Non Communicable Disease Admissions in Developing Country as Experienced from the Medical Ward of a Tertiary Centre in Nigeria

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are chronic medical conditions that are non-infectious. NCDs which include a cluster of illnesses (Diabetes mellitus, Cancers, Chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal disorders) are increasing worldwide due to changing lifestyles and socio-economic status with significant contribution to the global disease burden. It is projected that by 2020, the largest increase in NCD deaths will occur in Africa which currently has a heavy infectious diseases burden. NCDs usually affect adults who are economically productive and bear enormous social responsibilities. The aim of this study is to determine the pattern of non-communicable diseases in the medical wards of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). It was a retrospective and hospital based study. The admission and discharge registers of the medical wards of UPTH from January 2013 to December 2016 were reviewed and NCD admissions extracted. There were 1096 cases of various NCDs constituting 57.7% of total medical ward admissions of 1898. The male to female ratio was 1:1.2 with a mean age of 54.40±21 years. Subjects ≥50 years of age accounted for 60.5% of total admissions. Diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine and renal systems were found to be the most prevalent accounting for 46.5%, 18.8% and 12.4% respectively of the NCDs in this study. Hypertension and hypertension-related complications, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure are major and important contributor to NCD admissions in the medical wards of UPTH. Early detection, appropriate management as well as patient education will play significant role in reducing its morbidity and mortality.