title: The spectrum of neurological disorders presenting at a neurology clinic in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The burden of these neurological diseases is higher in developing countries. However, there is a paucity and scarcity of literature on neurological diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the pattern of neurological diseases in this setting and then, compare to those elsewhere in the African continent and also serve as a baseline for planning and care for neurological disorders in Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the Clinique Bastos, in Yaoundé, city capital of Cameroon, centre region. Over a period of six years, all medical records were reviewed by a neurologist and neurological diagnoses classified according to ICD-10.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 4526 admissions 912 patients (20.15%) were given a neurological diagnosis. The most frequent neurological disorders were headache (31.9%), epilepsy (9.86%), intervertebral disc disorder (7.67%), followed by lumbar and cervical arthrosis, polyneuropathy, stroke, Parkinson disease and dementia. According to ICD-10 classification, Episodic and paroxysmal disorders (headaches, epilepsy, cerebrovascular, sleep disorders) were observed on 424 (46.48%) patients; followed by nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders in 115 (12.6%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The above data emphasizes that neurological disease contributes substantially to morbidity in an urban African hospital. Headaches, epilepsy and intervertebral disc disorders are major causes of morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Douala Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Callixte Kuate
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Tegueu
authors.forename: Séraphin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nguefack
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doumbe
authors.forename: Yannick Fogoum
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Fogang
authors.forename: Paul Chimi
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Mbonda
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mbonda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002163:Cameroon; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Cameroon; classification; epidemiology; hospital prevalence; neurological disorders; resource poor setting; urban Africa