[Analysis of causes of death in patients hospitalized in the department of pneumonology]

Abstract

The number of deaths (188 in total; 102 male, 86 female) noted in the Department of Pneumonology, Medical University of Warsaw in 2010 was the highest in the University Hospital. The mortality rate was 4.7% and this ranked us fifth in our hospital. The aim of the study was to analyze the causes of death and the incidence of comorbidities known to influence the overall mortality in the hospital setting.

Material and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of 188 patients who had died in our Department in 2010.

Results: The three leading causes of death in our patients were: respiratory diseases (pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), neoplasmas and cardiovascular diseases (cardiac failure)--35.1, 33.5 and 20.2%, respectively. The mean age of the deceased patients was 77.1 yrs. A high degree of disease severity and a notable comorbidity was noted.

Conclusions: The analysis confirmed that the main factors responsible for the deaths at the hospital are: advanced patient age, severity of underlying disease and comorbidity. The most common cause of death was pneumonia, cancer and heart failure.