Syed Arshad Sabir, Sajid Hameed, Humaira Aziz, Asma.
Adult mortality in medical, sociodemographic and healthcare perspective.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;49(4):101-5.

Background: Statistics on causes of deaths can help in determining the pattern & burden of disease and devise measures for planning and controlling unwanted deaths. Objectives: To assess the pattern of mortality in adult patients in a public sector tertiary care hospital at Rawalpindi during the year 2005. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective study was done through search of hospital records of all deaths in adults during the year 2005 in a public sector tertiary care hospital. Information on pertinent variables was obtained on a proforma. Cause of death in each case was ascertained as it was documented. Important Lab. Investigations, where available were also recorded. Diseases were grouped according to World Health Organization classification (International Classification of Diseases-10). Causes deaths were analyzed under various medical, sociodemographic and healthcare parameters according to available records. Results: A total of 529 adult deaths occurred during study period. The mean age of the deceased was 54 years. There were 58% males with 13% being unmarried. More than 75% cases belonged to lower socioeconomic status while 55% belonged to urban areas. Almost all (97%) were admitted through casualty department. Hospital stay was less than one hour in 34% and 1-7 days in 52% cases. Death due to diseases of circulatory system was ranked first (33%). A total of sixty deaths occurred due to liver diseases and hepatitis C virus was positive in 39(64%) cases. Proportion of female who died of hypertensive disorders was significantly high (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Both infectious and non infectious diseases are bringing a major death toll in our health setting with circulatory system and liver disease as the leading causes of death in adults. Policy message: Adult mortality can be reduced by controlling infectious and non infectious diseases.

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