What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Stroke (n=200). Intervention: Diabetes mellitus vs. Non-diabetics. Primary outcome: In-hospital mortality (aOR 2.53, 95% CI 1.20-5.34).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess how diabetes mellitus affects stroke presentation, severity, and outcomes in Zambia.

July 22, 2026Open Access

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Stroke Presentation and Outcomes at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Zambia: A Retrospective Cross sectional Study

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Diabetes mellitus was independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality (aOR 2.53; 95% CI 1.20-5.34) and longer hospital stays among adult stroke patients in Zambia.

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Key result

Diabetes linked to ~150% higher in-hospital mortality among stroke patients.

aOR 2.53
95% CI 1.20-5.34
n=200

Why the study?

Does diabetes mellitus influence stroke presentation and in-hospital outcomes in adult patients with confirmed stroke?

Key Points

This study aims to assess how diabetes mellitus affects stroke presentation, severity, and outcomes in Zambia.
Conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study of 200 adult stroke patients at Livingstone University Teaching Hospital.
Analyzed sociodemographic and clinical data, assessing associations using Chi-square and t-tests.
Used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality.
Diabetes was present in 45.5% of patients and significantly associated with ischemic stroke (χ² = 4.92, p = 0.027).
Diabetic patients had longer hospital stays (12.03 vs 7.71 days; p < 0.001) and higher disability and mortality rates (χ² = 10.84, p = 0.004).
In-hospital mortality predictors included severe stroke (aOR 5.42; 95% CI 2.47–11.89), diabetes (aOR 2.53; 95% CI 1.20–5.34), and increasing age (aOR 1.04 per year; 95% CI 1.01–1.06).

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=200)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Does diabetes mellitus influence stroke presentation and in-hospital outcomes in adult patients with confirmed stroke?

Population

200 adult patients admitted with confirmed stroke at a tertiary teaching hospital in Zambia between 2021 and 2024.

Exposure

Presence of diabetes mellitus

Comparator

Absence of diabetes mellitus

Outcome

Stroke presentation (subtype, severity) and in-hospital outcomes (mortality, disability, length of stay)hard clinical

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 2.53 (95% CI 1.2–5.34)

Discussion

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Implication

In a Zambian cohort, diabetes mellitus was independently associated with ischemic stroke, greater neurological severity, prolonged hospitalization, and doubled in-hospital mortality.

Cite This Study

Namunji et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Stroke (n=200). Diabetes mellitus vs. Non-diabetics was evaluated on In-hospital mortality (aOR 2.53, 95% CI 1.20-5.34). Diabetes mellitus was independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality (aOR 2.53; 95% CI 1.20-5.34) and longer hospital stays among adult stroke patients in Zambia.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a605ee84163e025518d87f7 https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21452334

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Implication

In a Zambian cohort, diabetes mellitus was independently associated with ischemic stroke, greater neurological severity, prolonged hospitalization, and doubled in-hospital mortality.

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Stroke Presentation and Outcomes at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Zambia: A Retrospective Cross sectional Study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Stroke Presentation and Outcomes at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Zambia: A Retrospective Cross sectional Study

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider