The burden of inpatient neurologic disease in a tropical African hospital.

BACKGROUND Neurologic disorders represent a major burden of disease globally and the spectrum ranges from noncommunicable disorders like stroke and neurodegenerative disorders to central nervous system infections. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study is to assess the burden of neurological diseases in a tropical environment. METHODS A one year retrospective survey of neurological diseases seen at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, was evaluated using patients' medical record. RESULTS Neurological diseases constituted 24.2% of all medical conditions seen over a one year period. Stroke was found to be the commonest cause of admissions accounting for 42.1% of the cases followed by peripheral neuropathy (13.8%) and meningoencephalitis (7.2%). The immediate case fatality rate was 33.6%. Fifty two percent were discharged home with various levels of recovery while 12.5% left against medical advice. About 2% were referred to other tertiary health institutions. CONCLUSION The pattern of neurologic diseases in the local medical wards was not remarkably different from those observed in Nigeria and elsewhere. Stroke remains the most frequent cause of neurologic admissions and mortality in this region is same as observed elsewhere.