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Laizer S, Kilonzo K, Urasa S, Maro V, Walker R, Howlett W. Neurological disorders in a consultant hospital in Northern Tanzania. A cohort study. eNeurologicalSci 2019; 14:101-105. [PMID: 30828651 PMCID: PMC6382946 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical findings and outcome by HIV status in a series of adult patients presenting with neurological disorders (NDs) and admitted to a consultant hospital in Northern Tanzania. METHODS A cohort study took place over a 6-month period from Oct 2007 to March 2008 and included all adult patients with a neurological disorder admitted to the medical wards. RESULTS A total of 1790 patients were admitted during this period, of whom 337 (18.8%) were diagnosed with a neurological disorder and formed the study group. Of these 337, 69 (20.5%) were HIV-positive. Among the 69 HIV positives, 25% were previously known to be HIV seropositive of whom 82% were on antiretroviral (ARV) medication. Seropositive patients were more likely than seronegative patients to be younger, better educated, have a business occupation, present clinically with confusion, headache and aphasia and have meningitis/CNS infection or a space occupying lesion. Seropositive patients were more likely to present with a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of 9-12/15 (33.3% v 17.2%). Seropositive patients had a median CD4 T-lymphocyte count of 47cells/L and were more likely to be anaemic and have an elevated ESR. CT of the head was carried out on 132/337 (39%) patients. The overall findings were infarction 37%, hemorrhage 19%, tumors 15% and abscesses 9%. Brain abscess was more likely in seropositive patients and hemorrhage in seronegatives. The outcome at discharge for all patients was: death 27.6%, disability 54% and no disability 18.4% with death (39.1%) being more likely in seropositive patients. Patients presenting with coma (GCS <9/15) were more likely to die whilst those with stroke, para/quadriplegia and space occupying lesions (SOLs) were more likely to be discharged with disability. Case fatality rate was highest for tetanus 71.4%, meningitis 57.1%, cerebral malaria 42.9% and CNS infections 37.1%. Seropositive patients presenting with meningitis and other CNS infections were more likely to die than seronegatives. CONCLUSION This study reports NDs occurring in one fifth of adult medical admissions with stroke and infections as the leading causes. The prevalence of HIV infection in NDs was 20%. The HIV positive cohort was characterized by advanced immunosuppression, CNS infections and high mortality.
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Key Words
- ARV, antiretroviral
- CFR, case fatality rate
- CNS, central nervous system
- CT, computerized tomography
- Disorders
- ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- FBC, full blood count
- GCS, Glasgow coma score
- HIV
- HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Hospital
- IQR, interquartile range
- IRIS, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome
- KCMC, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre
- NDs, neurological disorders
- Neurological
- OR, odds ratio
- Outcome
- SOL, space occupying lesion
- SSA, sub-Saharan Africa
- Tanzania
- WBC, white blood count
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Affiliation(s)
- Saitore Laizer
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Kajiru Kilonzo
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Sarah Urasa
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Venance Maro
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Richard Walker
- Department of Medicine, North Tyneside General Hospital, Rake Lane, North Shields, Tyne and Wear NE29 8NH, UK
| | - William Howlett
- Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, PO Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania
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Siddiqi OK, Elafros MA, Sikazwe I, Birbeck GL, Kalungwana L, Potchen MJ, Bositis CM, Koralnik IJ, Theodore WH. Acute EEG findings in HIV-infected Zambian adults with new-onset seizure. Neurology 2015; 84:1317-22. [PMID: 25740861 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000001411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe acute EEG findings in HIV-infected adults with new-onset seizure, assess baseline clinical characteristics associated with EEG abnormalities, and evaluate the relationship between EEG abnormalities and recurrent seizure. METHODS Eighty-one HIV-infected adults with new-onset seizure had EEG recordings during their index admission. Baseline characteristics assessed included HIV stage, seizure semiology, serum and CSF studies, neuroimaging, cognitive function based on the Zambian Mini-Mental State Examination and International HIV Dementia Scale, and psychiatric symptoms using the Shona Symptom Questionnaire. We evaluated the relationship between baseline characteristics and EEG abnormalities. Patients were followed for seizure recurrence, and the association between acute EEG abnormalities and seizure recurrence was assessed. Death was a secondary outcome. RESULTS Fifty-five patients had abnormal EEGs (68%): 18 (22%) had interictal spikes (12) or a recorded seizure (6). Among baseline clinical characteristics, more advanced HIV disease (p = 0.039) and any imaging abnormality (p = 0.027) were associated with abnormal EEGs. Cortical (p = 0.008) and white matter (p = 0.004) abnormalities were associated with slow posterior dominant rhythm. Patients were followed for a median of 303 days (interquartile range 103-560). Twenty-four (30%) died and 23 (28%) had recurrent seizures. EEG abnormalities were not associated with recurrent seizure. There was a nonsignificant association between seizures recorded during EEG and death (67% vs 26%, p = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS EEG abnormalities are common in this population, particularly in patients with imaging abnormalities and advanced HIV. Acute EEG abnormalities were not associated with recurrent seizure, but high mortality rates during follow-up limited this analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar K Siddiqi
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
| | - Melissa A Elafros
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Izukanji Sikazwe
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Gretchen L Birbeck
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lisa Kalungwana
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Michael J Potchen
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Christopher M Bositis
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Igor J Koralnik
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - William H Theodore
- From the Global Neurology Program (O.K.S., I.J.K.), Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Department of Internal Medicine (O.K.S.), University of Zambia School of Medicine, Lusaka; International Neurologic and Psychiatric Epidemiology Program (M.A.E.) and College of Human Medicine (M.A.E.), Michigan State University, East Lansing; Epilepsy Division, Department of Neurology (G.L.B.), and Neuroradiology Division, Department of Imaging Sciences (M.J.P.), University of Rochester, NY; Chikankata Epilepsy Care Team (G.L.B.), Mazabuka; Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (I.S.), Lusaka; Department of Psychiatry (L.K.), University of Zambia, Lusaka; Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (C.M.B.), MA; and Clinical Epilepsy Section (W.H.T.), NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD
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Lekoubou A, Echouffo-Tcheugui JB, Kengne AP. Epidemiology of neurodegenerative diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2014; 14:653. [PMID: 24969686 PMCID: PMC4094534 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries are experiencing rapid transitions with increased life expectancy. As a result the burden of age-related conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases might be increasing. We conducted a systematic review of published studies on common neurodegenerative diseases, and HIV-related neurocognitive impairment in SSA, in order to identify research gaps and inform prevention and control solutions. METHODS We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, 'Banque de Données de Santé Publique' and the database of the 'Institut d'Epidemiologie Neurologique et de Neurologie Tropicale' from inception to February 2013 for published original studies from SSA on neurodegenerative diseases and HIV-related neurocognitive impairment. Screening and data extraction were conducted by two investigators. Bibliographies and citations of eligible studies were investigated. RESULTS In all 144 publications reporting on dementia (n = 49 publications, mainly Alzheimer disease), Parkinsonism (PD, n = 20), HIV-related neurocognitive impairment (n = 47), Huntington disease (HD, n = 19), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, n = 15), cerebellar degeneration (n = 4) and Lewy body dementia (n = 1). Of these studies, largely based on prevalent cases from retrospective data on urban populations, half originated from Nigeria and South Africa. The prevalence of dementia (Alzheimer disease) varied between <1% and 10.1% (0.7% and 5.6%) in population-based studies and from <1% to 47.8% in hospital-based studies. Incidence of dementia (Alzheimer disease) ranged from 8.7 to 21.8/1000/year (9.5 to 11.1), and major risk factors were advanced age and female sex. HIV-related neurocognitive impairment's prevalence (all from hospital-based studies) ranged from <1% to 80%. Population-based prevalence of PD and ALS varied from 10 to 235/100,000, and from 5 to 15/100,000 respectively while that for Huntington disease was 3.5/100,000. Equivalent figures for hospital based studies were the following: PD (0.41 to 7.2%), ALS (0.2 to 8.0/1000), and HD (0.2/100,000 to 46.0/100,000). CONCLUSIONS The body of literature on neurodegenerative disorders in SSA is large with regard to dementia and HIV-related neurocognitive disorders but limited for other neurodegenerative disorders. Shortcomings include few population-based studies, heterogeneous diagnostic criteria and uneven representation of countries on the continent. There are important knowledge gaps that need urgent action, in order to prepare the sub-continent for the anticipated local surge in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Andre P Kengne
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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