One-Year Rates and Determinants of Poststroke Systolic Blood Pressure Control among Ghanaians

Determinants of visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability among Ghanaians with hypertension and diabetes mellitus

Objective

To identify the determinants of systolic blood pressure variability (SBPV) among Ghanaians.

Design

We undertook a secondary analysis of data collected in a prospective study.

Setting

The study involved patients with hypertension and or diabetes receiving care in five hospitals in Ghana.

Main outcome measures

We assessed determinants of SBPV among 2,785 Ghanaian patients. We calculated the standard deviation (SD) of systolic BP recordings of 3 to 10 visits per patient over 18 months as a measure of SBPV. A multivariate linear regression analysis was fitted to identify factors independently associated with risk visit-to-visit SBP standard deviation.

Results

The mean SD of individual patient visit-to-visit SBP overall was 14.8± 6.3 mm Hg. Those with hypertension and diabetes had the highest SD of 15.4 ±6.2 mm Hg followed by 15.2 ±6.5 mm Hg among those with hypertension only and then 12.0 ± 5.2 mm Hg among those with diabetes only, p<0.0001. Factors independently associated with SBPV with adjusted β coefficients (95% CI) included age: 0.06 (0.03 - 0.08) for each year rise in age, eGFR -0.03 (-0.05 - -0.02) for each ml/min rise, low monthly income of <210 Ghana cedis 1.45 (0.43-2.46), and secondary level of education -1.10 (-1.69, -0.50). Antihypertensive classes were associated with SBPV, the strongest associations being hydralazine 2.35 (0.03 - 4.68) and Methyldopa 3.08 (2.39 - 3.77).

Conclusion

Several socio-demographic and clinical factors are associated with SBPV. Future studies should assess the contribution of SBPV to CVD outcomes among indigenous Africans and identify actionable targets.

Funding

Funding for this study was provided by MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi (each a Participant Company) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (collectively, the Funders) through the New Venture Fund (NVF). FSS and BO are also supported by funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL152188).

Promise of Physiological Profiling to Prevent Stroke in People of African Ancestry: Prototyping Ghana

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Worldwide, compared to other racial/ethnic groups, individuals of African ancestry have an excessively higher burden of hypertension-related morbidities, especially stroke. Identifying modifiable biological targets that contribute to these disparities could improve global stroke outcomes. In this scoping review, we discuss how pathological perturbations in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone pathways could be harnessed via physiological profiling for the purposes of improving blood pressure control for stroke prevention among people of African ancestry.

RECENT FINDINGS

Transcontinental comparative data from the USA and Ghana show that the prevalence of treatment-resistant hypertension among stroke survivors is 42.7% among indigenous Africans, 16.1% among African Americans, and 6.9% among non-Hispanic Whites, p < 0.0001. A multicenter clinical trial of patients without stroke in 3 African countries (Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa) demonstrated that physiological profiling using plasma renin activity and aldosterone to individualize selection of antihypertensive medications compared with usual care resulted in better blood pressure control with fewer medications over 12 months. Among Ghanaian ischemic stroke survivors treated without renin-aldosterone profiling data, an analysis revealed that those with low renin phenotypes did not achieve any meaningful reduction in blood pressure over 12 months on 3-4 antihypertensive medications despite excellent adherence. For a polygenic condition such as hypertension, individualized therapy based on plasma renin-aldosterone-guided selection of therapy for uncontrolled BP following precision medicine principles may be a viable strategy for primary and secondary stroke prevention with the potential to reduce disparities in the poor outcomes of stroke disproportionately shared by individuals of African ancestry. A dedicated clinical trial to test this hypothesis is warranted.

Atherosclerotic event risk and risk reduction therapies among Ghanaian hemorrhagic stroke survivors

BACKGROUND

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) stroke constitute up to 40% of incident strokes in Africa. While ICH patients are at high risk for atherosclerotic events, the risk-benefit of anti-atherosclerotic therapies in this patient population is uncertain.

PURPOSE

To assess whether utility of statins and/or antithrombotic agents after surviving an ICH correlates with atherosclerotic risk of an observational cohort.

METHODS

We analyzed data in a stroke registry prospectively collected on consecutively encountered stroke survivors seen at an out-patient clinic in Ghana between January 2018 and March 2020. We collected baseline demographic and clinical details, including diagnosis of ICH, co-morbidities, and key atherosclerotic risk reduction therapies (statins and anti-platelet drugs). We computed ischemic vascular risk using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) to classify patients into low, intermediate and high vascular risk.

RESULTS

Of 1101 stroke survivors seen during the period, 244 (22.2%) had ICH. Vascular risk profiles were low (n = 86; 35.2%), intermediate (n = 71; 29.1%) and high (n = 87; 35.7%). Utility of statin use was 76.7% (low risk), 84.5% (intermediate risk), and 87.4% (high risk), p = 0.16 while antiplatelet use trended with atherosclerotic risk being 9.3% (low risk), 25.4% (intermediate risk), and high risk (34.5%), p = 0.0004. Independent factors associated with statin use were hypertension (OR 8.80; 95% CI: 2.34-33.11) and cigarette smoking (OR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.89) while antiplatelet drug use was associated with age (OR 1.43; 95% CI: 1.06-1.92) and time from index stroke (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.02).

CONCLUSION

Approximately two-thirds of ICH survivors in this African sample had intermediate to high risk of future atherosclerotic events. Clinical trials on the timing, safety, and efficacy of statins and antiplatelet drugs among ICH survivors could help better guide risk mitigation in this population.

Factors Linked to Chronic Kidney Disease Among Stroke Survivors in Ghana

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with poor outcomes among stroke survivors. In Africa, where both stroke and CKD incidence rates are escalating, little, if anything, is known about the burden of CKD among stroke survivors.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the frequency and factors associated with CKD among stroke survivors by primary stroke types.

METHODS

Stroke registry data were prospectively collected on consecutively encountered stroke survivors seen at an out-patient clinic in Ghana between January 2018 and March 2020. We calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the CKD-EPI formula and defined CKD as eGFR <60ml/min. Factors associated with CKD were assessed using multiple logistic regression modelling.

RESULTS

Among 759 stroke survivors, 159 had CKD giving a prevalence of 21.0% (95%CI: 18.1% - 23.8%). The mean age of those with CKD was 61.6 ± 14.2 years compared with 57.5 ± 13.6 years, p=0.0007 among those without CKD. Five factors remained significantly associated with CKD with the following adjusted odds ratio (aOR and 95% CI). Age per decile rise 1.30 (1.13-1.50), male sex 1.99 (1.36-2.93), rural dwelling residence 1.95 (1.06-3.59), prior use of antihypertensive meds before index stroke onset 1.63 (1.08-2.47), and number of antihypertensive medication classes 1.25 (1.06-1.45).

CONCLUSION

1 in 5 stroke survivors have evidence of chronic kidney disease in this Ghanaian study. Targeted interventions focusing on optimizing blood pressure control and rural dwellers may mitigate their risk for adverse outcomes.

The Modifiable Risk Factors of Uncontrolled Hypertension in Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed at figuring out the risk factors of uncontrolled hypertension in stroke.

METHOD

This study systematically analyzed the hypertension risk factors available in the ProQuest, EBSCO, and PubMed databases published between 2010 and December 2019. The risk factors' pooled odds ratio (POR) included in this research was calculated using both fixed and random-effect models. The meta-data analysis was processed using the Review Manager 5.3 (Rev Man 5.3).

RESULT

Of 1868 articles, seven studies were included in this review searched using specific keywords. Based on the analysis results, there were 7 risk factors of uncontrolled hypertension in stroke: medication nonadherence (POR = 2.23 [95% CI 1.71-2.89], p = 0.342; I 2 = 6.7%), use of antihypertensive drugs (POR = 1.13 [95% CI 1.19-1.59, p = 0.001; I 2 = 90.9%), stage of hypertension (POR = 1.14 [95% CI 1.02-1.27], p = <0.001; I 2 = 97.1%), diabetes mellitus (POR = 0.71 [95% CI 0.52-0.99], p = <0.001; I 2 = 96.5%), atrial fibrillation (POR = 1.74 [95% CI 1.48-2.04)], p = <0.001; I 2 = 93.1%), triglycerides (POR = 1.47 [95% CI 1.23-1.75], p = 0.879; I 2 = 0%), and age (POR = 1.03 [95% CI 0.89-1.18], p = <0.001; I 2 = 97.5%]. There were no bias publications among studies. Medication nonadherence and triglycerides had homogeneous variations, while the others had heterogeneous variations.

CONCLUSION

Medication nonadherence, triglycerides, stage of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and use of antihypertensive drugs significantly affect the uncontrolled hypertension in stroke.

A Gap in Post-Stroke Blood Pressure Target Attainment at Entry to Cardiac Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND

Recurrent events account for approximately one-third of all strokes and are associated with greater disability and mortality than first-time strokes. Blood pressure (BP) is the most important modifiable risk factor. Objectives were to determine the proportion of post-stroke patients enrolled in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) meeting systolic and diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) targets and to determine correlates of meeting these targets.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 1,804 consecutively enrolled post-stroke patients in a CR program was conducted. Baseline data (database records 2006-2017) included demographics, anthropometrics, clinical/medication history, and resting BP. Multivariate analyses determined predictors of achieving BP targets.

RESULTS

Mean age was 64.1 ± 12.7 years, median days from stroke 210 (IQR 392), with most patients being male (70.6%; n = 1273), overweight (66.8%; n = 1196), and 64.2% diagnosed with hypertension (n = 1159), and 11.8% (n = 213) with sleep apnea. A mean of 1.69 ± 1.2 antihypertensives were prescribed, with 26% (n = 469) of patients prescribed 3-4 antihypertensives. SBP target was met by 71% (n = 1281) of patients, 83.3% (n = 1502) met DBP target, and 64.3% (n = 1160) met both targets. Correlates of meeting SBP target were not having diabetes, younger age, fewer prescribed antihypertensives, and more recent program entry. Correlates of meeting DBP target were not having diabetes, older age, fewer prescribed antihypertensives, and more recent stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

Up to one-third of patients were not meeting BP targets. Patients with diabetes, and those prescribed multiple antihypertensives are at greater risk for poorly controlled SBP and DBP. Reasons for poor BP control such as untreated sleep apnea and medication non-adherence need to be investigated.

Prevalence and predictors of post-stroke epilepsy among Ghanaian stroke survivors

BACKGROUND

Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is associated with poorer quality of life, higher mortality, and greater health expenditures. We are unaware of any published reports on the frequency of and factors associated with PSE in Africa.

PURPOSE

To assess the frequency and factors associated with PSE among Ghanaian stroke survivors.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of consecutive stroke survivors seen at an out-patient Neurology clinic enrolled into a stroke registry at a tertiary medical center in Ghana between January 2018 and March 2020. We collected baseline demographic and clinical details including diagnosis of post-stroke epilepsy, anti-epileptic medications, presence, treatment and control of vascular risk factors. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to identify factors associated with PSE.

RESULTS

Of 1101 stroke patients encountered, 126 had PSE (frequency of 11.4%; 95% CI of 9.6-13.5%). Mean (± SD) age among PSE vs. non-PSE patients was 57.7 (± 15.2) vs. 58.7 (± 13.9) years. Factors independently associated with PSE were being male (aOR 1.94; 95% CI: 1.32-2.86), cortical ischemic strokes (1.79; 1.12-2.87), blood pressure > 130/80 mmHg (OR 2.26; 1.06-4.79), use of antihypertensive treatment (OR 0.43; 0.23-0.79). There was an inverted J-shaped curve association between number of classes of antihypertensive drugs prescribed and occurrence of PSE, with the lowest inflection point at 3 classes (OR 0.34; 0.17-0.68).

CONCLUSION

In this convenience sample of ambulatory Ghanaian stroke survivors, one in ten had PSE. Further investigations to confirm and clarify the associations between the identified demographic and clinical characteristics are warranted.

Evaluation of Vascular Event Risk while on Long-term Anti-retroviral Suppressive Therapy [EVERLAST]: Protocol for a prospective observational study

Background & objective

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among the HIV population is high due to a combination of accelerated atherosclerosis from the pro-inflammatory milieu created by chronic HIV infection and the potentially adverse metabolic side effects from cART (combination antiretroviral therapy) medications. Although sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears 70% of the global burden of HIV disease, there is a relative paucity of studies comprehensively assessing CVD risk among people living with HIV on the continent. The overarching objective of the Evaluation of Vascular Event Risk while on Long-term Anti-retroviral Suppressive Therapy (EVERLAST) Study is to characterize the burden of CVD among HIV patients on ART in Ghana, and explore factors influencing it.

Methods

The EVERLAST study incorporates prospective CVD risk assessments and a convergent mixed methods approach. This prospective study will evaluate CVD risk by measuring Carotid Intimal Media Thickness (CIMT) and presence of traditional medical and lifestyle vascular risk among 240 Ghanaian HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy compared with age- and sex-matched HIV uninfected (n = 240) and HIV positive ART naïve controls (n = 240). A contextual qualitative analysis will also be conducted to determine attitudes/perceptions of various key local stakeholders about CVD risk among HIV patients. The primary outcome measure will be CIMT measured cross-sectionally and prospectively among the three groups. A host of secondary outcome variables including CVD risk factors, CVD risk equations, HIV associated neurocognitive dysfunction and psychological well-being will also be assessed.

Conclusion

EVERLAST will provide crucial insights into the unique contributions of ART exposure and environmental factors such as lifestyle, traditional beliefs, and socio-economic indicators to CVD risk among HIV patients in a resource-limited setting. Ultimately, findings from our study will be utilized to develop interventions that will be tested in a randomized controlled trial to provide evidence to guide CVD risk management in SSA.

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EVERLAST seeks to assess the burden and determinants of cardiovascular risk among Ghanaian HIV patients

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A mixed methods study with prospective analyses of CVD risk factors among HIV patients and HIV-negative controls over 12 months

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Primary outcome measure is sub-clinical carotid atherosclerosis measured using B-mode ultrasound.

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Secondary outcome measures include neurocognitive dysfunction, and CVD events.

Incident stroke among Ghanaians with hypertension and diabetes: A multicenter, prospective cohort study

Background

The burden of stroke among hypertensive and diabetic population in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. We sought to identify the risk factors associated with stroke occurrence in these high-risk population groups.

Methods

A prospective cohort study involving adults with hypertension and or type II diabetes mellitus at 5 public hospitals in Ghana who were stroke-free at enrollment. Patients were followed every 2 months at clinic for 18 months and assessed clinically for first ever stroke by physicians. We calculated crude incidence rates for stroke and assessed the factors associated with stroke occurrence using a multivariate Cox Proportional Hazards regression models.

Results

Of 3220 eligible participants with 3805 person-years of follow-up, there were 54 clinically confirmed new strokes. Incidence rate of stroke was 14.19 events per 1000 person-years [95% CI: 10.77–18.38], with rates among diabetics with hypertension being 16.64 [10.58–25.00], hypertension of 13.77 [9.33–19.64] and diabetes was 9.81 [3.59–21.74]. Two factors independently associated with stroke occurrence were previous cigarette smoking with adjusted HR (95% CI) of 2.59 (1.18–5.67) and physical inactivity, 1.81 (1.06–3.10). In secondary analysis, stage II hypertension compared with optimal BP was associated with aHR of 3.04 (1.00–9.27), p = .05 for stroke occurrence.

Conclusion

Incident stroke among Ghanaians with hypertension and diabetes is quite high. Stricter control of blood pressure and engaging in regular physical activities are strongly recommended to reduce the risk of strokes.

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The first prospective cohort study to assess factors associated with incident strokes among Ghanaians

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3220 participants stroke free adults with hypertension or diabetes were followed for an average of 14 months

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There were 54 strokes with incidence rate of 14.19 events per 1000 person-years

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Patients with both diabetes with hypertension had highest stroke rates

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Previous cigarette smoking and physical inactivity were independently associated with incident strokes

Stroke Care Services in Africa: A Systematic Review

Background: Stroke is the second leading cause of death and adult-onset disability globally. Although its incidence is reducing in developed countries, low- and middle-income countries, especially African countries, are witnessing an increase in cases of stroke, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Evidently, a new paradigm is needed on the continent to tackle this growing burden of stroke in its preventative and treatment aspects.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the scope of stroke care services, where they exist, and their relationship with currently existing health systems.

Methods: A detailed literature search was undertaken referring to PubMed and Google Scholar for articles from January 1960 to March 2018, using a range of search terms. Of 93 publications, 45 papers were shortlisted, and 21 reviewed articles on existing stroke services were included.

Results: The literature on models of stroke services in Africa is sparse. We identified focused systems of care delivery in the hyperacute, acute, and rehabilitative phases of stroke in a few African countries. There is a continent-wide paucity of data on the organization of prehospital stroke services. Only 3 African countries (South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco) reported experiences on thrombolysis. Also, the uptake of dedicated stroke units appears limited across the continent. Encouragingly, there are large-scale secondary prevention models on the continent, mostly within the context of experimental research projects, albeit with promising results. We found only 1 article on the interventional aspects of stroke care in our review, and this was a single-center report.

Conclusions: The literature on the organization of stroke services is sparse in Africa. Dedicated action at policy, population, community, and hospital-based levels is urgently needed toward the organization of stroke services to tame the burgeoning burden of stroke on the African continent.

Stroke care in Africa: A systematic review of the literature

Background

Appropriate systems of stroke care are important to manage the increasing death and disability associated with stroke in Africa. Information on existing stroke services in African countries is limited.

Aim

To describe the status of stroke care in Africa.

Summary of review

We undertook a systematic search of the published literature to identify recent (1 January 2006–20 June 2017) publications that described stroke care in any African country. Our initial search yielded 838 potential papers, of which 38 publications were eligible representing 14/54 African countries. Across the publications included for our review, the proportion of stroke patients reported to arrive at hospital within 3 h from stroke onset varied between 10% and 43%. The median time interval between stroke onset and hospital admission was 31 h. Poor awareness of stroke signs and symptoms, shortages of medical transportation, health care personnel, and stroke units, and the high cost of brain imaging, thrombolysis, and outpatient physiotherapy rehabilitation services were reported as major barriers to providing best-practice stroke care in Africa.

Conclusions

This review provides an overview of stroke care in Africa, and highlights the paucity of available data. Stroke care in Africa usually fell below the recommended standards with variations across countries and settings. Combined efforts from policy makers and health care professionals in Africa are needed to improve, and ensure access, to organized stroke care in as many settings as possible. Mechanisms to routinely monitor usual care (i.e., registries or audits) are also needed to inform policy and practice.

Stroke Minimization through Additive Anti-atherosclerotic Agents in Routine Treatment (SMAART): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

There is an unprecedented rise in the prevalence of stroke in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Secondary prevention guidelines recommend that antihypertensive, statin and antiplatelet therapy be initiated promptly after ischemic stroke and adhered to in a persistent fashion to achieve optimal vascular-risk reduction. However, these goals are seldom realized in routine clinical care settings in SSA due to logistical challenges.

We seek to assess whether a polypill containing fixed doses of three antihypertensive agents, a statin and antiplatelet therapy taken once daily per os for 12 months among recent stroke survivors would result in carotid intimal thickness regression compared with usual care (UC).

Methods

The Stroke Minimization through Additive Anti-atherosclerotic Agents in Routine Treatment (SMAART) trial is a phase 2, open-label, evaluator-blinded trial involving 120 Ghanaian recent-ischemic-stroke survivors. Using a computer-generated sequence, patients will be randomly allocated 1:1 into either the intervention arm or UC. Patients in the intervention arm will receive Polycap DS® (containing aspirin, 100 mg; atenolol, 50 mg; ramipril, 5 mg; thiazide, 12.5 mg; simvastatin, 20 mg) taken as two capsules once daily. Patients in the UC will receive separate, individual secondary preventive medications prescribed at the physician’s discretion. Both groups will be followed for 12 months to assess changes in carotid intimal thickness regression – a surrogate marker of atherosclerosis – as primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures include adherence to therapy, safety and tolerability, health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction, functional status, depression and cognitive dysfunction.

Discussion

An efficacy-suggesting SMAART trial could inform the future design of a multi-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial comparing the clinical efficacy of the polypill strategy for vascular risk moderation among stroke survivors in SSA.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03329599. Registered on 11 February 2017.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2564-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Long-Term Outcomes of Stroke in a Ghanaian Outpatient Clinic

BACKGROUND

Compared with high-income countries, sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries experience a comparatively higher early mortality from stroke. However, data on long-term mortality from stroke in SSA are lacking.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim is to assess long-term outcomes of stroke in an SSA setting.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of longitudinal data involving 607 consecutive stroke survivor encountered at an outpatient clinic in Kumasi, Ghana, between January 2012 and June 2014. Data were closed for analysis in June 2016. Data on demography, presence of vascular risk factors, stroke type, and functional status were evaluated. We followed up subjects who were no longer attending clinic by phone to assess their vital status. Primary outcome was death after initiation of clinic care, and its predictors were determined using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

Mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of cohort was 59.9 ± 13.9 years and 50.3% were female. Of the 607 stroke survivors, 377 (62.1%) were still alive, 59 (9.7%) were confirmed to have died, whereas 171 (28.2%) were lost to follow-up at the clinic. Mean ± SD observation time for the cohort was 32 ± 30 months. Upon adjustment for confounders, the independent predictors of mortality were age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] of 1.41 [95% confidence interval 1.15-1.73] for a 10-year increase in age) and diabetes mellitus (aHR of 2.24 [1.32-3.80]).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes mellitus, a modifiable risk factor for stroke, is associated with an increased risk of mortality among West African stroke survivors over the long term.

Burden and Predictors of Poststroke Cognitive Impairment in a Sample of Ghanaian Stroke Survivors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

There are limited data on vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) from low- and middle-income countries where the stroke burden is burgeoning. The aim of this study was to characterize the burden, determinants, and effects of VCI on health-related quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

From January 2015 to February 2016, we collected information on 147 consecutive stroke survivors (>45 years) seen at a tertiary hospital in Ghana and 49 demographically matched stroke-free controls. Data collected included demographics, clinical factors, health-related quality of life, and presence of depression. Cognitive status was evaluated using a standard Vascular Neuropsychological Battery that assessed memory, executive function and mental speed, language, and visuospatial-visuoconstructive functioning. Expert VCI guideline and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition criteria were used to classify stroke patients into no VCI, VCI but no dementia, and vascular dementia (VD).

RESULTS

The mean age ± standard deviation of the stroke survivors was 59.9 ± 13.7 years, of which 47.6% were women. Among the cohort, 77 out of 147 (52.3%) had no VCI, 50 of the 147 (34.0%) had VCI without dementia, and 20 of the 147 (13.6%) had VD. Three factors remained significantly associated with VCI: increasing age for each successive 10-year rise (odds ratio [OR] 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-2.02), lack of formal education (OR 5.26, 95% CI: 1.01-27.52), and worse functional disability on the modified Rankin scale (OR 2.46, 95% CI: 1.61-3.75). Patients with VD had the poorest health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

Half of the Ghanaian stroke survivors encountered in this cross-sectional study had evidence of cognitive dysfunction. Future studies in SSA will need to identify strategies to address this immense burden.

Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network: Public Outreach and Engagement

Stroke is becoming a leading cause of disability and death, and a major public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network (SIREN) seeks to comprehensively characterize the genomic, sociocultural, economic, and behavioral risk factors for stroke and to build effective teams for research to address and decrease the burden of stroke and other non-communicable diseases in SSA. One of the first steps to address this goal was to effectively engage the communities that suffer high burdens of disease in SSA. This paper describes the process of SIREN project's community engagement activities in Ghana and Nigeria. The aims of community engagement (CE) within SIREN are to: i) elucidate information about knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices (KABP) about stroke and its risk factors from individuals of African ancestry in SSA; ii) educate the community about stroke and ways to decrease disabilities and deaths from stroke; and iii) recruit 3000 control research subjects to participate in a case-control stroke study. CE focused on three-pronged activities-constitution and interaction with Community Advisory Board (CABs), Focus Group Discussions (n=27) and community education and outreach programs (n=88). FGDs and outreach programs indicate that knowledge of stroke, as well as risk factors and follow-up evidence-based care is limited and often late. Almost all indicated that genetic testing could help health provider’s better treat stroke and help scientists better understand the causes of stroke. Over 7000 individuals have received education on cardiovascular risk factors and about 5,000 have been screened for cardiovascular risk factors during the outreaches. The CE core within SIREN is a first of its kind public outreach engagement initiative to evaluate and address perceptions about stroke and genomics by patients, caregivers, and local leaders in SSA and has implications as a model for assessment in other high stroke risk populations.