Magnitude, risk factors and outcomes of stroke at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective observational study

• Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 2020-04, Vol.56 (1), p.1-9
• Main Authors: Mulugeta Henok, Yehuala Amare, Haile Dessalegn, Mekonnen Nakachew, Getenet, Dessie, Kassa, Getachew Mullu, Kassa Zerihun Shimelis, Habtewold, Tesfa Dejenie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ethiopia; Hemorrhagic stroke; Hypertension; Ischemic stroke; Observational studies; Outcomes; Risk factors; Stroke
• ISSN: 1110-1083; 1687-8329
• DOI: 10.1186/s41983-020-00173-4

BackgroundStroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in developing countries. The burden of stroke has varied widely in different areas, and there is a paucity of information about stroke in the selected study area.ObjectivesTo assess the burden, risk factors, and outcomes of stroke at Debre Markos Referral Hospital, Northwest EthiopiaPatients and methodsA hospital-based retrospective observational study was conducted in the medical ward of Debre Markos Referral Hospital from March 2017 to April 2019. A pretested checklist was used to extract relevant data from the chart of stroke patients. All statistical analyses were performed in the SPSS version 20 software.ResultsFrom a total of 2100 admissions in the medical ward, 162 of them were stroke patients, giving the in-hospital magnitude of 7.7%. The in-hospital case fatality rate was 8.6%. Additionally, 27.2% of patients were improved and 39.5% of them were referred. There was a significant association between types of stroke and risk factors such as sex, comorbid hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and atrial fibrillation (P ≤ 0.05).ConclusionThe in-hospital period prevalence of stroke was 7.7%. Ischemic stroke was the most common type of stroke. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia were the leading identified risk factors for stroke. The overall in-hospital mortality was lower than previous studies in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, effective strategies and guidelines for the prevention and control of stroke and its risk factors are needed.