Browsing by Author "Sarfo F. S."

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Dominant modifiable risk factors for stroke in Ghana and and Nigeria (SIREN): a case-control study
(Elsevier Ltd., 2018) Owolabi M. O.; Sarfo F. S.; Akinyemi R. O.; Gebregziabher M.; Akpa O.; Akpalu A.; Wahab K.; Obiako R.; Owolabi L.; Ovbiagele B.
Background Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest incidence, prevalence, and fatality from stroke globally. Yet, only little information about context-specific risk factors for prioritising interventions to reduce the stroke burden in sub-Saharan Africa is available. We aimed to identify and characterise the effect of the top modifiable risk factors for stroke in sub Saharan Africa. Methods The Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) study is a multicentre, case-control study done at 15 sites in Nigeria and Ghana. Cases were adults (aged ≥18 years) with stroke confirmed by CT or MRI. Controls were age-matched and gender-matched stroke-free adults (aged ≥18 years) recruited from the communities in catchment areas of cases. Comprehensive assessment for vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors was done using standard instruments. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and population attributable risks (PARs) with 95% CIs. Findings Between Aug 28, 2014, and June 15, 2017, we enrolled 2118 case-control pairs (1192 [56%] men) with mean ages of 59•0 years (SD 13•8) for cases and 57•8 years (13•7) for controls. 1430 (68%) had ischaemic stoke, 682 (32%) had haemorrhagic stroke, and six x (<1%) had discrete ischaemic and haemorrhagic lesions. 98•2% (95% CI 97•2–99•0) of adjusted PAR of stroke was associated with 11 potentially modifiable risk factors with ORs and PARs in descending order of PAR of 19•36 (95% CI 12•11–30•93) and 90•8% (95% CI 87•9–93•7) for hypertension, 1•85 (1•44–2•38) and 35•8% (25•3–46•2) for dyslipidaemia, 1•59 (1•19–2•13) and 31•1% (13•3–48•9) for regular meat consumption, 1•48 (1•13–1•94) and 26•5% (12•9–40•2) for elevated waist-to-hip ratio, 2•58 (1•98–3•37) and 22•1% (17•8–26•4) for diabetes, 2•43 (1•81–3•26) and 18•2% (14•1–22•3) for low green leafy vegetable consumption, 1•89 (1•40–2•54) and 11•6% (6•6–16•7) for stress, 2•14 (1•34–3•43) and 5•3% (3•3–7•3) for added salt at the table, 1•65 (1•09–2•49) and 4•3% (0•6–7•9) for cardiac disease, 2•13 (1•12–4•05) and 2•4% (0•7–4•1) for physical inactivity, and 4•42 (1•75–11•16) and 2•3% (1•5–3•1) for current cigarette smoking. Ten of these factors were associated with ischaemic stroke and six with haemorrhagic stroke occurrence. Interpretation Implementation of interventions targeting these leading risk factors at the population level should substantially curtail the burden of stroke among Africans.
Echocardiographic abnormalities and determinants of 1-month outcome of stroke among West Africans in the SIREN Study
(American Heart Association, 2019) Adeoye A. M.; Ovbiagele B.; Akinyemi J. O.; Ogah O. S.; Akinyemi R.; Gebregziabher M.; Wahab K.; Fakunle A. G.; Akintunde A.; Adebayo O.; Aje A.; Tiwari H. K; Arnett D.; Agyekum F.; Appiah L. T.; Amusa G.; Olunuga T. O.; Akpa O.; Sarfo F. S.; Akpalu A.; Jenkins C.; Lackland D.
Background-—Little is known about the relationship between echocardiographic abnormalities and outcome among patients with acute stroke. We investigated the pattern and association of baseline echocardiographic variables with 1-month disability and mortality among patients with stroke in the SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Education Network) study. Methods and Results-—We enrolled and followed up consecutive 1020 adult patients with acute stroke with baseline transthoracic echocardiography from west Africa. To explore the relationship between echocardiographic variables and 1-month disability (using modified Rankin scale >3) and fatality, regression models were fitted. Relative risks were computed with 95% CIs. The participants comprised 60% men with a mean age of 59.2_14.6 years. Ischemic stroke was associated with smaller aortic root diameter (30.2 versus 32.5, P=0.018) and septal (16.8 versus 19.1, P<0.001) and posterior wall thickness at systole (18.9 versus 21.5, P=0.004). Over 90% of patients with stroke had abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry with eccentric hypertrophy predominating (56.1%). Of 13 candidate variables investigated, only baseline abnormal LV geometry (concentric hypertrophy) was weakly associated with 1-month disability (unadjusted relative risk, 1.80; 95% CI, 0.97–5.73). Severe LV systolic dysfunction was significantly associated with increased 1-month mortality (unadjusted relative risk, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.36–6.83). Conclusions-—Nine of 10 patients with acute stroke had abnormal LV geometry and a third had systolic dysfunction. Severe LV systolic dysfunction was significantly associated with 1 month mortality. Larger studies are required to establish the independent effect and unravel predictive accuracy of this association
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of West Africans on genetic studies of stroke: Evidence from the SIREN Study
(World Stroke Organization Reprints and permissions, 2018) Akinyemi R. O.; Sarfo F. S.; Akinyemi J.; Singh A.; Akpa M. O.; Akpalu A.; Owolabi L.; Adeoye A. M.; Obiako R.; Wahab K.; Sanya E.; Komolafe M.; Ogbole G.; Fawale M.; Adebayo P.; Osaigbovo G.; Sunmonu T.; Olowoyo P.; Chukwuonye I.; Obiabo Y.; Adeniji O.; Fakunle G.; Melikam E.; Saulson R.; Yaria J.; Uwanruochi K.
Background: It is crucial to assess genomic literacy related to stroke among Africans in preparation for the ethical, legal and societal implications of the genetic revolution which has begun in Africa. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of West Africans about stroke genetic studies. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among stroke patients and stroke-free controls recruited across 15 sites in Ghana and Nigeria. Participants’ knowledge of heritability of stroke, willingness to undergo genetic testing and perception of the potential benefits of stroke genetic research were assessed using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive, frequency distribution and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: Only 49% of 2029 stroke patients and 57% of 2603 stroke-free individuals knew that stroke was a heritable disorder. Among those who knew, 90% were willing to undergo genetic testing. Knowledge of stroke heritability was associated with having at least post-secondary education (OR 1.51, 1.25–1.81) and a family history of stroke (OR 1.20, 1.03–1.39) while Islamic religion (OR¼0.82, CI: 0.72–0.94), being currently unmarried (OR ¼ 0.81, CI: 0.70–0.92), and alcohol use (OR ¼ 0.78, CI: 0.67–0.91) were associated with lower odds of awareness of stroke as a heritable disorder. Willingness to undergo genetic testing for stroke was associated with having a family history of stroke (OR 1.34, 1.03– 1.74) but inversely associated with a medical history of high blood pressure (OR ¼ 0.79, 0.65–0.96). Conclusion: To further improve knowledge of stroke heritability and willingness to embrace genetic testing for stroke, individuals with less formal education, history of high blood pressure and no family history of stroke require targeted interventions
Prevalence and predictors of anxiety in an African sample of recent stroke survivors
(2017) Ojagbemi A.; Owolabi M.; Akinyemi R.; Arulogun O.; Akinyemi J.; Akpa O.; Sarfo F. S.; Uvere E.; Saulson R.; Hurst S.; Ovbiagele B.
Objectives: Studies considering emotional disturbances in the setting of stroke have primarily focused on depression and been conducted in high-income countries. Anxiety in stroke survivors, which may be associated with its own unique sets of risk factors and clinical parameters, has been rarely investigated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We assess the characteristics of anxiety and anxiety-depression comorbidity in a SSA sample of recent stroke survivors. Materials and methods: We assessed baseline data being collected as part of an intervention to improve one-year blood pressure control among recent (≤1 month) stroke survivors in SSA. Anxiety in this patient population was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), while the community screening instrument for dementia was used to evaluate cognitive functioning. Independent associations were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 391 participants, clinically significant anxiety (HADS anxiety score≥11) was found in 77 (19.7%). Anxiety was comorbid with depression in 55 (14.1%). Female stroke survivors were more likely than males to have anxiety (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.5-4.0). Anxiety was significantly associated with the presence of cognitive impairment after adjusting for age, gender and education (OR=6.8, 95% CI=2.6-18.0). Conclusions: One in five recent stroke survivors in SSA has clinically significant anxiety, and well over 70% of those with anxiety also have depression. Future studies will need to determine what specific impact post-stroke anxiety may have on post processes and outcomes.
Prevalence and prognostic features of ECG abnormalities in acute stroke
(Elsevier Ltd, 2017) Adeoye A. M.; Ogah O. S.; Ovbiagele B.; Akinyemi R.; Shidali V.; Agyekum F.; Aje A.; Adebayo O.; Akinyemi J. O.; Kolo P.; Appiah L. T.; Iheonye H.; Kelechukwu U.; Ganiyu A.; Olunuga T. O.; Akpa O.; Olagoke O. O.; Sarfo F. S.; Wahab K.; Olowookere S.; Fakunle A.; Akpalu A.; Adebayo P. B.; Nkromah K.; Yaria J.; Ibinaiye P.
Background: Africa has a growing burden of stroke with associated high morbidity and a 3-year fatality rate of 84%. Cardiac disease contributes to stroke occurrence and outcomes, but the precise relationship of abnormalities as noted on a cheap and widely available test, the electrocardiogram (ECG), and acute stroke out comes have not been previously characterized in Africans. Objectives: The study assessed the prevalence and prognoses of various ECG abnormalities among African acute stroke patients encountered in a multisite, cross-national epidemiologic study. Methods: We included 890 patients from Nigeria and Ghana with acute stroke who had 12-lead ECG recording within first 24 h of admission and stroke classified based on brain computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Stroke severity at baseline was assessed using the Stroke Levity Scale (SLS), whereas 1-month outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Patients’ mean age was 58.4 13.4 years, 490 were men (55%) and 400 were women (45%), 65.5% had ischemic stroke, and 85.4% had at least 1 ECG abnormality. Women were significantly more likely to have atrial fibrillation, or left ventricular hypertrophy with or without strain pattern. Compared to ischemic stroke patients, hemorrhagic stroke patients were less likely to have atrial fibrillation (1.0% vs. 6.7%; p ¼ 0.002), but more likely to have left ventricular hypertrophy (64.4% vs. 51.4%; p ¼ 0.004). Odds of severe disability or death at 1 month were higher with severe stroke (AOR: 2.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.44 to 3.50), or atrial enlargement (AOR: 1.45; 95% confidence interval: 1.04 to 2.02). Conclusions: About 4 in 5 acute stroke patients in this African cohort had evidence of a baseline ECG abnormality, but presence of any atrial enlargement was the only independent ECG predictor of death or disability
Stroke Among Young West Africans Evidence From the SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network) Large Multisite Case–Control Study.
(American Heart Association, Inc., 2019) Sarfo F. S.; Ovbiagele B.; Gebregziabher M.; Wahab K.; Akinyemi R. O.; Akpalu A.; Akpa O.; Obiako R.; Owolabi L.; Jenkins C.; Owolabi M. O.
Background and purpose: Stroke in lower and middle-income countries affects a young and productive age group. Data on factors associated with stroke in the young are sorely lacking from lower and middle-income countries. Our objective is to characterize the nature of stroke and its risk factors among young West Africans aged <50 years old. Methods: The SIREN (Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network) is a multicenter, case-control study involving 15 sites in Nigeria and Ghana. Cases included adults aged ≥18 years with computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed stroke. Controls were age-and gender-matched stroke-free adults recruited from the communities in catchment areas of cases. Comprehensive evaluation for vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors was performed. We used conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and population attributable risks with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Five hundred fifteen (24.3%) out of 2118 cases enrolled were <50 years old. Among subjects <50 years old, hemorrhagic stroke proportion was 270 (52.5%) versus 245 (47.5%) for ischemic strokes. Etiologic subtypes of ischemic strokes included large artery atherosclerosis (40.0%), small vessel disease (28.6%), cardioembolism (11.0%), and undetermined (20.4%). Hypertension (91.7%), structural lesions (3.4%), and others (4.9%) were causally associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Six topmost modifiable factors associated with stroke in descending order of population attributable risk (95% confidence interval) were hypertension: 88.7% (82.5%-94.8%), dyslipidemia: 48.2% (30.6%-65.9%), diabetes mellitus: 22.6% (18.7%-26.5%), low green vegetable consumption: 18.2% (-6.8%-43.2%), stress: 14.5% (4.9%-24.1%), and cardiac disease: 8.4% (5.8%-11.1%). Conclusions: The high and rising burden of stroke among young Africans should be curtailed via aggressive, population-wide vascular risk factor control.