Audit of Stroke Admissions in a Tertiary Hospital in South East Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is one of the commonest causes of medical admissions and mortality in Nigeria. Documenting the pattern of stroke and risk factors for stroke is important not only for public health policy makers but also for physicians in implementing both primary and secondary preventive programs. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was therefore to document the pattern of stroke and risk factors for stroke in stroke patients admitted in a tertiary hospital in Enugu. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 26 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA). RESULTS: Data from 350 patients were included in the present study. The three commonest risk factors for stroke were diabetes (69.1%), hypertension (64.9%), and age 65 years and above (51.1%). A total of 74.9% of the patients had ischemic stroke and 25.1% had hemorrhagic stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke was significantly higher in patients < 50 years (46.5%) and people with hypertension, (31.7%). About 31.4% of the patients had two risk factors and 28.6% had three risk factors. Age 65 years and above positively correlated with having ischemic stroke and hypertension positively correlated with hemorrhagic stroke. When controlled for age, the correlation between hypertension and hemorrhagic stroke was still significant. CONCLUSION: The reported frequency of ischemic stroke was 74.9% and of hemorrhagic stroke was 25.1%. The commonest risk factors for stroke documented among stroke patients in a tertiary hospital in Enugu were diabetes, hypertension, and age 65 years and above. When controlled for age, the correlation between hypertension and hemorrhagic stroke was still significant.

INTRODUCTION: L'accident vasculaire cérébral (AVC) est l'une des causes les plus courantes d'admissions médicales et de mortalité au Nigeria. Il est important de documenter le profil des et les facteurs de risque des accidents vasculaires cérébraux sont importants non seulement pour le santé publique mais aussi pour les médecins dans la mise en œuvre des programmes de prévention primaire et secondaire. OBJECTIFS: L'objectif de cette étude était donc de documenter le modèle d'AVC et les facteurs de risque d'AVC chez les patients admis dans un hôpital tertiaire d'Enugu. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude descriptive transversale menée à l'hôpital universitaire d'Enugu, Enugu. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide du SPSS version 26 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA). RÉSULTATS: Les données de 350 patients ont été incluses dans la présente étude. Les trois facteurs de risque d'accident vasculaire cérébral les plus courants étaient le diabète (69,1 %), l'hypertension (64,9 %) et l'âge de 65 ans et plus (51,1 %). Un total de 74,9 % des patients ont eu un AVC ischémique et 25,1 % un AVC hémorragique. L'AVC hémorragique était significativement plus élevé chez les patients < 50ans (46,5 %) et les personnes souffrant d'hypertension (31,7 %). Environ 31,4 % des patients présentaient deux facteurs de risque et 28,6 % trois facteurs de risque. Âge 65 ans et plus était positivement corrélé au fait d'avoir un AVC ischémique et l'hypertension était en corrélation positive avec l'AVC hémorragique. Après contrôle de l'âge, la corrélation entrel'hypertension et l'AVC hémorragique était toujours significative. CONCLUSION: La fréquence rapportée de l'accident vasculaire cérébral ischémique était de 74,9 %. et celle de l'AVC hémorragique était de 25,1 %. Les facteurs de risque les plus courants pour d'AVC documentés chez les patients victimes d'un AVC dans un hôpital tertiaire de Enugu étaient le diabète, l'hypertension et l'âge de 65 ans et plus. Lorsque l'âge, la corrélation entre l'hypertension et l'AVC hémorragique était toujours significative. MOTS CLÉS: AVC ischémique, AVC hémorragique, Facteurs de risque, Nigeria.

Marfan Syndrome with Aortic Root Disease, Severe Heart Failure and Aortic Dissection- Two Case Reports.

Marfan syndrome is an uncommon inheritable connective tissue disease which affects the cardiovascular system. This paper presents two cases of Marfan Syndrome with predominant aortic root disease that were seen at the Cardiology Clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria. Their biography, clinical features and echocardiography parameters were captured using structured questionnaire. Both were young males in their 4th decade of life, and had advanced aortic root diseases which were complicated by left ventricular failure in both, while one of them had aortic dissection and ischemic stroke. Young adult Nigerians with Marfan syndrome presented with advanced aortic root diseases, heart failure, aortic dissection and stroke.

Prevalence and distribution of hypertension in overweight and obese subjects in an urban community in Enugu, South East Nigeria. A post hoc analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most recent studies in Nigeria have documented high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Several mechanisms may link hypertension and obesity hence the high prevalences of both disorders in Nigeria. There are however no studies on the prevalence of hypertension among the obese in urban settings. AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and pattern of hypertension in overweight/obese individuals in a community. METHODS: We conducted a post-hoc analysis on obese subjects 20 years and above from two urban settlements within Enugu metropolis. For database management and statistical analyses, we used the SPSS version 22. RESULTS: Data from a total of 301 individuals with obesity who met the selection criteria were re-analyzed. A total of 198 (65.8%) individuals were found to have hypertension most of whom were newly diagnosed 110 (55.6%). The prevalence of hypertension was 65.8% and increased with age and BMI. CONCLUSION: Individuals with overweight/obesity have very high rates of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension also increased with and BMI. Thus, there is need for targeted health education in adults to address the burden of obesity and hypertension to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the community.

The Role of Blood Lead, Cadmium, Zinc and Copper in Development and Severity of Acne Vulgaris in a Nigerian Population.

Acne vulgaris is a very common skin disorder affecting human beings. There is a paucity of report on the role of heavy metals-lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd)-globally, and trace metals-zinc (Zn) and copper (Cd)-particularly in Nigeria in the development/severity of acne vulgaris. This study is aimed to determine the blood levels of some heavy metals-cadmium and lead-and trace metals-zinc and copper-in acne vulgaris sufferers in a Nigerian population. Venous blood samples were collected from a total number of 90 non-obese female subjects consisting of 30 mild, 30 moderate and 30 severe acne vulgaris sufferers for blood Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn determination. They were age-matched with 60 females without acne vulgaris who served as the control subjects. Acne sufferers had significantly higher blood Cd and Pb (P = 0.0143 and P = 0.0001 respectively) and non-significantly different blood levels of Cu and Zn (P = 0.910 and P = 0.2140 respectively) compared to controls. There were significant progressive increases in blood levels of Cd and Pb (P = 0.0330 and P = 0.0001 respectively) and non-significant differences in the mean blood level of Cu and Zn (P = 0.1821 and P = 0.2728 respectively) from mild to moderate and severe acne vulgaris sufferers. Increases in blood Cd and Pb may play critical roles in the pathogenesis/severity of acne vulgaris, while Cu and Zn seem to play less significant roles in the development of this disorder in this environment.

Population-based prevalence of high blood pressure among adults in an urban slum in Enugu, South East Nigeria.

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), rapid urbanization and changing lifestyle have modified the profile and pattern of various medical disorders. Apart from high prevalence rates, recent trends with regard to hypertension in Africa include: low levels of awareness, treatment and control. Although a large number of studies provide data about hypertension in SSA, few studies focused on special populations such as urban slum dwellers. The WHO STEP-wise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases was used to access the prevalence of hypertension among adults in one of the urban slums in Enugu. Out of the 811 individuals aged 20 years and above surveyed, 774 (95.4%) cases were analyzed. About 4.7% and 2.7% reported a past history of diabetes and stroke, respectively, whereas 15% had a positive family history of hypertension. The mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) body mass index (BMI) was 23.7 (23.2-24.2) kg m(-2) among males and 26.6 (25.7-26.7) kg m(-2) among females (P<0.0001). The prevalence of hypertension was 52.5% (95% CI: 48.9-56.0) and 55.4% (95% CI: 49.5-61.3) in males and 50.8% (95% CI: 46.4-55.1) in females (P=0.23). It increased with age peaking at 45-54 years in females and ⩾55 years in males. About 40.1% were aware of their hypertension and 28.8% of those aware had normal blood pressure. In regression analysis, systolic (R(2)=0.192) and diastolic (R(2)=0.129) blood pressures increased with age and BMI. The prevalence of high blood pressure among adults in Enugu slums is very high and a cause for concern, and calls for urgent attention.

Estimated probability of stroke among medical outpatients in enugu South East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a growing noncommunicable disease in Africa and accounts for a substantial number of medical and neurological admissions in Nigerian hospitals. The prevalence of some risk factors for stroke such as hypertension and diabetes are high and growing among Africans. AIM: The aim was to investigate the distribution of stroke risk factors and estimate the 10-year probability of stroke among patients attending the out-patient clinics in the two biggest hospitals in Enugu South East Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Consecutive consenting patients attending out-patient clinics at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Enugu state University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital all in Enugu were enrolled. Risk factors for stroke were evaluated using a series of laboratory tests, medical history and physical examinations. The 10-year probability of stroke was determined by applying the Framingham stroke risk equation. Statistical analysis was performed with the use of the SPSS 17.0 software package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were evaluated. Of these 94 were male and 71 were female. The most common risk factors were left ventricular hypertrophy 70.3% (116/165) and raised systolic blood pressure 52.7% (87/165). The mean age of patients was 66.1 (8.1) years. The mean 10-year probability of stroke was 18.1 (14.6) (19.7 [14.9] in men and 14.5 [14.6] women) and was higher in older age groups. CONCLUSION: The 10-year probability of stroke in Nigerians attending medical outpatient Clinic in SE Nigeria may be high. Aggressive interventions are needed to reduce risk factors and the probability of stroke risks especially in men in SE Nigeria.

Pattern of medical admissions at enugu state university of science and technology teaching hospital: a 5 year review.

BACKGROUND: Rapid urbanization and changing lifestyle have modified the profile and pattern of various medical disorders in many Nigerian communities. Surveys of medical admissions into various Nigerian health institutions show an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in our communities. AIM: To determine the profile and pattern of medical cases admitted and their outcome in a new tertiary medical institution in South East Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of medical admissions into the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTTH), Enugu, Nigeria over 5 years between January 1, 2006 and December 30, 2010 was undertaken. Morbidity and mortality data were obtained from ward registers and subsequently medical record registers. Classifications of medical disorders were grouped using ICD 10 coding system. RESULTS: A total of 3,865 case records were analyzed. Males were 2,312/3,865 (59.6%) and females 1,660/3,865 (40.2%). The age range was 14-105 years with a mean age of 54.3 (18.1) years. The 4 commonest causes of medical ward admissions were neurological disorders-850/3,865 (22%), endocrine disorders-735/3,865 (19.1%), cardiovascular disorders-718/3,865 (18.5%) and infectious diseases-604/3,865 (15.6%). The diseases encountered most were diabetes mellitus-735/3,865 (19.1%), hypertension/congestive cardiac failure-703/3,865 (18.2%), strokes-614/3,865 (15.9%) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS-503 (13.1%). The overall mortality was 766/3,865 (19.8%) men-467/2,312 (20.2%); women-299/2,312 (19.3%). Strokes accounted for most of the deaths-171/766 (22.3%) followed by HIV/AIDS 127/766 (16.6%). Hypertension/cardiac failure and diabetes each accounted for 116/766 (15.1%) of all deaths. Case fatality rates for strokes and HIV/AIDS were the highest (171/614 (27.9%) and 127/503 (25.2%) respectively). Mortality rate was highest in the above 70 years age group. CONCLUSION: Non-communicable disorders are the commonest causes of medical ward admission in this tertiary institution. Efforts aimed at primary prevention will help to reduce the burden of these disorders in the community.