Comorbid Diseases and Drug Usage Among Geriatric Patients Presenting with Neurological Problems At the Emergency Department

Abstract

Introduction: Our objective in this study is to determine the presenting complaints, identify the comorbid diseases and the rate of drug usage among geriatric patients admitted to the emergency service and received a diagnosis of a neurological disorder. Materials and Method: A descriptive, and retrospective study was planned. Demographic characteristics, present diseases, use of medications, neurological diagnoses were recorded from the patients files. Results: Geriatric patient group constituted 58.78% of the cases. Emergency department Of the 439 patients transferred to the neurology ward 239 (54.4 %) were female and 200 (45.6%) were male. The rates of comorbid diseases were found to be as follows; hypertension 315 (71.8%), coronary artery disease 127 (28.9 %), diabetes mellitus 102 (23.2 %), history of stroke 111(25.3%), dyslipidemia 37 (8.4%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 35 (8.0%). 352 (80.2%) of the cases were using drug regularly. Conclusion: Chronic diseases and associated complications drug usage and adverse effects increase by aging. Awareness of these features in the geriatric population will increase the success in the treatment and follow-up. In addition, treatment costs will be reduced.