Study of mortality and morbidity patterns and various emerging non communicable diseases in the elderly

Abstract

Background: The geriatric population is defined as population aged 60 years and above. The mixed profile of communicable and non-communicable diseases among the elderly population in developing countries places a huge burden on the existing health care delivery system. Present hospital based cross-sectional study was focused on the morbidity profile of the elderly and improve the health care services so as to enable them to lead a productive life. Material and Methods: Present study was single centre, descriptive observational study, conducted in subjects above 60 years and both gender, visiting to OPD and IPD, willing to participate in study after written consent. Results: We included total 200 geriatric population in our study. Majority of them were from 60-70 years age group (50 %) followed by 71-80 years (37%) and 81-90 years age group (13%). Mean age was 70.75±7.25 years. Males were 56.5% and females were 43.5%. Males were predominant in our study with male to female ratio 1.29:1. Most common addiction seen among the patients are tobacco chewing (49.5%) followed by smoking (27%), followed by pan (24.5%), nut (21.5%) and alcohol (10.5%). Family history of diabetes and hypertension was present in 63.5% and 72% cases respectively. Prevalence of cataract as commonest observed morbidity in our study was 60%, DM 37%, hypertension 34%, IHD 33.5%, anemia 21%, hearing loss 11.5% and cancer was 4%. Out of 45 deaths, 44.4% deaths occurred in patients with IHD as risk factor, 26.6% deaths occurred in patients with COPD as risk factor, 22.2% deaths occurred in patients with CVA/stroke as risk factor and 17.8% deaths occurred in patients with AKI as risk factor. So IHD, COPD, CVA and AKI were significantly associated with mortality. Conclusion: Commonly observed morbidities were cataract (60%), diabetes mellitus (37%), hypertension (34%), ischemic heart disease (33.5%) Significant association of mortality was seen with ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular accident and acute kidney injury.