Characteristics and outcome of tetanus in adolescent and adult patients admitted to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between 2000 and 2009.
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Date
2012-12-15
Authors
Bankole, I.A.
Danesi, M.A.
Ojo, O.O.
Okubadejo, N.U.
Ojini, F.I.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
This study was a case record review of adult patients with tetanus admitted into Lagos University Teaching Hospital between 2000 and 2009. Of 78,009 adults admitted, 190 had tetanus, constituting 0.25% of admission. Mean age was 30.4 ± 13.8 years. Male to female ratio was 3:1. The commonest occupation was commercial motorcyclists. 96% of the patients were unimmunized and 4% that had partial immunization had localized tetanus. Commonest presentation was trismus (83%). Twenty three patients had complications, 30% had autonomic dysfunction. Mean incubation period was 11.4 ± 4.8 days, and mean duration of onset was 72 ± 45.6h. 31 patients died, case fatality rate was 16.3%. Twelve percent of those with long period of onset died while 43% with short period of onset died (P=0.002). Patients with complications (78%) died of tetanus while only 8% of those without complication died (P<0.0001). Case fatality rate is still unacceptably high for a vaccine preventable disease. Attention to primary prevention of people at risk and active surveillance to prevent complications will further reduce mortality.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Tetanus , Mortality , Nigeria , Adults , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE
Citation
Bankole IA, Danesi MA, Ojo OO, Okubadejo NU, Ojini FI. Characteristics and outcome of tetanus in adolescent and adult patients admitted to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital between 2000 and 2009. J Neurol Sci. 2012 Dec 15;323(1-2):201-4.