Pattern of neurological admissions in the tropics: experience at Abakaliki South-Eastern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The pattern of neurological admissions varies amongst different regions of the world and this depends on many factors including the regional burden of neurological disorders. This study determined the pattern of neurological admissions in a tertiary health centre in Abakaliki South Eastern Nigeria and compared it with that from other parts of the country. METHODOLOGY: A review of admissions into the medical wards of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki south- eastern Nigeria from July 2012 to June 2013 was done using the register of admissions and discharges. RESULTS: Out of 1247 patients admitted in medical ward over the study period, 267 (21%) had neurological disorders with mean age of 55.1 ± 20.2 years. There were 154 (58%) males and 113 (42%) females, with a sex ratio of 4:3. Seventy two percent of the patients were between 30 and 69 years. Stroke accounted for 62% (166) of the neurologic admissions. Others were central nervous system (CNS) infections, seizure disorders, hypertensive encephalopathy. myelopathies, CNS tumors and neurodegenerative disorders in descending order of frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of neurological disorders is high with male preponderance in Abakaliki south-eastern Nigeria affecting mainly the productive population. Stroke and CNS infections were the most prevalent neurological disorders identified which are both largely preventable.There should be good health planning that will address the enormous neurological disease burden with emphasis on preventive health.

The prognosis of acute stroke in a tertiary health centre in south-east Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a common neurologic disorder and it is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide after ischaemic heart disease and cancer.This study determined the prognosis of acute stroke in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) South-East Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: It was a retrospective, descriptive and hospital based study conducted in a tertiary health centre in Abakaliki south-east Nigeria. The stroke register of the neurology unit was reviewed and relevant data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: Stroke accounted for 12% of medical death with 24 hour, 7 day and 30 day mortality rates of 5%, 10% and 15% respectively. Factors associated with stroke mortality include advanced age, female sex, extremes of blood pressure, loss of consciousness and haemorrhagic stroke. CONCLUSION: There should be regular health education with emphasis on primary prevention of stroke. Also, stroke patients should be referred early to a stroke unitfor adequate management.