Epidemiology and Burden of Infectious Diseases in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Infectious diseases remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Tertiary care hospitals face increasing challenges from antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections, necessitating localized epidemiological data for effective management. The study aimed to determine the epidemiology and clinical burden of infectious diseases at Bakhtawar Amin Hospital, Multan, Pakistan, identifying high-risk populations, seasonal trends, and predictors of mortality. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January 2023 to December 2024. A total of 334 adult inpatients with confirmed infectious diseases were included. Data were extracted from medical records using ICD-10 codes. Variables included demographics, diagnosis, seasonality, antimicrobial use and outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The mean age was 48.6 ± 16.4 years; 54.8% were male. Respiratory tract infections (34.4%) were most common, followed by urinary tract (18.6%) and gastrointestinal infections (13.2%). Summer saw the highest admissions (31.1%), while winter showed peak respiratory illness (42.6%). Nosocomial infections accounted for 21.3% of cases. Antimicrobial use was high, with 22.5% of isolates being multidrug-resistant. Mortality was 16.2%, with age >60 years and diabetes as independent predictors of death. Conclusion: Infectious diseases significantly burden tertiary care services, especially among older adults and diabetics. Targeted infection control, antimicrobial stewardship, and surveillance are critical to mitigating this burden.