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Note:

Category of principal diagnosis was classified according to ICD-9 chapter headings using the codes 000 to 799 when present or using the injury/poisoning external cause codes E800-869 E880-929 E950-999. The remainder were classified to either V-codes or the 'other' category. Hospital separations in 1995/96 do not include NSW residents treated in Victoria, South Australia, West Australia or Queensland.

Source:

NSW Health Department Inpatient Statistics Collection (HOIST), Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, NSW Health Department.

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The most common causes of hospitalisation among males in this age group, and the second most common among females, were "V codes", which include symptoms and signs without a specific diagnosis or cause.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal system were the second most common cause of hospitalisation in males in this age group, and the third most common in females. Gastric and duodenal ulcers, oesophagitis and hernias were the leading reasons for admission within this group. The higher number of admissions for males in this group was due to inguinal hernias, which are rare in females.

The next most common cause of admission in males was injury and poisoning. This includes sporting injuries, workplace injuries, injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents and self-inflicted injuries (suicide attempts), all of which are more common in males.

Genitourinary conditions were the next most common cause of hospitalisation in females. These include admission for hysterectomy and for treatment of urinary incontinence.