The Pattern and Presentation of Stroke in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Stroke is a common neurologic disorder and it is the third leading cause of mortality worldwide after ischaemic heart disease and cancer. Males are predominantly affected and ischaemic stroke is more prevalent than haemorrhagic stroke. This study determined the pattern and presentation of stroke in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA) South-East Nigeria. It was a retrospective, descriptive and hospital based study. The stroke register of the neurology unit was reviewed and relevant data were extracted and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 software. The sex ratio was M:F =3:2 and  the peak age prevalence of stroke was the 7^th decade. Ischaemic stroke was present in 65%, while intracerebral haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage were 31% and 4% respectively. Stroke constituted 12% of medical deaths with 30 day case mortality rate of 15%. Stroke is highly prevalent in Abakaliki south east Nigeria. The 30 day case mortality rate is relatively low in this study. There should be regular public enlightenment for stroke prevention and prompt referral of stroke patients to a stroke unit for adequate management.

Keywords: stroke, ischaemic, haemorrhagic, Abakaliki, South-East, Nigeria