Chronic and Acute Disease Problems in Rural Nursing Home Patients

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Abstract
The patients of a rural nursing home in Iowa, USA, were surveyed according to age and sex, plus chronic and acute disease problems. With use of the International Classification of Health Problems in Primary Care, the diagnoses were organized by major disease category and by specific diagnosis. Of the 66 patients, 76% were 75 or older. Women comprised 61% of the group and men, 39%. Overall, the mean age was 79.1 yr. Senility was the most common diagnosis for chronic diseases and genitourinary infections for acute diseases. Circulatory system disorders comprised the largest category of chronic diseases, whereas genitourinary disorders comprised the largest category of acute diseases. Overall, there were 4.2 chronic disorders per patient. Although the data compare favorably with those in the National Health Survey of nursing homes, more research is needed to prepare medical personnel for the problems associated with a rapidly expanding population of elderly patients.