African journal of medicine and medical sciences
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The elderly are increasingly been hospitalised into medical wards in Nigeria and little information is currently available on this group of patients. The objective of this study was to describe the demographic, clinical characteristics and outcome of management of elderly patients admitted into medical wards at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Ilorin, Nigeria. A retrospective study in which hospital records of patients admitted between years 2001 to 2004 were reviewed. ⋯ They accounted for a significant proportion of in-hospital mortality. Since a third of the death occurred within the first few days of admission, improvement in the management of acute medical cases especially in the elderly is urgent needed. This will ensure survival of greater number of patients and thus reduces mortality.