Pattern of Neurologic Emergencies in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital-Emergency Department in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Neurological emergencies are a frequent presentations and often times with devastating short and long term consequences. Neurological disorders are increasingly prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa with the paucity of data on adult neurological emergencies in the region. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the pattern of neurologic emergencies in TASH, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method: This was a Retrospective cross sectional study of adult patients with neurologic emergencies evaluated in emergency department of Tikur Anbessa Specialized and teaching Hospital from February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014. Results: Neurological emergencies accounted for 5.27% of the total medical emergencies. The mean age of the patients was 44.68 ± 1.1 years and males outnumbered Females giving a sex ratio (M: F) of 1.22:1. The most common neurologic emergencies were cerebrovascular disorder (54%), neurologic complications of HIV/AIDS (9%), meningitis (8.7%) and seizure disorder (7.7%). Hemiparesis, altered mental status and convulsion were the common presenting features accounting 44%, 19.3% and 13.1%, respectively. The overall mortality rate of neurologic emergencies was 27.3%. Conclusion: Cerebrovascular disorders, neurologic complications of HIV/AIDS, meningitis and seizure disorder are the most common diseases, and the causes of neurological morbidity are preventable and had high case fatality rates.