Predictors of hospital outcome in acute cerebrovascular accidents

Abstract

Background: Stroke is a major cause of death worldwide. There are many factors that can affect the
clinical outcome in stroke patients. The predictors of hospital outcome of Sudanese patients with stroke are
not known.
Objectives: To determine the predictors of hospital outcome among patients with acute stroke; and also
to study the risk factors, prevalence and clinical presentations of stroke patients admitted to Omdurman
Teaching Hospital (OTH).
Methods: This is a descriptive hospital-based study conducted in OTH during the period from Sept. 2011
to Feb 2012. One hundred and fifty patients with acute stroke were included. Data was collected by a
structured questionnaire and analysed by the Statistical package for Social Science (SPSS).
Results: The prevalence of acute stroke was 4.7%. Ischemic stroke constituted 78.1% and haemorrhagic
21.9%. Hypertension was the commonest risk factor followed by diabetes. Weakness was the commonest
clinical presentation followed by speech disturbance. The most common hospital complication was
aspiration pneumonia which was seen in 16%. Mortality was high among patients who developed hospital
complications; 80%, 75% and 62.5% mortalities were seen in those with sepsis, aspiration pneumonia and
bed sore. Haemorrhagic stroke carried better prognosis than ischemic.
Conclusion: In stroke patients, weakness was the predominant presentation and hypertension was the
commonest risk factor. Hemorrhagic stroke had good outcome. Development of sepsis, pneumonia and bed
sore were related to high mortality rates.