| Summary: | INTRODUCTION[|]The elderly population is on an increasing trend around the world and constitutes around every one of five admissions in the emergency department (ED). The present study aims to analyse patients according to age who were admitted to ED for chest disease.[¤]METHODS[|]This study was a retrospective and observational study conducted in a state hospital. All adult ED admissions with a pulmonary disease were investigated. Patients were divided into two groups according to their ages as <65 and ≥65. The diagnoses and treatment results were analyzed.[¤]RESULTS[|]Pulmonary patients constituted 6.5% of all admissions. Patients with bronchitis were the youngest, while respiratory failure patients were the oldest. The hospitalization rate was 35% and in 29% a pulmonologist consultation was carried out. In this study, 45% of the admissions were aged ≥65. Elderly patients were more frequently consulted to a pulmonologist (p<0.001) and hospitalized (p<0.001) with a longer hospitalization duration (p=0.048). The group of the elderly patients also demonstrated higher hospital mortality rates (p<0.001).[¤]DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION[|]Pulmonary patients constitute a significant part of ED admissions and the elderly patient population within this population is dense. Elderly patients require more frequent hospitalization and specialist consultation. They require longer treatment duration and have higher mortality rates. All professionals/staff trained and work in the pulmonary health area bear an important level of responsibility for the care of elderly patients.[¤]
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