Stroke mortality in a teaching hospital in South Western Nigeria

Stroke, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is on the increase and with increasing mortality. Our retrospective review of all stroke admissions from 1990-2000 show that cerebrovascular disease accounted for 3.6% (293/8144) of all medical admissions; it has a case fatality rate of 45% with the majority (61%) occurring in the first week; the mean age of stroke deaths was 62 years (standard deviation+/-13); and severe as well as uncontrolled hypertension is the most important risk factor. Community-based programmes aimed at early detection and treatment of hypertension, in addition to screening for those with high risk factors, should be put in place.