Tobacco use and risk of acute stroke in 32 countries in the INTERSTROKE study: a case­control study

BACKGROUND Smoking is a major risk factor for the global burden of stroke. We have previously reported a global population attributable risk (PAR) of stroke of 12.4% associated with current smoking. In this study we aimed to explore the association of current tobacco use with different types of tobacco exposure and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on the risk of stroke and stroke subtypes, and by regions and country income levels. METHODS The INTERSTROKE study is a case­control study of acute first stroke and was undertaken with 13,462 stroke cases and 13,488 controls recruited between January 11, 2007 and August 8, 2015 in 32 countries worldwide. Association of risk of tobacco use and ETS exposure were analysed with overall stroke, ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and with TOAST etiological stroke subtypes (large vessel, small vessel, cardioembolism, and undetermined). FINDINGS Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of all stroke (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% CI 1.46­1.84), and had a stronger association with ischemic stroke (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.61­2.11) than ICH (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.00­1.41). The OR and PAR of stroke among current smokers varied significantly between regions and income levels with high income countries (HIC) having the highest odds (OR 3.02 95% CI 2.24­4.10) and PAR (18.6%, 15.1­22.8%). Among etiological subtypes of ischemic stroke, the strongest association of current smoking was seen for large vessel stroke (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.63­2.87) and undetermined cause (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.55­2.50). Both filtered (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.50­1.99) and non-filtered (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.79­3.77) cigarettes were associated with stroke risk. ETS exposure increased the risk of stroke in a dose-dependent manner, exposure for more than 10 h per week increased risk for all stroke (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.69­2.27), ischemic stroke (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.59­2.24) and ICH (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.60­2.50). INTERPRETATION There are significant variations in the magnitude of risk and PAR of stroke according to the types of tobacco used, active and ETS exposure, and countries with different income levels. Specific strategies to discourage tobacco use by any form and to build a smoke free environment should be implemented to ease the global burden of stroke. FUNDING The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Stroke Network, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, The Health & Medical Care Committee of the Regional Executive Board, Region Västra Götaland, and through unrestricted grants from several pharmaceutical companies with major contributions from Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada), Pfizer (Canada), MERCK, Sharp and Dohme, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, UK Chest, and UK Heart and Stroke.

Tobacco use and risk of acute stroke in 32 countries in the INTERSTROKE study: a case-control study.

Background: Smoking is a major risk factor for the global burden of stroke. We have previously reported a global population attributable risk (PAR) of stroke of 12.4% associated with current smoking. In this study we aimed to explore the association of current tobacco use with different types of tobacco exposure and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure on the risk of stroke and stroke subtypes, and by regions and country income levels. Methods: The INTERSTROKE study is a case-control study of acute first stroke and was undertaken with 13,462 stroke cases and 13,488 controls recruited between January 11, 2007 and August 8, 2015 in 32 countries worldwide. Association of risk of tobacco use and ETS exposure were analysed with overall stroke, ischemic and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and with TOAST etiological stroke subtypes (large vessel, small vessel, cardioembolism, and undetermined). Findings: Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of all stroke (odds ratio [OR] 1.64, 95% CI 1.46-1.84), and had a stronger association with ischemic stroke (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.61-2.11) than ICH (OR 1.19 95% CI 1.00-1.41). The OR and PAR of stroke among current smokers varied significantly between regions and income levels with high income countries (HIC) having the highest odds (OR 3.02 95% CI 2.24-4.10) and PAR (18.6%, 15.1-22.8%). Among etiological subtypes of ischemic stroke, the strongest association of current smoking was seen for large vessel stroke (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.63-2.87) and undetermined cause (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.55-2.50). Both filtered (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.50-1.99) and non-filtered (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.79-3.77) cigarettes were associated with stroke risk. ETS exposure increased the risk of stroke in a dose-dependent manner, exposure for more than 10 h per week increased risk for all stroke (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.69-2.27), ischemic stroke (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.59-2.24) and ICH (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.60-2.50). Interpretation: There are significant variations in the magnitude of risk and PAR of stroke according to the types of tobacco used, active and ETS exposure, and countries with different income levels. Specific strategies to discourage tobacco use by any form and to build a smoke free environment should be implemented to ease the global burden of stroke. Funding: The Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Stroke Network, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, The Health & Medical Care Committee of the Regional Executive Board, Region Västra Götaland, and through unrestricted grants from several pharmaceutical companies with major contributions from Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada), Pfizer (Canada), MERCK, Sharp and Dohme, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, UK Chest, and UK Heart and Stroke.

THE EARLY PHYSICIANS OF IBADAN MEDICAL SCHOOL: PROFESSOR ALEXANDER BROWN.

The paper chronicles the life and times of Professor Alexander Brown, the Foundation Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The official opening of the University College Ibadan, Nigeria on 20 November 1957 as well as the graduation of the first set of clinical students in 1960 were glorious moments for Alexander Brown who laboured for 12years to witness these. He was also instrumental to the creation of the Department of Paediatrics (1962), Department of Radiology (1963) and the Medical Illustration unit of the hospital. Paediatrics and Radiology were initially units in the Department of Medicine. He played significant role in the development of postgraduate programmes in Cardiology, neuropsychiatry and nephrology units of the hospital and substantial role in the development of nursing education in the hospital. He was the brain behind the famous Ibarapa Community Health Project.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy in adult epilepsy patients in a tertiary hospital in South-Western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) resulting from seizures has been implicated in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in persons with epilepsy (PWE), however, there are no previous studies of CAN in PWE from Nigeria. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the frequency and pattern of CAN in adult PWE in a tertiary hospital in South-western Nigeria and to determine the relationship between seizure variables and CAN. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 80 adult PWE and 80 matched controls aged between 18 and 60 years was carried out between March 2012 and June 2013 at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from all the study participants. Anxiety was excluded using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale. Those with conditions that could affect autonomic function, such as chronic renal failure, heart failure, Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders and pregnant women were excluded. Five bedside cardiovascular reflex tests were performed on each subject after baseline heart rate and blood pressure (BP) had been recorded. RESULTS: The mean age of onset of epilepsy was 19 ± 10 years, whereas the mean duration of epilepsy was 10 ± 8 years. The mean seizure frequency was 14 ± 30 per month (median three seizures per month). Of the 80 patients evaluated, 42 (52.5%) had CAN, whereas none of the controls had CAN. Majority (69%) of the PWE with CAN had purely parasympathetic dysfunction, whereas 3% had purely sympathetic dysfunction and 10% had combined autonomic dysfunction. The PWE in this study had significantly lower tilt ratios and diastolic BP change with Isometric Hand grip as well as significantly higher systolic BP change on standing than the controls. Patients who had more than four seizures per month had higher odds of CAN than those with less frequent seizures (odds ratio 0.275, P value 0.023). Also, patients who had received treatment for less than 10 years were found to have greater odds of CAN than those who had received treatment for a longer period (odds ratio 11.676, P value 0.046). CONCLUSION: CAN is common in adult PWE in South-Western Nigeria and the major predictors are short duration of treatment and frequent seizure episodes. Routine screening of these patients may help with early detection of autonomic dysfunction and provide an opportunity for intervention.

Determinants of Health-related Quality of Life in Persons with Epilepsy Seen at a Tertiary Hospital in North Western Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: There is a growing global concern about the effect of epilepsy on the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of the sufferers. AIM: This study assessed the determinants of HRQoL in persons with epilepsy (PWE) in a tertiary hospital in North Western Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 103 patients with epilepsy aged ≥ 18 years attending Neurology clinic. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the institution. The short version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was administered to the participants. Statistical significance was set with p value at 0.05. The determinants of HRQoL was obtained by using univariate and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULT: The mean age of patients was 33.4±15.8 years. There were 54(52.4%) males and 49 (47.6%) females. The significant determinants of HRQoLfound were time of last seizure episode (OR = 7.50, 95% CI = 1.36 -41.20, p = 0.021) and social support (OR = 21.5, 95% CI = 3.67 - 125.68, p = 0.001). Following multivariate logistic regression analysis, social support (OR = 29.51, 95% CI = 2.87 - 302.66, p = 0.004) appeared as the independent determinant of HRQoLin PWE. CONCLUSION: Social support was the main determining factor of HRQoL in epilepsy patients in this study. Therefore there is the need to ensure a comprehensive care which should include health education, adequate seizure control and social support for epilepsy patients to improve their HRQoL.

Analysis of the Cerebrospinal Fluid at Point of Care in Resource-Limited Setting: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: In the face of an emergency, a decision on the need for a timely intervention must be made urgently especially when it has to do with the brain. This study was conducted to determine the usefulness of Urine combistix and glucometer as a "point of care" testing tool in the emergency analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in resource-limited settings. METHODOLOGY: In this pilot cross-sectional study, CSF and blood glucose were simultaneously measured using a point of care glucometer and central laboratory. The CSF protein, glucose, blood and leucocytes were also assessed using the urine combistix strips. The CSF/blood glucose ratios obtained at the bedside with a glucometer versus those obtained by the central laboratory were also compared. RESULTS: Turn-around time for glucometer and Combistix analysis was 3.5minutes (3-4mins) versus 360minutes (300- 600minutes) for the laboratory. A strong correlation was observed amongst urine Combistix values for CSF protein, blood, leucocyte and glucose with those obtained from the laboratory (ROC of 0.875, sensitivity:75% and specificity: 100%). In addition, there was significant correlation of the CSF-blood glucose ratios from both the laboratory versus glucometer. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed that a combination of Combistix analysis for CSF protein, glucose, blood and leucocyte values plus a glucometer analysis of CSF and blood glucose can serve as a reliable and accurate synergistic means for early diagnosis of CSF abnormalities particularly in patients suspected to have meningitis. Finally, it provides a template on which an accurate CSF diagnostic kit can be developed.

The response to re-emergence of yellow fever in Nigeria, 2017.

Yellow fever (YF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the YF virus (arbovirus) which continues to cause severe morbidity and mortality in Africa. A case of YF was confirmed in Nigeria on the 12th of September 2017, 21 years after the last confirmed case. The patient belongs to a nomadic population with a history of low YF vaccination uptake, in the Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State, Nigeria. An active case search in Ifelodun and its five contiguous LGAs led to the listing of 55 additional suspect cases of YF within the period of the outbreak investigation between September 18 to October 6, 2017. The median age of cases was 15 years, and 54.4% were males. Of these, blood samples were collected from 30 cases; nine tested positive in laboratories in Nigeria and six were confirmed positive for YF by the WHO reference laboratory in the region; Institut Pasteur, Dakar. A rapid YF vaccination coverage assessment was carried out, resulting in a coverage of 46% in the LGAs, with 25% of cases able to produce their vaccination cards. All stages of the yellow fever vector, Aedes mosquito were identified in the area, with high larval indices (House and Breteau) observed. In response to the outbreak, YF surveillance was intensified across all States in Nigeria, as well as reactive vaccination and social mobilisation campaigns carried out in the affected LGAs in Kwara State. A state-wide YF preventive campaign was also initiated.

Tropical ataxic neuropathy: Findings of a neuroepidemiological survey of Odeda, southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Tropical ataxic neuropathy seems to have dwindled in public health importance in Nigeria despite the high consumption of cassava-based meals by a huge proportion of people in local Nigerian communities. Yet a recent report suggest its persistence in the same ethnogeographic setting where it was first reported in Nigeria. Our objective was to investigate the prevalence of tropical ataxic neuropathy in Odeda, Ogun state, southwest Nigeria inhabited by a different ethnic group compared to Epe where the disease was first described. METHODS: A two-stage, cross-sectional survey of Odeda local government area for the prevalence and profile of toxiconutritional neurological disorders was carried out between May and June 2015. A screening instrument was applied by trained non - medical interviewers with positive responders further evaluated by a neurologist. RESULTS: 2392 individuals aged 18 years or older were screened and had a mean age of 37.2 ±â€¯16.1 years, were predominantly of Egba Yoruba ethnicity. Thirty nine cases of tropical ataxic neuropathy were diagnosed and crude prevalence rate was 16.3/1000 (95% CI 11.2-21.4/1000). Older age and rural residence were associated with higher prevalence. Distal sensory polyneuropathy was the most common feature whereas sensorineural deafness was the least common finding. CONCLUSION: This report provides evidence that tropical ataxic neuropathy persists and in a wider geographic spread. Thus tropical ataxic neuropathy still remains a significant public health importance and concerted efforts are required to mitigate or eradicate tropical ataxic neuropathy in southwest Nigeria and other regions of Africa affected by cassava- related toxiconutritional disorders.

Delirium in Elderly Patients:Frequency and Precipitants in a Tertiary Hospital Setting.

OBJECTIVE: There is paucity of information on delirium in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) particularly in the older persons (>60 years of age), leaving questions about the burden of the disease in an environment with lower health care standards. In this article, we set out to determine the frequency, precipitants and symptomatology of delirium in elderly patients admitted into medical wards in a teaching hospital in South-West Nigeria. METHODS: This was a descriptive study involving a pre-planned sample of one hundred and fifty patients aged 60 years and over, assessed for cognitive impairment and delirium using the previously validated IDEA cognitive screen, and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) respectively. Diagnosis of delirium was made using the CAM and DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: Delirium was diagnosed in 32 patients giving a frequency of 21.3% (95%CI: 14.7-30.0%). Patients with delirium were significantly older (p<0.05). A quarter of the patients had dementia. Hypertension was a notable co-morbid condition. All the patients had altered sleep wake cycle, inattention, disorientation, and altered consciousness. Neurological diseases were the most common precipitant. There was a good agreement between the DSM-IV and CAM diagnoses. CONCLUSION: Delirium is common in hospitalised elderly patients particularly those with neurological diseases. Co-morbidities like hypertension, dementia, and depression should be looked for in delirious elderly patients.

Self-reported Sleep Disorder and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Phenotypes in Patients with or without Chronic Kidney Disease: Findings from Ibadan CRECKID Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disordered breathing has been closely linked to pathogenesis, poor control of hypertension, and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Though hypertension and CKD are highly prevalent in Nigeria, the effects of sleep disorders on CKD and hypertension phenotypes have not been widely studied. This study investigated the relationship between self-reported sleep disorders, and ambulatory blood pressure phenotypes in patients with hypertension and those with or without CKD. METHODS: Participants aged 18 years and above who consented were recruited into the study. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences were obtained, Office/clinic hypertension was defined as SBP =140mmHg and/or DBP =90mmHg or being on pharmacological treatment for hypertension. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were done. Obstructive sleep apnea was assessed using Stop Bang questionnaire. Estimated GFR was calculated using CKD-EPI Creatinine 2Equation and CKD was defined as eGFR<60ml/min/1.73m . RESULTS: A total of three hundred and forty-nine (349) patients were enrolled for the study: 175 males and 174 females. Moderate to severe risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was observed in 51.4% of patients with CKD, 58.5% of hypertensive and 17.3% of apparently healthy participants. Male participants were more likely than female patients to have moderate and high OSA risk (41.7% vs 32.8%) and (10.3% vs 4.6%) respectively. Compared with other groups, CKD patients had the highest office and ambulatory blood pressure parameters; p<0.0001. CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnoea is prevalent among patients with chronic kidney disease and hypertension. Furthermore, the phenotypes of hypertension are accentuated in CKD and therefore, OSA may well be an important risk factor for CKD.

Th17 responses to pneumococcus in blood and adenoidal cells in children.

Pneumococcal infections cause a large global health burden, and the search for serotype-independent vaccines continues. Existing conjugate vaccines reduce nasopharyngeal colonization by target serotypes. Such mucosal effects of novel antigens may similarly be important. CD4+ Th17 cell-dependent, antibody-independent reductions in colonization and enhanced clearance have been described in mice. Here we describe the evaluation of T helper type 17 (Th17) cytokine responses to candidate pneumococcal protein vaccine antigens in human cell culture, using adenoidal and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Optimal detection of interleukin (IL)-17A was at day 7, and of IL-22 at day 11, in these primary cell cultures. Removal of CD45RO+ memory T cells abolished these responses. Age-associated increases in magnitude of responses were evident for IL-17A, but not IL-22, in adenoidal cells. There was a strong correlation between individual IL-17A and IL-22 responses after pneumococcal antigen stimulation (P < 0·015). Intracellular cytokine staining following phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)/ionomycin stimulation demonstrated that  > 30% CD4+ T cells positive for IL-22 express the innate markers γδT cell receptor and/or CD56, with much lower proportions for IL-17A+ cells (P < 0·001). Responses to several vaccine candidate antigens were observed but were consistently absent, particularly in blood, to PhtD (P < 0·0001), an antigen recently shown not to impact colonization in a clinical trial of a PhtD-containing conjugate vaccine in infants. The data presented and approach discussed have the potential to assist in the identification of novel vaccine antigens aimed at reducing pneumococcal carriage and transmission, thus improving the design of empirical clinical trials.

Dichlorvos Induced Oxidative and Neuronal Responses in Rats: Mitigative Efficacy of Nigella sativa (Black Cumin).

Poisoning from Organophosphates (OPs), especially Dichlorvos (DDVP) has become endemic due to theincreasing use in house hold and agricultural pests control, with most marked effects in the nervous system. However, it isevidenced that natural antioxidants are efficacious against OPs toxicity. Thus, this study investigated the possible antidotalefficacy of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) in Dichlovos (DDVP) induced oxidative and neuronal damages in Wistar rats. DDVPwas administered at sub-chronic daily dosage of 8.8 mg/kg.bw for 7 days and a post-administration of NSO at 1 ml/kg.bwfor the subsequent 7 days. The rats were euthanized on the 15thday, blood sample collected via cardiac puncture, centrifugedand the plasma used for biochemical analysis of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), reduced glutathione (GSH) and totalreactive oxygen species (ROS), while the frontal, occipital and cerebellar cortices and the medulla were removed for histomorphological examinations. The results showed significant (P≤0.05) decrease in plasma TAC and GSH, while a significant(P≤0.05) increase in ROS was recorded, and some vacuolation around the neurons especially in the frontal and cerebellarcortices following DDVP exposure. However, post treatment with NSO was observed to be efficacious in the recovery ofthe oxidative activities and the neuro-architectural integrities. Thus, it can be concluded that the antioxidant capacity of NSOcould be efficacious against OPs induced oxidative damages, especially in dichlorvos accidents.

Discordant rapid HIV tests: lessons from a low-resource community.

OBJECTIVES: HIV rapid antibody tests are widely used in Africa, but dual testing sometimes produces discordant results. It is not clear if discordant rapid HIV tests should always heighten suspicion by frontline health workers that early HIV infection is present. Some studies have reported that discordant rapid tests have value for identifying early HIV infection in high HIV prevalence populations. It is not known if rapid test performance influenced this conclusion, or if this observation will hold true for low HIV prevalence populations. We therefore explored the occurrence of discordant rapid HIV tests in a low-resource community. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of HIV status-unaware adults with recent exposure to unsafe sex was assessed using a validated risk-based tool (University of North Carolina (UNC)-Malawi Risk Screening Score) for acute HIV infection. Participants received rapid testing with Determine™ HIV 1/2 and Uni-Gold™ HIV assays, plus plasma HIV-1 antigen testing with the COBAS® Ampliprep/COBAS® Taqman® HIV-1 assay, followed by western blot in those with detected HIV-1 antigen. RESULTS: Of 408 participants, 1.0% were confirmed to have established HIV infection. The discordance between rapid tests at initial screening was 2.45 and 2.94% when the two assays were used sequentially and simultaneously, respectively. Discordant rapid tests were strongly associated with risk scores > 2 [odds ratio (OR) 10.88; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.35-50.43], and with detected HIV-1 RNA (OR 26.06; 95% CI 3.91-173.60). CONCLUSIONS: When the sample occurrence of discordance between the first and second tests is below 5%, discordant rapid tests in an adult with sexual risk behaviour should trigger strong suspicion of early HIV infection in low HIV prevalence populations.

ASSESSMENT OF MEASURES OF ADIPOSITY THAT CORRELATE WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG HYPERTENSIVE AFRICANS.

BACKGROUND: Studies differ on which anthropometric measure of adiposity shows good correlation with cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we evaluated the effects of common epidemiological measures of adiposity as a correlate of elevated blood pressure in an African population. METHODOLOGY: The study was carried out between June 2009 and December 2011 at the medical out-patient department of a tertiary healthcare center in Nigeria. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), waist to height ratio (WHtR), and waist circumference (WC). RESULTS: A total of 1,416 Hypertensives comprising 1090 (77%) adult females recruited over two and half years. Women were significantly older (49.2±8.1 vs. 48.0±10.0 years, p=0.039) and shorter (1.6±6.3 vs 1.7±6.8 meters, p<0.0001) when compared with men. Blood pressure parameters were comparable between women and men. Approximately 1 out of 5 participants had good blood pressure control with no gender difference. Anthropometric measurements showed that 446(32%) were overweight, 404(29%) obese and 40(3%) were morbidly obese. Compared with their male counterparts, females were significantly more likely to be obese (P<0.0001). Similarly, 51.6% of the subjects had abdominal obesity, with female preponderance (P<0.0001). Likewise, a greater proportion of women had substantially higher measured waist circumference risk. Compared with other measures of adiposity, body mass index correlated best with diastolic blood pressure in both gender (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study adds to the evidence that obesity is a major cardiovascular risk factor. BMI, as a measure of adiposity, was found to correlate best with blood pressure. These findings support other observations in other populations that BMI rather than waist to height ratio (WHtR), and waist circumference (WC) is a better correlate of hypertension.

Short term stroke outcome is worse among indiv1iduals with sickle cell trait.

BACKGROUND: Most (86%) of the global stroke mortality are from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) including African countries which have the highest prevalence of the sickle cell trait (Hb AS). The effects of this trait on stroke occurrence and outcome are poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the effects of the sickle cell trait on the 30-day stroke mortality in Nigerian-Africans. METHOD: This was a prospective study of 35 stroke patients with sickle cell trait (Haemoglobin AS) and 35 age and sex-matched controls without haemoglobinopathy (Haemoglobin AA). Haemoglobin electrophoresis was performed for all before recruitment and they all had neuroimaging done. Patients with haemoglobin AS were used as cases and those with haemoglobin AA as controls. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of stroke at presentation and the Modified Rankin Scale for 30-day stroke outcome. RESULT: There was no significant difference in the baseline stroke severity between the two groups (p = 0.21). Univariate analysis of the factors predicting the 30-day stroke outcome revealed that NIHSS score > 20 (p < 0.001), haemorrhagic stroke (p = 0.01) and the presence of Hb AS (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with 30-day mortality. Haemorrhagic stroke type was strongly associated with HbAS (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.10-7.99, p-value = 0.02). With multiple logistic regression model, the presence of Hb AS (p = 0.01) and NIHSS score > 20 (p = 0.05) emerged as independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. The cases had worse stroke outcome at 30 days. CONCLUSION: Stroke had1 a worse 30-day mortality and outcome in patients with sickle cell trait (HbAS) than in patients with normal adult haemoglobin (HbAA).

Stroke genomics in people of African ancestry: charting new paths.

One in six people worldwide will experience a stroke in his/her lifetime. While people in Africa carry a disproportionately higher burden of poor stroke outcomes, compared to the rest of the world, the exact contribution of genomic factors to this disparity is unknown. Despite noteworthy research into stroke genomics, studies exploring the genetic contribution to stroke among populations of African ancestry in the United States are few. Furthermore, genomics data in populations living in Africa are lacking. The wide genomic variation of African populations offers a unique opportunity to identify genomic variants with causal relationships to stroke across different ethnic groups. The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN), a component of the Human Health and Heredity in Africa (H3Africa) Consortium, aims to explore genomic and environmental risk factors for stroke in populations of African ancestry in West Africa and the United States. In this article, we review the literature on the genomics of stroke with particular emphasis on populations of African origin.

Epidemiology of active epilepsy in a suburban community in Southeast Nigeria: A door-to-door survey.

CONTEXT: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic conditions afflicting an estimated 65 million people the world over. Current community-based data on the prevalence of active epilepsy in Africa are sparse. AIMS: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and profile of active epilepsy in a suburban community in Southeast Nigeria. METHODS: It was a two phase cross-sectional descriptive study. In the first phase, those with possible active epilepsy were identified in a door-to-door survey using a modification of the World Health Organization Neuroscience research protocol. In the second phase, cases of active epilepsy were identified and the clinical forms of epilepsy diagnosed based on the International League against Epilepsy guidelines 1993. RESULTS: A total of 6,800 persons was screened in the first phase of the study. There were 29 cases (16 males and 13 females) of active epilepsy. The point prevalence of active epilepsy was 4.3/1,000 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.7-5.9) for the total population, 4.9/1,000 (95% CI: 2.5-7.3) for males and 3.7/1,000 (95% CI: 1.7-5.7) for females. The age-adjusted prevalence for the total population was 4.1/1,000 (US Population 2000). Classified using clinical criteria only, generalized seizures occurred in 62.1% (n=18) while partial seizures occurred in 37.9% (n=11) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of active epilepsy in Southeast Nigeria is comparable to that found in developed and some developing countries but less than that reported in suburban Southwest Nigeria about three decades ago.