Epidemiological and clinical profile of patients admitted for neurological emergencies at the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Neurological emergencies are a major global health challenge, with a significant burden in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients presenting with these acute conditions at the Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

Methods: A descriptive, prospective cross-sectional study was conducted over five months at the Douala General Hospital Emergency Department. Data from all 44 patients admitted for a neurological emergency were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Neurological emergencies represented 3.32% (44/1324) of emergency admissions, primarily affecting males (sex ratio 2.4:1) with a mean age of 54.97 years. The most common presentation was altered consciousness (75%). A concerning mean delay to consultation of 30.42 hours was noted, with 68.2% of transport being non-medical. Hypertension (34.1%) was the key comorbidity. On admission, 40.9% were in a deep coma (GCS ≤8). The main etiologies were Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) (43.2%), followed by stroke (18.2%) and metabolic encephalopathy (18.2%). The overall mortality rate was high at 27.3%. Cardio-respiratory arrest was a significant predictor of mortality (p<0.001).

Conclusion: TBI is the leading cause of neurological emergencies at this urban Cameroonian hospital, followed by stroke and metabolic disorders. The high mortality underscores the critical need for better pre-hospital care, robust public health initiatives against vascular risk factors, and enhanced institutional capacities for advanced diagnosis and therapy.