Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-p2v8j Total loading time: 0.001 Render date: 2024-05-27T18:55:21.627Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Burden of Inpatient Neurologic Disease in a Tropical African Hospital

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2014

E. E. Philip-Ephraim ,
K. I. Eyong ,
S. Chinenye ,
U. E. William  and
R. P. Ephraim
E. E. Philip-Ephraim*
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar
K. I. Eyong
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar
S. Chinenye
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
U. E. William
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar
R. P. Ephraim
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar
*
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, PMB 1278, Calabar, Nigeria
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Background:

Neurologic disorders represent a major burden of disease globally and the spectrum ranges from noncommunicable disorders like stroke and neurodegenerative disorders to central nervous system infections.

Objective:

The purpose of the study is to assess the burden of neurological diseases in a tropical environment.

Methods:

A one year retrospective survey of neurological diseases seen at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was evaluated using patients' medical record.

Results:

Neurological diseases constituted 24.2% of all medical conditions seen over a one year period. Stroke was found to be the commonest cause of admissions accounting for 42.1% of the cases followed by peripheral neuropathy (13.8%) and meningoencephalitis (7.2%). The immediate case fatality rate was 33.6%. Fifty two percent were discharged home with various levels of recovery while 12.5% left against medical advice. About 2% were referred to other tertiary health institutions.

Conclusion:

The pattern of neurologic diseases in the local medical wards was not remarkably different from those observed in Nigeria and elsewhere. Stroke remains the most frequent cause of neurologic admissions and mortality in this region is same as observed elsewhere.

Résumé:

RÉsumÉ:Contexte:

Les maladies neurologiques constituent un fardeau majeur au niveau mondial et leur éventail va de maladies non contagieuses, comme l'accident vasculaire cérébral et les maladies neurodégénératives, aux infections du système nerveux central.

Objectif:

Le but de l'étude était d'évaluer le fardeau que constituent les maladies neurologiques dans cet environnement tropical.

Méthode:

Nous avons effectué une étude rétrospective des dossiers des patients atteints d'une maladie neurologique, admis à l'Hôpital universitaire de Calabar, au Nigeria.

Résultats:

Au cours d'une année, 24,2% des patients admis étaient atteints d'une maladie neurologique. L'accident vasculaire cérébral était la plus fréquente, soit 42,1% de ces patients, suivi de la neuropathie périphérique (13,8%) et de la méningoencéphalite (7,2%). Le taux de létalité immédiate était de 33,6%. Cinquante-deux pour cent des patients ont quitté l'hôpital pour rentrer chez-eux avec des niveaux de récupération variés à leur sortie de l'hôpital et 12,5% des patients ont quitté l'hôpital contre l'avis du médecin. Environ 2% ont été référés à d'autres institutions de soins tertiaires.

Conclusion:

L'éventail des maladies neurologiques dans ce service de médecine n'était pas remarquablement différent de celui observé dans le pays et ailleurs dans le monde. L'accident vasculaire cérébral demeure la cause la plus fréquente d'admission en neurologie et la mortalité dans cette région est la même que celle observée ailleurs dans le monde.

Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 40 , Issue 4 , July 2013 , pp. 576 - 579
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2013

References

1. Murray, CJL, Lopez, AD. The global burden of disease. Cambridge: Havard School of Public Health. 1996.Google ScholarPubMed
2. Chapp-Jumbo, EN. Neurological infections in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital. Afr Health Sc. 2006;6(1):55–8.Google Scholar
3. Ottong, JG, Ering, SO, Akpan, FU. The population situation in Cross River State of Nigeria and its implication for socio-economic development: observations from 1991 and 2006 Censuses. J emerging Trends in Edu Res and Pol Studies. 2010;1(1):36–42.Google Scholar
4. Ojini, FI, Danesi, M. The pattern of Neurological admissions at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Nigeria. J Clin Prac. 2003;6 (1):38–44.Google Scholar
5. Ogun, SA, Adelowo, OO, Familoni, OB, Jaiyesimi, AE, Fakoya, EA. Pattern and outcome of medical admissions at the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu- a three year review. West Afr J Med. 2000;19(4):304–8.Google Scholar
6. Chapp-Jumbo, EN. Neurological Admissions in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria- A ten year review. Afr J Neurol Sc. 2004;23(1):14–20.Google Scholar
7. Ekenze, OS, Onwuekwe, IO, Ezeala Adikaibe, BA. Profile of neurological admissions at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Niger J Med. 2010;19(4):419–22.Google Scholar
8. Ike, SO. The pattern of admissions into the medical wards of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu (2). Niger J Clin Pract. 2008;11(3):185–92.Google Scholar
9. Kwasa, TO. The pattern of neurological diseases at Kenyatta National Hospital. East Afr Med J. 1992;69(5):236–9.Google Scholar
10. Owolabi, LF, Shehu, MY, Shehu, MN, Fadare, J. Pattern of neurological admissions in the tropics: Experience at Kano, Northwestern Nigeria. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2010;13(3): 167–70.Google Scholar
11. Talabi, OA. A 3-year review of neurologic admissions in University College Hospital Ibadan, Nigeria. West Afr J Med. 2003;22(2):150–1.Google Scholar
12. Shams-ur-Rehman, Khan MA. Clinical versus C. T. scan diagnosis in stroke- a comparative study of 50 cases. J Ayub Med Coll Abbotabad. 2002;14(1):2–5.Google Scholar
13. Khan, J, Rehman, Atique ur. Comparison of clinical diagnosis with computed tomography in ascertaining type of stroke. J Ayub Med Coll Abbotabad. 2005;17(3):1–3.Google ScholarPubMed
14. Walker, RW, Jusabani, A, Aris, E, Gray, WK, Mitra, D, Swai, M. A prospective study of stroke sub-type from within an incident population in Tanzania. S Afr Med J. 2011;101(5):338–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15. Weir, CJ, Murray, GD, Adams, FG, Muir, KW, Grosset, DG, Lees, KR. Poor accuracy of stroke scoring systems for differential clinical diagnosis of intracranial haemorrhage and infarction. Lancet. 1994;344(8928):999–1002.Google Scholar
16. Nouira, S, Boukef, R, Bouida, W, et al. Accuracy of two scores in the diagnosis of stroke subtype in a multicenter cohort study. Ann Emerg Med. 2009;53:373–8.Google Scholar
17. McLigeyo, SO. The pattern of geriatric admission in the medical wards at the Kenyattan National Hospital. East Afr Med J. 1993;70(1):37–9.Google Scholar
18. Osuntokun, BO. The pattern of neurological illness in tropical Africa: Experience at Ibadan, Nigeria. J Neurol Sci. 1971;12(4): 417–42.Google Scholar
19. Bonita, R. Epidemiology of stroke. Lancet. 1992;339:342–4.Google Scholar
20. Abraham, G, Abdulkadir, J. Cerebrovascular accidents in Ethiopians. A review of 48 cases. East Afr Med J. 1981;58:431–6.Google Scholar
21. Brainin, M, Teuschl, Y, Kaira, L. Acute treatment and long term management of stroke in developing countries. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6(6):553–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22. Bansal, V, Kalita, J, Misra, UK. Diabetic neuropathy. Postgrad Med J. 2006;82(964):95–100.Google Scholar
23. Umoh, VA, Otu, AA, Enang, OE, Okereke, QO, Essien, O, Ukpe, I. The pattern of diabetic admissions in UCTH Calabar, south eastern Nigeria: a five year review. Niger Health J. 2012;12(1):7–11.Google Scholar
24. Ngim, NE, Ndifon, WO, Udosen, AM, Ikpeme, IA, Isiwele, E. Lower limb amputation in diabetic foot disease: experience in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria. Afr J Diabetes Med. 2012;20(1):13–5.Google Scholar
25. Mobarak, EI. Trend, features and outcome of meningitis in the communicable disease hospital, Alexandra, Egypt, 1997-2006. J Egypt Public Health Assoc. 2012;87(1-2):16–23.Google Scholar
26. Thigpen, MC, Whitney, CG, Messonier, NE, et al. Bacterial meningitis in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(21):2016–25.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed