Stroke in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients admitted to emergency unit in Central African country (Congo): Preliminary findings

Background: The cardiovascular risk factors including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with stroke in T2DM patients admitted to the emergency Unit in Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: This is the preliminary findings of a cross-sectional study including patients with T2DM, admitted in Emergency Unit of University Hospital of Brazzaville from January to April 2011. One hundred and seven patients were included. Sex ratio was 1.5. Results: The mean age was 60.3 ± 10.2 years (range 40 - 80 years). Stroke story was noted in 5 cases (4.6%). The main pathologies were metabolic complications (n = 51; 47.6%) and cardiovascular diseases (n = 36; 33.6%), dominated by stroke (17 cases). Epidemiological factors associated with stroke were high standard living (OR = 3, 95% CI: 1.02 - 8.9, p = 0.03), polypharmacy (OR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.27 - 10.8, p = 0.01), previous hospitalization (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.07 - 8.9, p = 0.03), and the absence of antiplatelet therapy (OR = 4.2, 95% CI 1.2 to 15, p = 0.03). Clinical associated factors were coma (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.14 to 9.6, p = 0.02) and the presence of severe hypertension (OR = 4, 95% CI: 1.2 - 12, p = 0.02). Finally, prognostic factors were the transfer in intensive care unit (OR = 9.8, 95% CI: 2.7 - 34, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The first cardiovascular complication in patients with T2DM admitted in emergency at University Hospital of Brazzaville is stroke. Primary prevention in high-risk patients is still inadequate.