[Prognosis for motor deficits after strokes in Burkina Faso]

Stroke is a common, severe, and disabling condition that is recognized as a major public health problem. Our goal was to study the clinical features and prognosis of motor deficits in stroke patients hospitalized in the neurology department of the Yalgado-Oeudraogo University Hospital in Burkina Faso. This cross-sectional study took place from March 1 through September 30, 2012. The study included all patients with motor disabilities following a CT-confirmed stroke that had occurred within the previous month. Patients were reviewed at one month (M1) and three months (M3) to assess their current treatment and their autonomy, by the Barthel Index. During the study period, 59 patients were hospitalized for stroke, 56 with motor disabilities for a 95% prevalence of stroke with motor deficit. Their mean age was 57.8 ± 17.7 years (range: 20 to 84 years), and the sex-ratio of 1.6 (male/female). Overall, 61% of the strokes were ischemic and 39% hemorrhagic, with an equal distribution of right and left hemiplegia (46.4% each) and 7% of the patients showing bilateral involvement. The mortality rate before M1 was 29% and before M3, 40%. On admission, 4% of patients had a Barthel Index greater than 60, at M1 35%, and at M3, 60%. Only 51% of patients received physical therapy. Characteristics significantly associated with functional recovery were age younger than 65 years (p = 0.0026), sphincter disorders at M1 (p = 0.002), hemorrhagic stroke (compared to ischemic) (p = 0.0038), functional rehabilitation (p = 0.0012), and right (versus left) hemisphere damage (p = 0.010).