history was noted. Thorough clinical evaluation was done by physical examination and investigations and noted in the case record form. Observations Total 100 participants included in the study. They were divided into two groups 60-64 years and ? 65 years. Nearly 90% patients had more than one aliments or diagnosis. Non-communicable diseases like Cardiovascular disease (48%) was the commonest reason for admission, followed by Respiratory disease (42%), renal disease (40%), gastrointestinal disease, neurological disease and endocrine disease in descending order of frequency. Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases are common cause of morbidity and mortality with infection are adding the morbidity as well as mortality among the elder population.