Epidemiological Features of Degenerative Brain Diseases as They Occurred in Yaounde Referral Hospitals over a 9-Year Period

Objective and Methods: It was the aim of this study to determine the relative prevalence and characteristics of degenerative disorders of the main central nervous system in Cameroon. Medical files of neurological consultations of the two main teaching hospitals of Yaounde were considered for a 9-year period ranging from 1993 to 2001. Clinical and epidemiological data were recorded for each patient. Results: Degenerative brain disorders accounted for 3.9% of consultations during the study period. Of the 84 patients received for degenerative disorders, 62 (73.8%) were men. Their age ranged from 9 to 84 years, with a mean of 54.16 years. The main degenerative diseases recorded were the following: Parkinson disease (48.8%), chorea (20.2%), dementia (19%) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (12%). Conclusion: Degenerative brain disorders are not rare in our setting. The appropriate diagnosis and management in this environment may be compromised by the prohibitive cost of diagnostic facilities and the lack of qualified personnel.