Publication:

Co-morbidities associated with various ear nose throat conditions of geriatric patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background Old age is a sensitive phase in which lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioural patterns leads to major physiological and psychological problems. This emphasizes the need for a study on the co-morbidities associated with ENT conditions among geriatric population presented in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods A discrete study was done among the elder patients (≥65 years) admitted in ENT department. Detailed history was taken regarding their co-morbidities and health problems using questionnaire. Feedback of these patients with respect to their ENT conditions as well as co-morbidities was recorded during hospital stay and subsequent follow-upin ENT outpatient department. Opinion of general physician, neurologist, cardiologist was sought and advices followed for management of co-morbidities. The prevalence of co-morbidities and health problems were subjected to statistical analysis.

Results A total of 141 patients (90 male and 51 female) were included in the study. The most common ENT associated illness for the admission was epistaxis (23/141, 16.3%) and vocal cord pathology (23/141,16.3%). The most common associated co-morbidities were hypertension (54/141, 38.2%) and type 2 diabetes (51/141, 36.17%). Symptomatic improvement and patient satisfaction with treatment offered were higher with adequate management of co-morbidity.

Conclusions The most common ENT associated illness for the admission was epistaxis and vocal cord pathology which was associated with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Better control of these co-morbidities improves treatment outcome as well as patient satisfaction, trust with medical field.