Epidemiology, Risk Factors, Type and Outcome of Stroke in Health Care Facilities of Lomé, Togo: A Prospective Study

Background: Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability acquired in the world. Aim: To study the epidemiological indices, risk factors and outcome of stroke. Subjects and Methods: It was a prospective study to collect epidemiological data, clinical presentation and outcome of stroke patients in 28 public and private health facilities in our largest health region. It had covered the period from January to December 2013. Results: A total of 43,558 inpatients were enrolled. Among them, 986 patients had a stroke which frequency was 2.26 %. The incidence rate has been estimated to 79.58/ 100,000 inhabitants/year. Male subjects were observed in 50.8% and 49.2% of females. The mean age was 59 ± 13.2 years. Concerning the stroke subtype, ischemic stroke was found with 54.9% and 45.1% of hemorrhagic including 10.8 % of subarachnoid hemorrhage. The traditional main risk factors were hypertension (87.3 %) and diabetes (17.5 %). The mean time of admission was 55 ± 20.75 hours. The average time before beginning first care was 56 ± 20.74 hours. Only 44% of patients had received first aids within 24 hours. The average length of stay was 17 ± 8.5 days. The mean modified Rankin scale score at the exit time was 2.3 ± 0.8. At discharge, 58.9% of patient had partial motor deficits and 27.5% of them died. Conclusion: A good knowledge of risk factors and early signs of stroke by the population will reduce stroke mortality and its functional sequel. All these lacks of assessment increase the delay in the management of patient and lead to permanent deficits.