A study of medical problems and their outcome in the elderly patients attending the geriatric out patient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India

Abstract

Introduction: The health needs and medical needs of elderly populations are different from the young. The current study is intended to study the medical problems with which the elderly patients are attending the outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital and their outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective record based study was conducted among patients attending the geriatric OPD of tertiary care teaching hospital for a period of six months. Details regarding Medical condition, hospitalization status and treatment outcome were collected. Result: 60-64 years age group patients are the majority followed by 65-69 and 70-75 years age groups. Hypertension is the most common medical condition followed by Diabetes and Musculoskeletal disorders Hypertension being the major disorder in both the genders. 80 (13%) of them were admitted out of which 5 (6.25%) died during the course of treatment and 75 (93.75%) were treated successfully and discharged. Conclusion: Non-communicable diseases are the predominant geriatric health problems. There is significant gender differences in hospital admission rates but not in hospital death rates. The policy makers can utilize the data from studies like this to take necessary steps for the prevention, control and management of age related chronic diseases by various medical and non-medical measures. Provision of compulsory health insurance for all the elderly and provision of geriatric clinics in all levels of health care will decrease elderly morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Elderly patients, Medical problems, Geriatric OPD.