Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
Background: Neurological disorders represent a growing global public health burden, ranking as the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite extensive national and global data, community-level neuroepidemiological evidence remains sparse, limiting equitable resource allocation and targeted intervention. Colquitt County, Georgia, a predominantly rural county with a population of approximately 47,000 and a significant aging demographic, represents an understudied community where the local burden of neurological disorders has not been previously characterised. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, distribution, and clinical burden of neurological disorders using hospital-based data from Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
Methods: A retrospective, secondary data analysis was conducted using de-identified electronic health records from Colquitt Regional Medical Center spanning 2020 to 2024. Two datasets- inpatient (n = 1,201) and outpatient clinic (n = 5,879) - were analysed independently. Diagnoses were classified into four categories: Neurological Disorders, Psychiatric-Mental Disorders, Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Non-Neurological Disorders using ICD-10 coding and clinical expertise. Descriptive statistics characterised the datasets, while unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models examined associations of age, sex, family history, and surgical history with diagnostic categories.
Results: Neurological disorders were the most prevalent category in both the inpatient (52.6%) and clinic (58.5%) settings. Cerebrovascular diseases were substantially more prevalent among inpatients (41.9%) versus clinic patients (16.4%), reflecting acute care patterns. Females constituted a greater proportion of both datasets and demonstrated higher odds of neurological disorders compared to males. Advancing age was significantly associated with increased odds of cerebrovascular and non-neurological disorders. Family history of neurological, cerebrovascular, and psychiatric-mental disorders was significantly associated with corresponding diagnoses in the clinic cohort. Disease comorbidity was high, with 76.5% and 62.3% of inpatients and clinic patients respectively carrying at least two diagnostic burdens.
Conclusions: This is the first community-level neuroepidemiological study in Colquitt County, Georgia. Findings reveal a substantial and multimorbid neurological disease burden, with sex- and age-differentiated patterns and significant familial clustering. The results provide an empirical foundation for health equity advocacy, resource allocation, and targeted neurological care in this underserved rural community.
Embargo Period
10-18-2026
Neuroepidemiology: Using Clinical Data for Characterizing Neurological Disorders and Multidimensional Impacts on Life Qualities in Colquitt County, Georgia
Moultrie, GA
Background: Neurological disorders represent a growing global public health burden, ranking as the leading cause of disability and second leading cause of death worldwide. Despite extensive national and global data, community-level neuroepidemiological evidence remains sparse, limiting equitable resource allocation and targeted intervention. Colquitt County, Georgia, a predominantly rural county with a population of approximately 47,000 and a significant aging demographic, represents an understudied community where the local burden of neurological disorders has not been previously characterised. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, distribution, and clinical burden of neurological disorders using hospital-based data from Colquitt Regional Medical Center.
Methods: A retrospective, secondary data analysis was conducted using de-identified electronic health records from Colquitt Regional Medical Center spanning 2020 to 2024. Two datasets- inpatient (n = 1,201) and outpatient clinic (n = 5,879) - were analysed independently. Diagnoses were classified into four categories: Neurological Disorders, Psychiatric-Mental Disorders, Cerebrovascular Diseases, and Non-Neurological Disorders using ICD-10 coding and clinical expertise. Descriptive statistics characterised the datasets, while unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models examined associations of age, sex, family history, and surgical history with diagnostic categories.
Results: Neurological disorders were the most prevalent category in both the inpatient (52.6%) and clinic (58.5%) settings. Cerebrovascular diseases were substantially more prevalent among inpatients (41.9%) versus clinic patients (16.4%), reflecting acute care patterns. Females constituted a greater proportion of both datasets and demonstrated higher odds of neurological disorders compared to males. Advancing age was significantly associated with increased odds of cerebrovascular and non-neurological disorders. Family history of neurological, cerebrovascular, and psychiatric-mental disorders was significantly associated with corresponding diagnoses in the clinic cohort. Disease comorbidity was high, with 76.5% and 62.3% of inpatients and clinic patients respectively carrying at least two diagnostic burdens.
Conclusions: This is the first community-level neuroepidemiological study in Colquitt County, Georgia. Findings reveal a substantial and multimorbid neurological disease burden, with sex- and age-differentiated patterns and significant familial clustering. The results provide an empirical foundation for health equity advocacy, resource allocation, and targeted neurological care in this underserved rural community.