Morbidity patterns of persons waiting for infirmary care in Hong Kong

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Hong Kong's aging population faces rising physical and mental disabilities.
• Severe disability necessitates specialized infirmary care.
• Understanding the morbidity patterns of those awaiting infirmary services is crucial for resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the primary causes of severe disability among individuals on the Hong Kong Central Infirmary Waiting List.
• To assess the physical and cognitive status of this patient cohort.
• To determine the need for infirmary care within this population.

Main Methods:

• A study of 204 consecutive patients on the Central Infirmary Waiting List in Hong Kong.
• Clinical assessments included detailed medical history review and physical examinations.
• Cognitive function was evaluated using the Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT).

Main Results:

• The most prevalent conditions leading to severe disability were stroke (40.2%) and dementia (27.0%).
• Elderly individuals (≥65 years) constituted 89.2% of the study population.
• A significant majority (67.5%) experienced physical dependency, 87.3% had cognitive impairment (AMT ≤5), and 80% suffered from incontinence.

Conclusions:

• Stroke and dementia are the leading causes of severe disability among those awaiting infirmary care in Hong Kong.
• The majority of patients assessed required infirmary admission, highlighting a critical need for increased bed capacity.
• Enhanced home-support, prevention, and rehabilitation programs are urgently required to manage disabling conditions in Hong Kong's aging demographic.