Five-year analysis of clinical presentations and predictors of stroke mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria: A retrospective observational study

Introduction: Stroke mortality and its predictors are important outcome measures in stroke epidemiological studies and clinical trials. There is an observed paucity of data regarding the clinical presentations and predictors of stroke mortality in Southwestern Nigeria. Few available related studies have centred on hospitals in the urban and sub-urban areas; however, none in the rural settings. This study, therefore, focuses on the clinical presentations and predictors of stroke mortality at the adult Emergency Centre of a tertiary hospital situated in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective survey, using data form and standardized questionnaire, was used to study the patients admitted for stroke between January 2015 and December 2019. The data were analysed using SPSS Version 22.0. The results were presented in descriptive and tabular formats. Results: A total of 276 patients were studied. Their mean age was 67.3 +/- 11.1 years. The most common clinical presentations were hemiparesis and cranial nerve deficit. The case of fatality was 10.1%. The predictors of stroke mortality were age >= 65 years [(AOR = 12.752; 95% CI: (1.022-159.190), p = 0.048)], Glascow coma score < 8 [(AOR = 50.348; 95% CI: (7.779-325.866), p < 0.001)], uncontrolled blood pressure [(AOR = 23.321; 95% CI: (2.449-221.927), p = 0.006)], presence of atrial fibrillation [(AOR = 16.456; 95% CI: (2.169-169.336), p = 0.009)], convulsion [(AOR = 25.889; 95% CI: (2.374-282.296), p = 0.008)], heart failure [(AOR = 30.284; 95% CI: (3.265-256.347), p < 0.001)], and a repeat stroke [(AOR = 32.617; 95% CI: (2.410-441.381), p = 0.009)]. Conclusion: The 7-day fatality was 10.1%. The predictors of stroke mortality were poor Glascow coma score, uncontrolled blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, convulsion and a repeat stroke. This study strengthens the argument on the higher prevalence of stroke and its mortality in rural Southwestern Nigeria. Our findings may provide an impetus for prospective research on this outcome.