PREDICTORS OF 30-DAY MORTALITY AMONG STROKE PATIENTS ADMITTED AT A TERTIARY TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NORTHWESTERN TANZANIA: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Stroke is the 2nd leading cause of death worldwide, with the highest mortality in Low-middle-income countries particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to investigate the predictors of 30-day mortality among stroke patients admitted at a tertiary hospital in Northwestern Tanzania. This cohort study recruited patients with a World Health Organization definition for stroke. Baseline data and post-stroke complications were recorded. Head CT-scan and a 12-lead electrocardiography were performed. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) were used to assess stroke severity and outcomes respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to describe survival and Cox-proportional hazards model was used to examine predictors of mortality. A total of 135 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 64.5 years. The 30-day mortality was 37%. Among patients with hemorrhagic stroke 25% died within day-5 vs day-23 for ischemic stroke (p