The prognosis of acute stroke in a tertiary health centre in south-east Nigeria
Eze, C.O.; Kalu, U.A.
Nigerian Journal of Medicine Journal of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria 23(4): 306-310
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 1115-2613 PMID: 25470856 Document Number: 678658
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. 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. 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. 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.