Disease pattern in the elderly.

Analysis of the disease pattern in elderly patients was carried out over a seven-year period (1980-1986) on the medical wards of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 2,676 patients were reviewed. Cardiac, neoplastic and infective diseases accounted for the most common diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment as well as improvement in preventive medicine are suggested ways to a vigorous healthy old age with concomitant reduction of morbidity and mortality in this age group.