The prevalance of orthopedic disabilities in the district of Çay, Afyon, Turkey
Abstract
Methods: A two-stage field study was conducted in Çay, a district of Afyon, Turkey. In the first stage, a list of all individuals with orthopedic disabilities was derived. Then, medical histories were elicited and examinations were made by a team of specialists of orthopedics and traumatology. Radiographic studies were made when necessary. Orthopedic disabilities were defined as any muscle or skeletal abnormality that was associated with a permanent functional loss and were classified as congenital, traumatic, cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, and other causes.
Results: The overall population was 35,571, of whom 189 had orthopedic disabilities (53/10,000). The male-tofemale ratio was 1.8. The most common cause was congenital diseases (25.9%; 13.7/10,000), followed by trauma (23.8%; 12.6/10,000), cerebral palsy (21.7%; 11.5/10,000), poliomyelitis (10.1%; 5.3/10,000), and others (18.5%; 9.8/10,000). The lowest mean age (19±5 years) was found in those with cerebral palsy, which was associated with the highest degree of functional loss. The mean age in patients with poliomyelitis was 29±7 years. It was found that 37% of the disabled could benefit from either a limited or extensive surgical intervention, and 9% could have significant improvement both in functional ability and life quality through physical therapy or the use of a prosthesis/orthosis. Only 18% were under the coverage of a health insurance, though.
Conclusions: The data of this study may throw some new light on the prevalence and implications of orthopedic disabilities in Turkey.
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Gokhan Maralcan
This is me
İlhami Kuru
This is me
Umit Aydin
This is me
Levent Altinel
This is me
Mehmet Bozan
This is me
Hulya Ellidokuz
This is me
Publication Date
September 11, 2006
Submission Date
March 7, 2014
Acceptance Date
-
Published in Issue
Year 2004 Volume: 38 Number: 5