Pattern of diseases in geriatric patients admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore

Abstract

The provision of specialised services for persons aged 60 years and above is still lacking in our country. This study was carried out to analyse the pattern of acute & chronic diseases in the geriatric patients admitted at a teaching hospital, and to stress on the importance of the field of geriatrics in the teaching hospitals of Pakistan. Patients falling in the geriatric age group, i.e. 60 years and above admitted consecutively at the various department of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, were collected for the study. The pattern of diseases was studied in 200 patients. A proforma was used for the collection of data, which included patient`s personal profile, history, examination, summary of the investigations carried out and the final diagnosis. The patients under study fell in the age range of 60-100 years, 96 females and 104 males. Maximum patients were admitted in the Medical wards, followed by Surgery, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, ENT and Psychiatry. Most of the patients had multiple problems and required a multidisciplinary approach. The diseases seen in the study group were: cataract (51.5%), coronary artery disease (30.5%), diabetes mellitus (31%), hypertension (29.5%), cerebrovascular disease (7%), benign prostatic hyperplasia (35.6%), osteoarthrosis (34%) malignancy (10.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (7:5%), fractures (4%), liver disease (4%) and psychiatric illnesses (33%). It was concluded that the elderly suffer from a broad spectrum of diseases, which though cause much morbidity, are preventable and amenable to treatment. Hence special attention to such problems and the field of Geriatrics is essential at all levels.