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Diseases of the middle-aged population: a study of 4,184 patients
I O Olubuyide1, P D Hart, A Alli-Gombe
1Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Insights
Cardiovascular, infective, neoplastic, and neuromuscular diseases were the most common conditions in Nigerian adults aged 31-60. These findings highlight key health challenges in this demographic group.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Understanding disease patterns in adult populations is crucial for healthcare planning.
- Previous studies have indicated varying prevalent diseases across different age groups and regions.
- The University College Hospital, Ibadan, serves a diverse patient population in Nigeria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most common diseases among adult medical admissions in Nigeria.
- To analyze the disease spectrum in patients aged 31-60 years.
- To compare findings with international disease patterns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical records for 4,184 patients admitted between 1980 and 1986.
- Patients were aged 31-60 years and treated in the medical wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
- Principal diagnoses were coded using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
Main Results:
- Cardiovascular diseases were a leading cause of admission.
- Infective diseases represented a significant proportion of diagnoses.
- Neoplastic and neuromuscular disorders were also highly prevalent.
- These four disease categories accounted for 70% of all admissions in the studied age group.
Conclusions:
- Cardiovascular, infective, neoplastic, and neuromuscular diseases are the predominant health issues for adults aged 31-60 in this Nigerian cohort.
- The findings underscore the importance of addressing these specific disease categories in public health strategies.
- Further research is needed to compare these results with contemporary disease patterns and global trends.
Abstract:
Within a seven-year period (1980-1986), 4,184 Nigerians aged 31-60 years were admitted into the medical wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The clinical notes of these patients were analysed and the principal diagnoses for each case was coded in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases. Cardiovascular, infective, neoplastic and neuro-muscular diseases constituted the commonest disorders being 70pc of all diseases at admission in this age group. The relevance of these findings in the light of the pattern of diseases elsewhere is discussed.