[Oto-rhino-laryngology and geriatrics in the Ivory Coast]

Geriatrics medicine develops more and more as a specialized branch of medicine. We report a prospective study of 69 cases of geriatric patients hospitalized in the ENT department of Treichville's teaching hospital from 1996 till 2001. The frequency of hospitalization was estimated at 6.5%. The cohort consisted of 48 males (69.5%) and 21 females (30.5%) with an overall average age of 66.5 years. The majority of the patients lived in the city of Abidjan (61%) with a low socio-economic level (54%). 50.7% were married and 75.4% lived in a house-bold of several persons. The main lesions were at the level of the larynx (36.2%) and nose and sinuses (21.7%) cancers (52%) were more frequent. The patients were little dependent (84%), however 11.6% presented with psychological troubles. Associated pathologies were identified in 18.8% of case. The age, dependence and pathology determined the average duration of stay and the mode of exit. Mortality, of tumoral cause (cancer of the larynx), was estimated at 11.6%. An improved service requires a mutli-disciplinary approach an ORL-based presentative programme and prospective multicentre studies.