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Published: 2026-01-09
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.52163/yhc.v66iCD14.4122
Issue
Vol. 66 No. CĐ14-HNKH BV Giao thông Vận tải
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Bình, N. T. T., Huy, T. K., Hiển, N. Q., Thương, D. T., Nhân, N. T., Tú, L. T. C., & Lưu, L. B. (2026). TRENDS IN OUTPATIENT MORBIDITY AT THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF A MILITARY HOSPITAL (2021-2023): RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS IN THE POST COVID-19 CONTEXT. Vietnam Journal of Community Medicine, 66(CĐ14-HNKH BV Giao thông Vận tải). https://doi.org/10.52163/yhc.v66iCD14.4122

TRENDS IN OUTPATIENT MORBIDITY AT THE TRADITIONAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF A MILITARY HOSPITAL (2021-2023): RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS IN THE POST COVID-19 CONTEXT

Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh1, Tang Khanh Huy1, Nguyen Quang Hien1, Duong Thi Thuong2, Nguyen Thanh Nhan3, Le Thi Cam Tu4, Le Bao Luu1
1 Faculty of Traditional Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh city
2 Internal and Gynecology Department, Nghe An Traditional Medicine Hospital
3 Xuan Binh Clinic
4 Hong Bang International University

Main Article Content

Abstract

Objective: To describe year-to-year changes (2021-2023) in demographics and outpatient visit volume at the Traditional Medicine Department, 7A Military Hospital, and to identify shifts in disease composition by ICD-10 chapters, with a focus on musculoskeletal disorders.


Method: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of all 19.587 outpatient records from 1/2021 to 12/2023. Variables collected included age, sex, annual visit counts, ICD-10 diagnoses, and distributions by chapters/common codes. Descriptive analyses were performed; categorical variables were compared using the χ² test with p < 0.05.


Results: Visit volume fell sharply in 2021 (4653), surged in 2022 (7636), and remained high in 2023 (7298). The proportion of patients aged 16-59 years increased significantly (p < 0.001). The disease profile shifted markedly toward Chapter XIII (diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue): from 68.04% (2021) to 77.45% (2022) and 89.65% (2023), while several other chapters declined. At the ICD-10 code level, M53.0 rose from 9.6% to 39.6%, N20.0 more than tripled; M53.1 decreased, whereas M54.4 maintained a high share.


Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 saw outpatient morbidity reshaped, marked by rising musculoskeletal cases and more working-age patients, underscoring the need to prioritize resources and optimize musculoskeletal pain management in specialized traditional medicine services. 

Article Details

Keywords

Outpatient, traditional medicine, musculoskeletal, ICD-10, COVID-19.

References

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