Morbidity pattern in geriatric population attending medicine outpatient department in a tertiary care center

 

Karthik N¹, K V Giriraja^2*

 

 

Abstract              Background: Population aging is a global phenomenon. In India, the size of the elderly population is growing fast. Many older adults have multiple medical conditions. Objectives: Study was done to assess the morbidity patterns in elderly population attending OPD in medicine department. Material and Methods: Study was conducted over a period of three months. All geriatric patients, 60 years or above, were included in the study. Morbidity affecting specific organ systems was classified based on the outpatient department case papers. Results: Respiratory diseases (46%) were commonest morbidity followed by cataract (38%), cardiovascular (36%) and hearing impairment (34%).As the age increases chances of getting morbidities were significantly higher. Conclusions: A high prevalence of morbidity among elderly highlights the urgent need to provide geriatric health care services in the developing country like India. Elderly persons should be motivated and policy makers must focus on rural elderly and their beliefs which prevent them from seeking healthcare.

Key Words: Elderly people, Hypertension, Morbidity, Respiratory diseases.