The elderly represent a growing sector of the Mexican population and they are expected to outgrow the number of youths in the coming years. Musculoskeletal conditions are a major cause of disability among the elders; they affect up to 80%. In Mexico City 36% of the population uses private health care services.
To contribute with epidemiologic data about the frequency of musculoskeletal conditions and their hospital-based treatment in patients ages 65 and over admitted to a private hospital in Mexico City.
Male and female patients ages 65 and over, admitted for a musculoskeletal illness.
390 patients were studied; 276 females and 114 males. The age group 65-69 years was predominant. The predominating musculoskeletal conditions included fractures, which represented 29.4%, and gonarthrosis, 23.30%. Patients were treated surgically accounted for 91.02%.
Among the elderly, chronic conditions are more frequent than acute ones; however, fractures are the most frequent diagnosis. There are no studies in Mexico analyzing the frequency of both, traumatic or degenerative conditions, and their treatment in elderly patients admitted to a private hospital. These results will therefore provide epidemiologic information about our population.