The distribution and pattern of neurological disease in a neurology clinic in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Background: Neurological disorders are common and contribute significantly to disease burden, disability-adjusted life years and death. Objective: To assess the distribution of neurological disease in patients presenting to our hospital. Methods: The records of the Adult Neurology Clinic in Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria were reviewed retrospectively for the years 2003-2005 and 2010-2014, and diagnoses as made by the Consultant were obtained and analyzed. Results: The total number of complaints was 1,524 and 86.4% of these were neurological in nature. Episodic and paroxysmal disorders (ICD-10) accounted for 54.1% of the diagnoses, and epilepsy and stroke were the most common of these. Of the 1,226 patients seen during the period, 91.4% had neurological disorders. The peak occurrence of these disorders was within the first three decades of life. Conclusion: Epilepsy and stroke are the commonest neurological disorders in the outpatient setting and there should be more studies in the community on their prevalence and impact.