Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in Dakar, Senegal - A hospital-based study

Background and Purpose - Basic stroke features are hardly known in sub-Saharan countries, and no data are available in Senegal. Methods - We performed a retrospective hospital-based study in Dakar, Senegal, to assess risk factors and etiology of stroke. Patients were recruited from January 1, 2003, to July 31, 2004, at the Hopital Principal, Dakar. Strokes had to be ascertained by computed tomography. Results - A total of 107 patients were studied. Seventy percent of strokes were of ischemic nature. For ischemic strokes, mean age was 64.2 years. Hypertension was the main risk factor, occurring in 68%, and diabetes was encountered in 37.3%. Lacunar strokes and cardioembolism accounted for 20% and 13.3%, respectively. Because of the lack of systematic investigations, two thirds of strokes were of undetermined origin. Mortality within 1 month was 38%. For hemorrhagic strokes, mean age was 51 years and 1 month mortality was 56%. Conclusion - Hypertension is the main risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in this hospital-based study.