Pattern of non-communicable diseases among medical admissions in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pattern of non-communicable diseases in the medical wards of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), over four consecutive years (June 2000 to June 2004). METHODS The study was retrospective and data were obtained from the medical registers in the medical wards and the records department of the UPTH. Medical admissions due to non-communicable diseases were carefully selected and analyzed. RESULTS There were 1853 cases of various non-communicable diseases out of a total medical admission of 3294 constituting 56.2% of total medical admissions. Diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine and renal systems were the most prevalent constituting 35.7%, 18.5% and 16.8% respectively. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure were the most common cardiovascular, endocrine and renal disorders respectively CONCLUSION Non-communicable diseases are a major cause of morbidity in Port Harcourt. There is need for adequate health education and lifestyle modification to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.