SPECTRUM OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS IN ADULT NEUROLOGY SERVICE AT ZEWDITU MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
- Articles
- Submited: January 1, 2017
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Published: September 20, 2017
Abstract
Background: Neurologic disorders are becoming an increasing threat to public health in developing countries and present special challenges in sub-Saharan Africa with its poorly developed medical infrastructure. Moreover, the burden of illness and the neurologic patterns are not well documented in those countries including Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the spectrum of inpatient and outpatient neurological disorders at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey was carried out at neurology health care facilities of the Department of Neurology at Zewditu Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We reviewed medical records of new outpatients seen at the adult neurology clinic, and those admitted for a primary neurologic illness at the hospital for the 3 year period between 2009 and 2012. Central tendency, measures of dispersion, frequencies and percentages were calculated using SPSS Version 19 statistical software and tabulations of the neurologic disorders were made.
Results: A total of 222 inpatients and 1,285 new outpatients were included during the study period. The most common diagnostic category amongst outpatients was neuropathy/radiculopathy/low back pain which accounted for 724(56.3%). Others were movement disorders 119(9.3%), seizure/epilepsy 94(7.3%), headache/cephalalgia 73(5.7%) and cerebrovascular disease 56(4.4%). Amongst inpatients cerebrovascular diseases accounted for 97(43.7%) cases, meningitis/meningoencephalitis 37(16.7%), intracranial space occupying diseases 32(14.4%), coma/encephalopathy 21(9.5%) and myelopathy and seizure/epilepsy in 6(2.7%) patients each.
Conclusion: Differences in the pattern of neurological disorders among outpatients and inpatients was seen.
Key words: Neurologic disorders, Ethiopia
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