Author(s)

Yacouba N. Mapoure^1,2*, C. Kuate³, Clet B. Tchaleu^2,4, Hugo B. Mbatchou Ngahane¹, Gérard N. Mounjouopou¹, Hamadou Ba³, Salomon Mbahe², Julius Y. Fonsah⁵, Gérard Beyiha⁶, Henry N. Luma^2,3, Albert S. Mouelle², Philomène K. Ndouongo⁷, Alfred K. Njamnshi³

¹Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
²Department of Internal Medicine, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
³Department of Internal Medicine, University of Yaoundé I, Douala, Cameroon.
⁵Department of Neurology, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
⁶Department of Surgery, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon.
⁷Department of Neurology, University of Health Sciences, Libreville, Gabon.

Background and Objectives: Cerebro-vascular accident or stroke constitutes a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, basic epidemiologic data are not routinely available. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the type, the associated risk factors, time to admission, the clinical presentation and the case fatality of stroke at the Douala General Hospital (DGH) in Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012 at the neurology and intensive care units of the DGH. All patients above 15 years of age with a diagnosis of established stroke were enrolled. For each patient, socio-demographic, clinical and paraclinical data were recorded as well as the duration of hospitalization and the case fatality. Results: In all, 325 patients were enrolled with males constituting 68.1% and general mean age of 58.66 ± 13.6 years. The mean initial consultation delay was 47.36 ± 18.48 hours. The majors cerebro-vascular risk factors were hypertension (81.15%), chronic alcohol consumption (28.3%), diabetes mellitus (20.61%), obesity (18.15%), cigarette smoking (16%), dyslipidemia (8.9%) and atrial fibrillation (3.07%). Ischemic stroke accounted for 52% of cases while 48% were hemorrhagic. The mean duration of hospitalization was 8.58 ± 6.35 days with a case fatality rate of 26.8%. Septic conditions appeared to be the leading cause of death accounting for 35.6% of cases. Conclusion: Stroke in the DGH is associated with a high case fatality rate and hypertension remains the number one risk factor. There is a clear and urgent need for public health authorities to reinforce measures for the control of modifiable stroke risk factors.

Stroke, Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Case Fatality, Douala, Cameroon

Mapoure, Y. , Kuate, C. , Tchaleu, C. , Ngahane, H. , Mounjouopou, G. , Ba, H. , Mbahe, S. , Fonsah, J. , Beyiha, G. , Luma, H. , Mouelle, A. , Ndouongo, P. and Njamnshi, A. (2014) Stroke Epidemiology in Douala: Three Years Prospective Study in a Teaching Hospital in Cameroon. World Journal of Neuroscience, 4, 406-414. doi: 10.4236/wjns.2014.45044.