Abstract
BackgroundStroke is a major health issue in Nigeria and it is also a common cause of emergency admissions. Stroke often results in increased morbidity, mortality and reduced quality of life in people thus affected. The risk factors for stroke include metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus (DM). The stress of an acute stroke may present with hyperglycaemia and in persons without a prior history of DM, may be a pointer to stress hyperglycaemia or undiagnosed DM.MethodologyThis was a cross sectional study carried out over a period of one year in a teaching hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Patients with acute stroke admitted to the hospital within three days of the episode of stroke and who met other inclusion criteria for the Study were consecutively recruited. Clinically relevant data was documented and biochemical assessments were carried out within three days of hospitalization. Tests for lipid profile, glycosylated haemoglobin(HbA1c), and blood glucose at presentation were carried out. The presence of past history of DM, undiagnosed DM, stress hyperglycaemia and abnormal lipid profile were noted. Students t test and Chi square were the statistical tests employed.ResultsA total of 137 persons with stroke were recruited of which 107 (76%) met the defining criteria for ischaemic stroke. The mean age and age range of the Study subjects were 62.2 (11.7) and 26–89 years respectively. The Study subjects were classified according to their glycaemic status into the following categories viz; stress hyperglycaemia, euglycaemia, DM and previously undiagnosed DM. Stress hyperglycaemia occurred commonly in the fifth decade of life and its incidence was comparable between those with cerebral and haemorrhagic stroke. The commonly occurring lipid abnormalities were elevated LDL-C and low HDL.ConclusionsThe detection of abnormal metabolic milieu is a window of opportunity for aggressive management in persons with stroke as this will improve outcome. Routine screening for hyperglycaemia in persons with stroke using glycosylated haemoglobin tests and blood glucose may uncover previously undiagnosed DM.
Highlights
Stroke is a major health issue in Nigeria and it is a common cause of emergency admissions
The Study subjects were classified according to their glycaemic status into the following categories viz; stress hyperglycaemia, euglycaemia, diabetes mellitus (DM) and previously undiagnosed DM
The main Objective of this Study is the documentation of the frequency of occurrence of Stress hyperglycaemia, undiagnosed DM, DM and dyslipidaemia in patients with acute Stroke
Summary
Stroke is a major health issue in Nigeria and it is a common cause of emergency admissions. The risk factors for stroke include metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidaemia and diabetes mellitus (DM). The burden of Stroke in Nigeria is such that it is responsible for 1.8% of all deaths in the emergency unit with case fatality rates that increase from 9% to 46% depending on the duration of the event [4]. Some metabolic abnormalities that are oft documented in Stroke patients include dyslipidaemia and hyperglycaemia. Non-diabetic patients presenting with an acute stroke often have hyperglycaemia and this may be transient and due to the acute stress response or truly representative of undiagnosed abnormal glucose metabolism. Acute hyperglycemia has been documented to be a predictor of in-hospital mortality after ischemic stroke in nondiabetic patients and increased risk of poor functional recovery in non-diabetic stroke survivors [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
