A Four-Year Observational Study regarding the Characteristics and Causes of the Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults: one center study report

Abstract

Introduction. Stroke is the second cause of mortality worldwide, after the ischemic coronary disease, and the first cause of long term-disability. Recent studies report that ischemic stroke (IS) in young patients is increasing in incidence, even though the overall stroke hospitalization rate is decreasing. Stroke in the young, working individuals significantly affects the quality of life (QoL) and also determines an important, negative economic impact by reducing the workforce. Material and method. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a 4-year observational, retrospective study on all patients between 18-49 years, who suffered from acute IS and were admitted and investigated in the Neurology Clinic of Sibiu and the CVASIC Research Center. Clinical evaluations, imaging investigations, and risk factor evaluations were performed on all patients in order to elucidate the etiology and organize according to the TOAST classification. Results and discussions. 114 patients with ischemic stroke were included in the study. 76% of the subjects fall into the 40-49 age class. In respect to the TOAST classification, most cases of IS were of UE (rural<urban), while the fewest cases of IS were represented by SAA in both populations. The most frequent vascular risk factors were hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and thrombophilia. Confirmed cervical arteries dissection caused 2/3 of the severe carotid stenosis and 45,5% of the carotid occlusions. Conclusions. Hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking are the main risk factors for stroke in young patients. The most common TOAST stroke subtype was stroke of undetermined etiology, followed by stroke of other determined etiology (carotid artery dissection and thrombophilia). Keywords: ischemic stroke, young patients, vascular risk factors, TOAST classification, disability,