A single centre retrospective study to analyze and compare mortality amongst geriatric and non-geriatric population presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Delhi

Abstract

Introduction: India is a country currently undergoing a phase of demographic transition. Increased fertility rate and decreased mortality rate due to advancing health care facilities have contributed to the aging population. The geriatric age group is vulnerable period of life and has health problems and related morbidity and mortality which are very different from other age groups. The present study was conducted to compare and analyze the causes of mortality among patients of geriatric and non geriatric age group admitted to medical emergency in a Government run tertiary level teaching hospital in New Delhi. Materials and Methods: The data for all the patients admitted in the medical emergency department from January 2008 to December 2008 were obtained from Medical Records Department. The age of 65 was used as a demarcation between geriatric and non – geriatric groups for the purpose of study. Total number of patients who died from different causes were noted and sub-classified according to the cause of mortality. The percentage mortality due to different causes was calculated for both age groups and compared and analyzed. Results: The study revealed that a total of 10,711 patients were admitted to the medical emergency of which 2035 were in geriatric group and 8676 were in non geriatric group. The mortality rate in geriatric and non geriatric population was 14.3% and 7.65% respectively which was significantly higher in geriatric population statistically. CAD and COPD were the commonest disease responsible for mortality among geriatric patients while the leading cause for mortality among non geriatric group was infectious disease. Discussion: The geriatric population because of its widespread economic, social and health care implications needs utmost care to decrease associate morbidity and mortality and to improve the quality of life. Geriatrics as a separate branch in not too much developed and much needs to be done in this aspect to improve the health care delivery.