Browsing by Author "Akinyemi R. O."

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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.
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
Randomized trial of an intervention to improve blood pressure control in stroke survivors
(American Heart Association, Inc., 2020) Owolabi M. O.; Gebregziabher M.; Akinyemi R. O.; Akinyemi J. O.; Akpa O.; Olaniyan O.; Salako B. L.; Arulogun O.; Tagge R.; Uvere E.; Fakunle A.; Ovbiagele B.
BACKGROUND: We conducted the first-of-its kind randomized stroke trial in Africa to test whether a THRIVES (Tailored Hospital-based Risk reduction to Impede Vascular Events after Stroke) intervention improved blood pressure (BP) control among patients with stroke. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intervention comprised a patient global risk factor control report card, personalized phone text-messaging, and educational video. Four hundred patients recruited from 4 distinct medical facilities in Nigeria, aged ≥18 years with stroke-onset within one-year, were randomized to THRIVES intervention and control group. The control group also received text messages, and both groups received modest financial incentives. The primary outcome was mean change in systolic BP (SBP) at 12 months. There were 36.5% females, 72.3% with ischemic stroke; mean age was 57.2±11.7 years; 93.5% had hypertension and mean SBP was 138.33 (23.64) mmHg. At 12 months, there was no significant difference in SBP reduction from baseline in the THRIVES versus control group (2.32 versus 2.01 mmHg, P=0.82). In an exploratory analysis of subjects with baseline BP >140/90 mmHg (n=168), THRIVES showed a significant mean SBP (diastolic BP) decrease of 11.7 (7.0) mmHg while control group showed a significant mean SBP (diastolic BP) decrease of 11.2 (7.9) mmHg at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: THRIVES intervention did not significantly reduce SBP compared with controls. However, there was similar significant decrease in mean BP in both treatment arms in the subgroup with baseline hypertension. As text-messaging and a modest financial incentive were the common elements between both treatment arms, further research is required to establish whether these measures alone can improve BP control among stroke survivors
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.