Significance and Age Analysis of Chest Diseases in Emergency Department

Objectives: The elderly population is on an increasing trend along with life expectancy around the world. Elderly patients constitute around every one of five admissions in emergency department (ED) of. A susceptibility to respiratory diseases results from lessened lung functioning due to aging. The aim of this study is to analyse patients according to age groups who have admitted to ED for a chest disease.
 

Methods: The study is a retrospective and observational one conducted in a state hospital. All adult admissions to ED between September 2017-September 2018 were investigated via hospital database records. Patients diagnosed with a pulmonary disease were recorded. Admission date, demographics, treatment results and hospital mortality rates were registered. patients were divided into two groups according to age as<65 and ≥65. The diagonoses and treatment results were compared between the Groups.
 

Results: Pulmonary patients constituted 6.5% of all admissions. The mean age was 59±20 and 40% (n=1487) were female. March was the most applied month and the most frequent visits were between 12:00-16:00. Bronchistis patients were the youngest while respiratory failure patients were the oldest. Hospitalization rate was 35% and 6% of all the patients died. In 29%, pulmonologist consultation was carried out. Of all the admissions, 45% were aged ≥65. Elderly patients were more frequently consulted to a pulmonologist (p<0.001) and hospitalized (p<0.001). In elderly patients, hospitalization duration was longer (p=0.048) and hospital mortality rates were higher (p<0.001).
 

Conclusion: Pulmonary patients constitute a significant part of emergency department admissions and elderly patient population there tends to be dense. Elderly patients require more frequent hospitalization and consultations with specialists. These patients require longer duration of treatment and have higher mortality rates. All professionals/staff trained and work in pulmonary health area bear important level of responsibility for the care of the elderly patients.