Survival within 12 months after stroke in Madagascar

Abstract

The data on the long-term prognosis of stroke are scarce in Madagascar. Our objective was to determine survival within 12 months after a stroke event. A longitudinal study was carried out on a hospital cohort of subjects with stroke in Mahajanga in western Madagascar. We included in the study all subjects admitted to adult emergencies at Mahajanga University Hospitals during the year 2019 and diagnosed with stroke. A follow-up by telephone call or by descent at the home of the patients was carried out after at least 12 months from the onset of the disease. We analyzed in-hospital mortality and survival within 12 months after the stroke. At the end of the study period, 144 stroke cases were retained. Strokes accounted for 5.07% of emergency admission causes. Male gender accounted for 51.4% of the population. The average age of the subjects was 60.7 years. In-hospital mortality was 32.6%. Survival at 1 month was 50%, at 3 months 48.4%, and at 12 months 43%. High blood pressure was found as a risk factor for stroke in 79.9% of patients, 76.5% of whom were undertreated. Stroke mortality was high in our population. Most of the deaths occurred during the first month. Improved prevention and care are needed in Madagascar.