Magnitude of Intracranial calcifications, their association with body mass index and Anatomical sites involved among adults in two tertiary level hospitals in SNNPR Ethiopia: 2022 (Cross Sectional study).

Abstract

Background: Intracranial calcification is specifically calcium or calcium compounds deposition within cranial cavity in a brain tissue and or associated structures. Calcification is mineral deposition of any of body tissues notably soft tissue rendering it hard and solid. Unless physiological calcifications which not known to bring health related problem, pathological intracranial calcifications are tremendously notorious cause cognitive, motor, memory, autonomic as well as sensory system diseases and disabilities in affected patients. Objective : The objective of this study was to assess association between intracranial calcifications and their prevalence in two tertiary level health care institutions in SNNPR, Ethiopia. Adult patients who attend these facilities to get CT scan of head. Methods and Materials: The study conducted in two tertiary level healthcare institutions in Wolaita zone, SNNPR of Ethiopia, namely Wolayta Sodo Christian General Hospital and Wolayta Sodo University Teaching and Referral Comprehensive Hospital, which are currently making active use of CT scan for diagnosis of various causes. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit the predetermined sample size of n = 403. Before the selection of study participants, proportion to size allocations of the sample size for the number of adults undergone CT scan of head in each health institution was performed. Structured questionnaire was prescribed by trained data collectors to get data, and Subsequent measurements of height and weight of patients obtained. Data was entered into Epi data software version 4.4.2.1 and then exported to SPSS version 25 statistical package for analysis. The results are summarized in the form of proportions and frequency tables for categorical variables. Correlation coefficient and odds ratio calculated statistically. Continuous variables Summarized using means, median, and standard deviation. P-values computed for categorical variables using Chi-square (χ2) test and p value of P<0.05 was taken as a statically significant. Results: The overall magnitude of intracranial calcification was 28.3%. Older age (AOR=3.260, 95% CI; 1.671-6.361), Hypertension (AOR=2.353, 95%CI; 1.130-4.901), Kidney disease (CKD) (AOR=2.611, 95%CI; 1.260-5.410), Diabetes Mellitus (AOR=2.523, 95%CI; 1.170-5.442), Stroke (AOR=3.247, 95%CI; 1.053-10.015), and BMI of patient [≥25.0kg/m2] (AOR=3.247, 95%CI; 1.004 11.202) were significantly associated factors with the ICC formation in brain. Conclusion and recommendation: This study, found that a magnitude of intracranial calcifications was 28.3% among adults whom underwent CT scan imaging diagnosis of head in WSCGH and WSUTRH for various reasons. Factors that contribute to intracranial calcifications were older age, hypertension, Kidney disease (CKD), Diabetes mellitus, Stroke, hemiplegia or paraplegia and higher Body mass index level (BMI).