Features of elderly urban population morbidity seeking for medical aid in out-patient clinics and polyclinics in Kazan

Aim. To assess the morbidity of elderly patients according to 3-year data of patient’s visits to out-patient clinics and polyclinics in Kazan. Methods. 250 patients’ charts were randomly picked at out-patient clinics and polyclinics in Kazan, containing data about diseases, forcing to seek for medical care from 2008 to 2010. Logical and system analysis, statistical grouping, a comparison method were applied. Results. The morbidity rate in elderly people according to the 3-year data was 7332.0 by 1000. Thus, every elderly patient had visited a doctor 2.4 times a year on average. The number of consultations with exacerbation of chronic diseases was 3.7 times more frequent compared to acute diseases. Most frequent reasons for seeking medical advice were cardiovascular diseases, with urogenital diseases on the second place and gastrointestinal diseases on the third place. Respiratory diseases and neoplasms were on the fourth and fifth places, respectively. Studying the number of visits depending on employment showed that it was significantly lower in employed elderly patients, and higher in employed females and unemployed males. Conclusion. The change of approaches to the management of elderly out-patients is needed, considering not only gender and sex differences, but also employment.

aging, elderly, morbidity, employment