Objective

Estimating the frequency of genetic orphan diseases in Cartagena de Indias (Colombia).

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was carried out employing data from the Health Care Service Individual Records (RIPS) of 2003-2010, kept by the District Administrative Department of Health-DADIS- in Cartagena de Indias. Genetic ODs included in national classification from Colombian Ministry of Health were chosen, and those identify by the Q reference according to the International Codes of Disease (ICD10) were finally selected for descriptive analysis.

Results

A total of 522 181 people who consulted the health system were recorded. 0.8 % (n=16 527) had a diagnosis Q. Finally, 391 people (0.075 %) had diagnostic impression of genetic OD. Within this population, 75 different diagnostic impressions were found. Congenital malformations and deformities of the musculoskeletal system (Q65-Q79) were the most frequent (38.6 %), followed by Other Congenital Malformations (Q080-089) with 16.6 %.

Conclusions

It was obtained the first report of the frequency of genetic orphan diseases from the second largest on the Colombian Caribbean coast city. It is suspected that misreporting in RIPS database is reducing actual frequency of OD. Further active search could reveal complete prevalence.