Stroke mortality and its predictors in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND Stroke is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Stroke mortality has been noted to be higher in blacks in biracial studies. There have been few studies on stroke mortality and its predictors in Nigeria. This study examines mortality of stroke and its predictors in a Northern Nigerian teaching hospital. METHODS This was a prospective study that was carried out at Jos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. One hundred and twenty stroke patients admitted into the medical wards within one year were assessed. Demographic data was recorded. Patients were examined and ancillary investigations were carried out. The deaths and predictors were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of mortality. RESULTS There were one hundred and twenty participants. Forty two (35%), patients died. Most (76.2%) deaths occurred within the first week. Predictors of mortality on univariate analysis were age ≥ 60 years, male sex, loss of consciousness, high NIHSS score (≥16), the presence of co-morbid conditions and presence of complications. On multivariate analysis, the predictors of mortality were the presence of co-morbid conditions, GCS<10 and high NIHSS score. CONCLUSION Stroke mortality was quite high in this study. Predictors of mortality were the indices of severity and the presence of co-morbid conditions.