Organized multi-disciplinary stroke team care improves acute stroke outcomes in resource limited settings; Results of a retrospective study from a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background: Evidence for the impact of organized stroke multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) on outcomes in Africa is sparse.Aim: To compare stroke outcomes, before and after the establishment (September 16, 2016) of a pioneer MDT at a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria.Methods: Using a retrospective, observational study design, the in-patient record of all stroke patients admitted between September 2014 to September 2018 was retrieved and rigorously reviewed. 155 patients seen 2 years before the MDT were compared with 169 stroke patients seen 2 years after the MDT. Stroke severity at admission and functioning at discharge were assessed using the Stroke Levity Scale (SLS) and the modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results: Mean ages (in years) were 60 pre-MDT vs 59.57 post MDT (p = 0.754). There were more males, 51% preMDT vs 54.2% post MDT (p = 0.565). SLS and mRS were not significantly different; severe SLS and mRS preMDT, 52.9% vs post-MDT, 49.4% (p = 0.727) and pre-MDT 19.4% vs post-MDT 19.5% (p = 0.685) respectively. More post-MDT patients were discharged alive, pre-MDT,56.8% vs 79.2% post MDT (p < 0.001); had swallow tests, pre-MDT 9.23% vs post-MDT 33.5% (p < 0.001); on secondary prevention, pre-MDT 67.7% vs post-MDT 78.9% (p = 0.023); had more clinic visits, pre-MDT,0.7% vs post-MDT 38.3% (p < 0.001). MDT was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality on multivariable regression, adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% Confidence interval CI) 0.17 (0.09-0.32).Conclusion: Our results suggest that an organized MDT may improve acute outcomes and reduce mortality in resource constrained settings where there may be no stroke units. These findings need further prospective validation.