A Study of Non-Communicable Morbidity Pattern in Geriatric Patients Attending a Referral Railway Hospital in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Research question: What types of non-communicable geriatric cases attend the Railway referral hospital in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh? Objectives: 1) To identify the various morbidities in the geriatric population attending the OPD of the selected hospital. 2) To observe the sex-wise difference of such morbidities among the studied subjects. Study design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study. Study location: the North Central Railway Hospital of Allahabad. Study duration: 1 year (from March, 2010 to February, 2011). Material and method: Medical record analysis, clinical history taking and examination using a pretested questionnaire. Results: Total 467 respondents were included in the study (235 males and 232 females). Three-fourth of the subjects rated their health status as either ‘mostly’ or ‘somewhat’ healthy. Nearly 62% had vision abnormality while 15.2% suffered from impaired hearing. Respiratory (43.5%) and musculoskeletal symptoms were among the most commonly observed morbidities. Diabetes mellitus and overactive bladder syndrome were significantly commoner among males while respiratory complaints, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and low back ache were more common in females as compared to males. Discharge per vaginum was the most common gynecological problem noted (41.4% of all female patients). Conclusion: The study identifies the common morbidities in geriatric hospital attendees and underscores the need for appropriate resource allocation and arrangements.