Analysis of Acute Diarrheal Disease in In-Patient Department at a Tertiary Hospital: A Retrospective Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47203/IJCH.2026.v38i03.004Keywords:
acute diarrheal disease, gastroenteritis, seasonality, length of stay, tertiary hospital, IndiaAbstract
Background: Acute diarrheal disease (ADD) remains a frequent cause of preventable morbidity in India. Tertiary hospitals need local, decision-relevant evidence — burden, seasonality, length of stay (LOS) and service concentration (departmental case-load distribution) — to plan beds, staffing, supplies and dehydration care and to support preparedness.
Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed de-identified inpatient records from 23 December 2023 to 20 December 2025 at a 970-bed tertiary-care teaching hospital. ADD cases were identified using expanded diagnosis keywords. Prolonged stay (LOS of 8 inpatient-days or more) was examined using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression, with a strict-versus-broad case-definition sensitivity analysis.
Results: Among 24,100 admissions, 816 were ADD (3.4%). Mean age was 42.4 ± 21.4 years and the sexes were balanced. General Medicine handled 78.1% of cases. Median LOS was 3.0 days; 89.7% were discharged within 7 days and prolonged stay occurred in 84 patients (10.3%). Age group was associated with prolonged stay, but on multivariable analysis documented renal comorbidity was the strongest independent predictor (adjusted odds ratio 3.17, 95% CI 1.91–5.27), whereas the age ≥65 association attenuated (1.66, 0.97–2.84). Dehydration severity was documented in only 48.0% of records. Monsoon contributed 45.8% of admissions.
Conclusions: ADD produced a sustained, seasonal inpatient burden concentrated in General Medicine, with predominantly short stays. Prolonged stay was driven mainly by documented comorbidity, notably renal disease, rather than age alone. The findings support pre-monsoon surge preparation, standardized dehydration documentation, comorbidity-sensitive triage and coding-quality improvement.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Siddalingaiah H S, Harshitha KS, Kavyashree S Pujari (Author)
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