Morbidity pattern of diabetic admissions at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is associated with numerous complications depending on the degree of glycaemic control. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of common diabetic complications associated with the disease. A retrospective study of medical admissions of diabetic patients from January 2009 to December 2011 was conducted. The total number of medical admissions for the period under study was 5862 patients; 853 (14.5%) of whom were diabetic patients. Of the 853 diabetic patients, 326 (38.22%) were males and 527 (61.28%) were females. Their ages ranged from 22 to 85 (mean 56.4+12.7 years).The indications for admission were chronic diabetic complications of which uncontrolled diabetes, neuropathy and diabetic foot ulcers were the commonest. There was a low incidence of
retinopathy (2.5%) and hypoglycaemia (1.8%). The high incidence of leg ulcer/gangrene in diabetics and the possibility of resultant amputation calls for strict glycaemic control with good health education in order to reduce the
risk of development of complications.

Key Words: Morbidity, Diabetic admissions, glycaemic control, Aba, Nigeria.