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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
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Abstract:

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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

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