[Indications for admitting patients with respiratory conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa]

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory diseases are the cause of a larger number of consultations than any other organ pathology; and general practitioners therefore spend considerable time treating them. The aim of this work was to investigate the indication for admission to hospital in patients with respiratory disease in a Sub-Saharan African context.

Patients: This was a retrospective observational study of the indications for admission to the pneumology department of the University Hospital of Point G. in Bamako, between January 2000 and December 2009. Admission registers were used to verify data recorded in patients' medical records.

Results: Twelve thousand six hundred and forty records were collected; 8621 men and 4019 women, mean age 49±13.5 years. 80.3% of admissions were for respiratory diseases and 19.7% for non-respiratory diseases largely cardiovascular and digestive conditions. The admission diagnosis and definitive diagnoses were dominated by tuberculosis, which made up 67% and 60% of cases respectively (P=0.000). The diagnosis was not specified in 2% of cases.

Conclusion: The reason for admission to the respiratory service varied and included a proportion of non-respiratory diseases. We meet respiratory and non-respiratory affections. Among pulmonary diseases, tuberculosis, bacterial pneumonia and pleurisy are the main reasons for admission.