Non-cigarette tobacco use and stroke among West Africans: evidence from the SIREN study.

INTRODUCTION: Non-cigarette tobacco (NCT) represents a form of tobacco use with a misperceived significance in chronic disease events. Whether NCT use is sufficient to promote stroke events, especially among Africans, is yet to be understood. This study assessed the relationship between NCT use and stroke among indigenous Africans. METHODS: A total of 7,617 respondents (NCT users: 41 vs. non-NCT: 7576) from the Stroke Investigation Research and Educational Network study were included in the current analysis. NCT use was defined as self-reported use of smoked (cigars or piper) or smokeless (snuff or chewed) tobacco in the past year preceding stroke events. Stroke was defined based on clinical presentation and confirmed with a cranial CT/MRI. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the relationship between NCT and stroke at p<0.05. RESULTS: Out of the 41 (0.54%) who reported NCT use, 27 (65.9%) reported using smokeless NCT. NCT users were older than non-smokers (62.8±15.7 vs 57.7±14.8 years). Overall, NCT use was associated with first-ever stroke (OR: 2.08; 95%CI: 1.02, 4.23) in the entire sample. Notably, smokeless NCT use was independently associated with higher odds of stroke (OR: 2.74; 95%CI: 1.15, 6.54), but smoked NCT use (OR: 0.16; 95%CI: 0.02, 1.63) presented a statistically insignificant association after adjusting for hypertension and other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: NCT use was associated with higher odds of stroke, and public health interventions targeting NCT use might be promising in reducing the burden of stroke among indigenous Africans. IMPLICATIONS: A detailed understanding of the relationship between NCT use and stroke will likely inform well-articulated policy guidance to promote evidence-based recommendations for public health prevention and management of stroke on the African continent.

Stroke and dyslipidaemia in Africa: a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is an acute neurological disorder characterized by an abrupt reduction in blood flow to the brain, spinal cord, or retina. There is a complex relationship between stroke and dyslipidaemia. The objective of the study was to determine the likelihood of dyslipidaemia in African stroke patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control studies to determine the odds ratio of dyslipidaemia among stroke patients in Africa. It followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The sources of data included Google Scholar, PubMed, SCOPUS, African Journal Online (AJOL), Research Square, SciELO, and medRxiv databases. The case-control studies eligible were conducted in Africa. The meta-analysis was carried out with Meta XL version 5.3, using the random effect model. RESULTS: Ten studies met the eligibility criteria and the total sample size was 9599. The odds ratio of dyslipidaemia in all stroke cases in Africa was 1.61 (95% CI: 1.28-2.03) while that of ischaemic stroke and haemorrhagic stroke are 1.27 (0.54-2.98) and 1.71 (1.43-2.05) respectively. CONCLUSION: Although not particularly substantial, there is an association between dyslipidaemia and stroke in Africa.

Dementia in Africa: Current evidence, knowledge gaps, and future directions.

In tandem with the ever-increasing aging population in low and middle-income countries, the burden of dementia is rising on the African continent. Dementia prevalence varies from 2.3% to 20.0% and incidence rates are 13.3 per 1000 person-years with increasing mortality in parts of rapidly transforming Africa. Differences in nutrition, cardiovascular factors, comorbidities, infections, mortality, and detection likely contribute to lower incidence. Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated neurocognitive disorders are the most common dementia subtypes. Comprehensive longitudinal studies with robust methodology and regional coverage would provide more reliable information. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is most studied but has shown differential effects within African ancestry compared to Caucasian. More candidate gene and genome-wide association studies are needed to relate to dementia phenotypes. Validated culture-sensitive cognitive tools not influenced by education and language differences are critically needed for implementation across multidisciplinary groupings such as the proposed African Dementia Consortium.

Quality of stroke guidelines in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify gaps in national stroke guidelines that could be bridged to enhance the quality of stroke care services in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: We systematically searched medical databases and websites of medical societies and contacted international organizations. Country-specific guidelines on care and control of stroke in any language published from 2010 to 2020 were eligible for inclusion. We reviewed each included guideline for coverage of four key components of stroke services (surveillance, prevention, acute care and rehabilitation). We also assessed compliance with the eight Institute of Medicine standards for clinical practice guidelines, the ease of implementation of guidelines and plans for dissemination to target audiences. FINDINGS: We reviewed 108 eligible guidelines from 47 countries, including four low-income, 24 middle-income and 19 high-income countries. Globally, fewer of the guidelines covered primary stroke prevention compared with other components of care, with none recommending surveillance. Guidelines on stroke in low- and middle-income countries fell short of the required standards for guideline development; breadth of target audience; coverage of the four components of stroke services; and adaptation to socioeconomic context. Fewer low- and middle-income country guidelines demonstrated transparency than those from high-income countries. Less than a quarter of guidelines encompassed detailed implementation plans and socioeconomic considerations. CONCLUSION: Guidelines on stroke in low- and middle-income countries need to be developed in conjunction with a wider category of health-care providers and stakeholders, with a full spectrum of translatable, context-appropriate interventions.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome in Nigerian women with epilepsy on carbamazepine/levetiracetam monotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The study is aimed at comparing effects of older drugs like carbamazepine (CBZ) and newer agent like levetiracetam (LEV) on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women with epilepsy (WWE). METHODS: An interviewer-based questionnaire was used to obtain relevant clinical information from 50 WWE on CBZ and LEV monotherapy, respectively, and 50 age-matched controls. The diagnosis of epilepsy was clinical with electroencephalographic features taken into consideration and the seizures classified using the 2017 International League Against Epilepsy classification. The diagnosis of PCOS was based on the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology/American Society for Reproductive Medicine. RESULTS: The frequency of PCOS and its subcomponent were higher among WWE compare to controls. PCOS was present in 22 (44%) of LEV group compare to 8 (16%) CBZ group. The frequency of its subcomponent was higher among those on LEV except for comparable effect with regard to oligomenorrhea. The levels of the sex steroid hormone were comparable in both groups of WWE except luteal phase luteinizing hormone, which was lower among the LEV group (P .001). The follicular phase estradiol level was lower (P .021), and follicle-stimulating hormone level was about 2-fold higher (P .03) among WWE compare to controls. The mean value testosterone was significantly lower among controls compared to WWE. CONCLUSIONS: The increased frequency of PCOS and its subcomponent and the unsatisfactory effect of LEV compared to CBZ on reproductive endocrine function underscore the need for routine reproductive endocrine evaluation to improve overall quality of life.

A Novel Afrocentric Stroke Risk Assessment Score: Models from the Siren Study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke risk can be quantified using risk factors whose effect sizes vary by geography and race. No stroke risk assessment tool exists to estimate aggregate stroke risk for indigenous African. OBJECTIVES: To develop Afrocentric risk-scoring models for stroke occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 3533 radiologically confirmed West African stroke cases paired 1:1 with age-, and sex-matched stroke-free controls in the SIREN study. The 7,066 subjects were randomly split into a training and testing set at the ratio of 85:15. Conditional logistic regression models were constructed by including 17 putative factors linked to stroke occurrence using the training set. Significant risk factors were assigned constant and standardized statistical weights based on regression coefficients (ß) to develop an additive risk scoring system on a scale of 0-100%. Using the testing set, Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves were constructed to obtain a total score to serve as cut-off to discriminate between cases and controls. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) at this cut-off. RESULTS: For stroke occurrence, we identified 15 traditional vascular factors. Cohen's kappa for validity was maximal at a total risk score of 56% using both statistical weighting approaches to risk quantification and in both datasets. The risk score had a predictive accuracy of 76% (95%CI: 74-79%), sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 63.0%, PPV of 68.5% and NPV of 76.2% in the test dataset. For ischemic strokes, 12 risk factors had predictive accuracy of 78% (95%CI: 74-81%). For hemorrhagic strokes, 7 factors had a predictive accuracy of 79% (95%CI: 73-84%). CONCLUSIONS: The SIREN models quantify aggregate stroke risk in indigenous West Africans with good accuracy. Prospective studies are needed to validate this instrument for stroke prevention.

Association between white matter hyperintensities and stroke in a West African patient population: Evidence from the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network study.

BACKGROUND: This study is part of the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN), the largest study of stroke patients in Africa to date, with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data for each patient to confirm stroke. Prior imaging studies performed using high-field MR (≥1.5T) have shown that white matter hyperintensities (WMH), signs of microangiopathy in the subcortical brain, are correlated with many stroke risk factors as well as poor stroke outcomes. The aim of this study was the evaluation of MR images (0.3T-1.5T) from the SIREN study to determine associations between WMH volumes in West African patients and both stroke outcomes and stroke risk factors identified in the SIREN study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brain MR images of 130 Western African stroke patients (age â€‹= â€‹57.87 â€‹± â€‹14.22) were processed through Lesion Segmentation Toolbox of the Statistical Parametric Mapping software to extract all areas of hyperintensity in the brain. WMH was separated from stroke lesion hyperintensity and WMH volume was computed and summed. A stepwise linear regression and multivariate analysis was performed between patients' WMH volume and sociodemographic and clinical indices. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that high WMH volume was statistically significantly positively correlated with age (ߠ​= â€‹0.44, p â€‹= â€‹0.001), waist/hip ratio (ߠ​= â€‹0.22, p â€‹= â€‹0.03), and platelet count (ߠ​= â€‹0.19, p â€‹= â€‹0.04) after controlling for head size in a Western African stroke population. CONCLUSION: Associations between WMH and age and waist/hip ratio previously identified in Western countries were demonstrated for the first time in a resource-limited, homogeneous black African community using low-field MR scanners.

Sexual dysfunction among Nigerian women with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: Sexual dysfunction (SD) has been shown to be more prevalent among females with epilepsy (FWE) when compared with controls. Identified risk factors for SD among FWE include depression, antiepileptic drug (AED) type, epileptic lateralization, and temporal lobe involvement. Despite a huge population of FWE in sub-Saharan Africa and by extension Nigeria, there are limited studies on the effect of AEDs and epilepsy on sexual function among FWE in the region. We therefore studied predictors and patterns of SD among Nigerian FWE. METHOD: This was a descriptive study carried out at the University College Hospital, Oyo State - a tertiary hospital in South-Western Nigeria. The Zung Self-rating Depression Scale was used to assess mood. Sexual dysfunction was measured using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) questionnaire. RESULTS: The frequency of clinically significant SD among FWE (35, 50.0%) was similar to that of controls (27, 38.6%; p = 0.173). However, the mean ASEX score was higher in FWE than in controls (p = 0.009). Using domains defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - 5th Edition (DSM-V), we observed that FWE had higher scores in all domains. Sexual dysfunction was also more prevalent among FWE with lesional epilepsy when compared with those with nonlesional epilepsy. Standardized beta coefficients from multiple regressions conducted suggest that age of FWE, the presence of motor weakness, and systolic blood pressure contributed to SD. SIGNIFICANCE: Females with epilepsy had higher ASEX scores in all domains, with older FWE and those with lesional epilepsy more likely to have SD. Healthcare providers should pay attention to SD among FWE for improved quality of life.

Trends in the histopathology of childhood nephrotic syndrome in Ibadan Nigeria: preponderance of idiopathic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Reports on the histopathology of childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) had emanated from our Centre since the 1960s and by the late 1980s and early 1990s, a change was observed and reported. Taking into consideration the worldwide changing trend in the histopathology of the NS and our Unit policy change in the indications for renal biopsy, a change was envisaged. We therefore evaluated the current histologic pattern of childhood NS in Ibadan with the view to highlighting any variations from the past and comparing the findings with regional and global trends. METHODOLOGY: We reviewed our database and analyzed the renal biopsy findings in patients who were biopsied before treatment was administered between 1997 and 2001 and those with mostly idiopathic steroid resistant NS (SRNS) and secondary NS, managed between 2006 and 2013. A comparative analysis of the findings from the present study was carried out with two previous reports from our Unit in the 1970s and early 1990s and also with reports from other Centres. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients had successful biopsies done during the study period in children aged between 2 ½ and 16 years. In both pre-treatment biopsy era (1997-2001) and post-treatment biopsy era (2006-2013), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) predominated. 75 % of the patients had idiopathic NS and among the patients that had idiopathic steroid resistant NS, FSGS was the most common followed by MPGN. For secondary NS, MCD was the most common but could be the early stages of either membranous nephropathy (MN) or FSGS. Chronic pyelonephritis and chronic interstitial nephritis occurred in 25 % of the study population but they were more prevalent in secondary nephrotic syndrome. CONCLUSION: FSGS is the most common histopathology in children requiring renal biopsy in Ibadan presently. FSGS is also the most common histopathology in idiopathic SRNS, which is in keeping with reports from most parts of the world. There has been a transition from the preponderance of Quartan Malarial Nephropathy (QMN) in the 1960s to MPGN in the 1980s to FSGS presently. This has great implications with regards to searching for new aetiologic factors, providing more efficacious treatment modalities and ensuring facilities for immunofluorescence, electron microscopic and genetic studies.

Challenges in the Management of Narcolepsy in a Resource Limited Setting: A Case Report.

The management of Narcolepsy, from the initial presentation to the long-term management and follow-up, remains a challenging endeavor, especially in developing climes. Worldwide, it has been recognized as a medical condition that is frequently associated with initial misdiagnoses, and delays in definitive management, further highlighted, in resource-limited settings like Nigeria where issues are further compounded by social, cultural, and political factors. In this report, we aim to shed some light on the peculiar challenges encountered by clinicians in Nigeria, and in other similar settings, in the process of diagnosis and management of narcolepsy. We present a case of a 17-year-old male teenager with Narcolepsy Type 1 (NT1) who had been previously managed as a case of Juvenile Absence Epilepsy in various centers prior to presentation at our facility. The symptoms began two years prior to presentation at our outpatient clinic, and they were excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis. The symptoms were corroborated by laboratory parameters - reduced mean sleep latency (conducted in an improvised sleep laboratory), and a low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin level. The patient was initially placed on Modafinil for excessive daytime sleepiness and a trial of Fluoxetine for the Cataplexy. However, due to the scarcity of Modafinil, behavioral modifications - scheduled sleep naps and sleep hygiene - were eventually employed. Narcolepsy is a debilitating illness, and consequently, the far-reaching effects of these challenges must be understood. It is important that concerted efforts be made towards improving the overall quality of care received by patients from the early identification to the treatment of narcolepsy in the Nigerian healthcare system.

Novel functional insights into ischemic stroke biology provided by the first genome-wide association study of stroke in indigenous Africans.

BACKGROUND: African ancestry populations have the highest burden of stroke worldwide, yet the genetic basis of stroke in these populations is obscure. The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) is a multicenter study involving 16 sites in West Africa. We conducted the first-ever genome-wide association study (GWAS) of stroke in indigenous Africans. METHODS: Cases were consecutively recruited consenting adults (aged > 18 years) with neuroimaging-confirmed ischemic stroke. Stroke-free controls were ascertained using a locally validated Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status. DNA genotyping with the H3Africa array was performed, and following initial quality control, GWAS datasets were imputed into the NIH Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) release2 from BioData Catalyst. Furthermore, we performed fine-mapping, trans-ethnic meta-analysis, and in silico functional characterization to identify likely causal variants with a functional interpretation. RESULTS: We observed genome-wide significant (P-value < 5.0E-8) SNPs associations near AADACL2 and miRNA (MIR5186) genes in chromosome 3 after adjusting for hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiac status in the base model as covariates. SNPs near the miRNA (MIR4458) gene in chromosome 5 were also associated with stroke (P-value < 1.0E-6). The putative genes near AADACL2, MIR5186, and MIR4458 genes were protective and novel. SNPs associations with stroke in chromosome 2 were more than 77 kb from the closest gene LINC01854 and SNPs in chromosome 7 were more than 116 kb to the closest gene LINC01446 (P-value < 1.0E-6). In addition, we observed SNPs in genes STXBP5-AS1 (chromosome 6), GALTN9 (chromosome 12), FANCA (chromosome 16), and DLGAP1 (chromosome 18) (P-value < 1.0E-6). Both genomic regions near genes AADACL2 and MIR4458 remained significant following fine mapping. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings identify potential roles of regulatory miRNA, intergenic non-coding DNA, and intronic non-coding RNA in the biology of ischemic stroke. These findings reveal new molecular targets that promise to help close the current gaps in accurate African ancestry-based genetic stroke's risk prediction and development of new targeted interventions to prevent or treat stroke.

Clinical and neuroimaging factors associated with 30-day fatality among indigenous West Africans with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with a high case fatality rate in resource-limited settings. The independent predictors of poor outcome after ICH in sub-Saharan Africa remains to be characterized in large epidemiological studies. We aimed to determine factors associated with 30-day fatality among West African patients with ICH. METHODS: The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) study is a multicentre, case-control study conducted at 15 sites in Nigeria and Ghana. Adults aged ≥18 years with spontaneous ICH confirmed with neuroimaging. Demographic, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical features and neuroimaging markers of severity were assessed. The independent risk factors for 30-day mortality were determined using a multivariate logistic regression analysis with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Among 964 patients with ICH, 590 (61.2%) were males with a mean age (SD) of 54.3(13.6) years and a case fatality of 34.3%. Factors associated with 30-day mortality among ICH patients include: Elevated mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(mNIHSS);(OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.11), aspiration pneumonitis; (OR 7.17; 95% CI 2.82-18.24), ICH volume > 30mls; OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.02-7.00)) low consumption of leafy vegetables (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.15-0.85). CONCLUSION: This study identified risk and protective factors associated with 30-day mortality among West Africans with spontaneous ICH. These factors should be further investigated in other populations in Africa to enable the development of ICH mortality predictions models among indigenous Africans.

Skin Manifestations of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder With Secondary Systemic Lupus Erythematosus During Pregnancy: A Three-Year Follow-Up.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a disease of the central nervous system and the optic nerves that disproportionately affects women and occasionally coexists with other autoimmune diseases. NMOSD manifesting as skin lesions is a rare phenomenon. Furthermore, these skin lesions in the setting of NMOSD during pregnancy have not been described. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman from sub-Saharan Africa who presented with initial recurrent skin lesions followed by paraparesis during her second trimester of pregnancy. Her next pregnancy was associated with sudden vision loss. She had positive serology for aquaporin-4 antibodies and subsequently developed a positive dsDNA antibody two years after the initial NMOSD diagnosis. Her skin lesions and symptoms improved following the administration of azathioprine. This case highlights the impact of pregnancy on NMOSD and the significance of a heightened level of suspicion for NMOSD in patients who exhibit recurring skin lesions preceding paraparesis events.

Determinants of First-Ever Stroke Severity in West Africans: Evidence From the SIREN Study.

Background Baseline stroke severity is probably partly responsible for poor stroke outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is a paucity of information on determinants of stroke severity among indigenous Africans. We sought to identify the factors associated with stroke severity among West Africans in the SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Networks) study. Methods and Results Stroke was diagnosed clinically and confirmed with brain neuroimaging. Severe stroke was defined as a Stroke Levity Scale score of ≤5. A multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to identify factors associated with stroke severity at 95% CI and a nominal cutoff of 5% type 1 error. A total of 3660 stroke cases were included. Overall, 50.7%% had severe stroke, including 47.6% of all ischemic strokes and 56.1% of intracerebral hemorrhage. Factors independently associated with severe stroke were meat consumption (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.97 [95% CI, 1.43-2.73]), low vegetable consumption (aOR, 2.45 [95% CI, 1.93-3.12]), and lesion volume, with an aOR of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.03-2.72) for lesion volume of 10 to 30 cm3 and aOR of 3.88 (95% CI, 1.93-7.81) for lesion volume >30 cm3. Severe ischemic stroke was independently associated with total anterior circulation infarction (aOR, 3.1 [95% CI, 1.5-6.9]), posterior circulation infarction (aOR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1-4.2]), and partial anterior circulation infarction (aOR, 2.0 [95% CI, 1.2-3.3]) compared with lacunar stroke. Increasing age (aOR, 2.6 [95% CI, 1.3-5.2]) and lesion volume >30 cm3 (aOR, 6.2 [95% CI, 2.0-19.3]) were independently associated with severe intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusions Severe stroke is common among indigenous West Africans, where modifiable dietary factors are independently associated with it. These factors could be targeted to reduce the burden of severe stroke.

Global synergistic actions to improve brain health for human development.

The global burden of neurological disorders is substantial and increasing, especially in low-resource settings. The current increased global interest in brain health and its impact on population wellbeing and economic growth, highlighted in the World Health Organization's new Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders 2022-2031, presents an opportunity to rethink the delivery of neurological services. In this Perspective, we highlight the global burden of neurological disorders and propose pragmatic solutions to enhance neurological health, with an emphasis on building global synergies and fostering a 'neurological revolution' across four key pillars - surveillance, prevention, acute care and rehabilitation - termed the neurological quadrangle. Innovative strategies for achieving this transformation include the recognition and promotion of holistic, spiritual and planetary health. These strategies can be deployed through co-design and co-implementation to create equitable and inclusive access to services for the promotion, protection and recovery of neurological health in all human populations across the life course.

Primary stroke prevention worldwide: translating evidence into action.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide and its burden is increasing rapidly in low-income and middle-income countries, many of which are unable to face the challenges it imposes. In this Health Policy paper on primary stroke prevention, we provide an overview of the current situation regarding primary prevention services, estimate the cost of stroke and stroke prevention, and identify deficiencies in existing guidelines and gaps in primary prevention. We also offer a set of pragmatic solutions for implementation of primary stroke prevention, with an emphasis on the role of governments and population-wide strategies, including task-shifting and sharing and health system re-engineering. Implementation of primary stroke prevention involves patients, health professionals, funders, policy makers, implementation partners, and the entire population along the life course.

Determinants of metabolic syndrome and its prognostic implications among stroke patients in Africa: Findings from the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) study.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic implications of metabolic syndrome (METS) among African stroke patients are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of METS and its prognostic implications among Africans with newly diagnosed stroke in the SIREN study. METHODS: We included stroke cases (adults aged >18 years with CT/MRI confirmed stroke). The validated tools comprehensively evaluated vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs for the association between METS and risk factors. We also computed the prediction power of the domain of covariates in a sequential manner using the area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) curve. RESULTS: Among 3998 stroke subjects enrolled in the study, 76.8% had METS by at least one of the clinical definitions. Factors associated with METS were age > 50 years (OR- 1.46, CI-1.19-1.80), male gender (OR 4.06, CI- 3.28-5.03), income >100USD (OR1.42, CI-1.17-1.71), stress (OR1.46, CI-1.14-1.87), family history of diabetes mellitus (OR1.38, CI-1.06-1.78), and cardiac disease (OR1.42, CI-1.18-1.65). Stroke severity was higher among those with METS (SLS = 5.8 ± 4.3) compared with those without METS (6.2 ± 4.5) at p = 0.037. METS was associated with higher odds (aOR 1.31, CI-1.08-1.58) of one-month fatality after adjusting for stroke severity, age > 50 years, and average monthly income >100USD. CONCLUSION: METS is very common among African stroke patients and is associated with stroke severity and worse one-month fatality. Lifestyle interventions may prevent METS and attenuate its impact on stroke occurrence and outcomes.

Secondhand smoke exposure is independently associated with stroke among non-smoking adults in West Africa.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide, but little is known about the contribution of secondhand smoke exposure (SHSE) to stroke epidemiology among indigenous Africans. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of SHSE with stroke among indigenous Africans. METHODS: We analyzed the relationship of SHSE with stroke among 2990 case-control pairs of adults who had never smoked (identified in the SIREN study) using conditional logistic regression at a two-sided P < 0.05. RESULTS: Multivariable-adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval; 1.25 (1.04, 1.50; P = 0.02) revealed SHSE was positively associated with stroke independent of stroke subtypes. CONCLUSION: Culturally relevant primary prevention strategies targeted at SHSE might be promising in preventing stroke among Africans.

Cognitive dysfunction in Nigerian women with epilepsy on carbamazepine and levetiracetam monotherapy.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to identify the determinants of cognitive dysfunction and compare the effect of CPZ and LTC on cognition in WWE. METHODS: An observational study involving 87 consenting adult WWE aged between 16 and 40 years on LTC or CZP monotherapy. At enrollment, an interviewer-based questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical information from participants. The diagnosis of epilepsy was mainly clinical and supported by electroencephalographic (EEG) features and classified based on recommendation by the 2017 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Zung Self-Reporting Depression Scale (ZSRDS) was used to assess the mood of participants. The Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) was used to assess various cognition domains. The National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS-3) was used to assess disease severity. RESULTS: There were statistical differences between the CZP and LTC groups in all domains of cognition assessed except for orientation. The total CSID scores of the LTC group were 59.2 (4.9) as opposed to CZP group, 57.2 (5.0); p: .005. Those with focal onset seizures had lower median total CSID score (58; IQR: 54-62) when compared to those with generalized onset seizures (62; IQR: 58-62), p: .012. There was a significant correlation between ZSRD score and NHS-3 score; rho: 0.30, p: .007. Bivariate analysis shows statistically significant correlation between total CSID score and ZSRDS (rho: -0.65), BMI (rho: 0.22), and NHSS-3 score (rho: -0.36), respectively. However, the effect of AED on CSID scores was lost after multivariate quantile regression with only ZSRDS retaining significance. CONCLUSION: Depression, seizure severity, type and structural etiology were associated with cognitive impairment among WWE. However, on regression model, only depression was statistically significant. The presence of more risks for cognitive impairment in the CZP group limits possible conclusion of LTC superiority.