Background :
The proportion of the elderly population is increasing globally. Very little information is available on the presentation and clinical outcome of elderly patients at the Emergency Department (ED) in Bangladesh. This study was carried out to assess the pattern of elderly patients (65 years and more) who visited the ED of 250 Bedded General Hospital, Pabna (GHP).
Methods :
A retrospective observational study was conducted on patients aged 65 years or more at GHP from 2017 through 2021. Patient demographic information, symptoms, diagnoses, and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results :
20.7% (n = 94,905) of all adults (n = 457,549) presenting to the ED were aged ≥65 years. A greater number of elderly patients (58%) required hospitalization compared to non-elderly adults (37%).
The three most common symptoms were breathlessness (9.9%), dizziness (9.0%), and abdominal pain (5.3%). Symptoms were mainly acute (<24 hours, 42%) or less than one week (28.9%).
The three most common diagnoses were respiratory tract infections (7.8%), cerebrovascular diseases (stroke/transient ischaemic attack, 7.6%), and heart failure (7.4%).
Conclusion :
Elderly patients constituted 20.7% of emergency attendance but 32.5% of admissions among adults. They differ significantly from younger adults in presentation and outcome.