Acute stroke type, risk factors, and early outcome in a developing country: a view from Sudan using a hospital-based sample.

This hospital-based prospective study was conducted to determine stroke type, risk factors, and early outcome in patients admitted with acute stroke in both Khartoum and Shaab hospitals located in the capital city of Sudan. Consecutive stroke patients presenting within 48 hours of onset were included in the study. Data were obtained from history taking, physical examination, and investigations. Cranial computed tomography (CT) scanning was performed on 18 patients. The diagnosis of stroke type in patients who did not have CT examination was determined by clinical criteria. Ninety-six patients, 56 males and 40 females, were studied. The peak age group was 61 to 80 years. Stroke caused by infarction was found in 58.3% while stroke caused by hemorrhage was found in 41.6%. Hypertension was the most common associated risk factor, constituting 46.9%. Cardiac disease was found in 16%, diabetes mellitus in 14.6%, syphilis in 4.1%, and previous transient ischemic attack in 2.1%. The overall mortality was higher than in western countries. Risk factors for stroke in Sudan are the same as elsewhere; however, the peak age group is one decade earlier than in developed countries. In developing countries, promoting hypertension and acute stroke health care programs are essential to cutting morbidity and mortality rates.