[A neuroepidemiological study in Beira, Mozambigue]

The application of epidemiology to the field of neurology is relatively recent although it has become so relevant that it is currently recognized as a new specialty: Neuroepidemiology. The objective of our study was to study the morbid-mortality of neurological disorders.

We made a retrospective investigation of all the patients admitted to the Hospital Central de Beira, Mozambique, between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 1999. The source of information used was the clinical histories and data of the Statistics Department. The basis used for classification of the disorders was the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-1CD 9CM (3 digits).

We found that neurological disorders were fifth in the classification of morbidity and third in mortality. Trauma, infections and vascular causes--in that order--were the most important factors in the morbidity of neurological diseases. The highest mortality rate was seen with infections, vascular and neoplastic etiologies. In our study we found disorders which several investigators consider to be almost nonexistent in Africa, such as multiple sclerosis, subacute combined degeneration of the cord and myasthenia gravis amongst others. The morbidity and mortality found for neurological diseases are similar, in general, to those described in Africa.

The importance of neurological disorders in healthcare means that it is essential to have a specialist available for their management.