A study of certain personal details of adult Nigerian patients presenting for elective general surgery under anesthesia.

500 adult Nigerian patients presenting for elective general surgery under anesthesia were studied with regard to age, sex, obesity, smoking and drinking habits and associated medical diseases. The results showed equal sex distribution with 60% of the patients in the 21-40 years age group. About 30% of the patients (predominantly females) were obese. Smoking and drinking habits were relatively low especially in the females. About 25% of the patients have associated medical disorders of which hypertension and anemia were the commonest. Chronic obstructive lung disease and atherosclerotic heart disease were relatively uncommon. Multiple drug therapy was not a problem in this series.