A study of pattern, risk factors, types, complications and outcome of stroke in geriatric age group

Abstract

Background: Stroke is the number one cause of disability and third leading cause of death in the world after heart diseases and cancer with an incidence approximately 150 to 200 in 100,000. The objective of this study was to study how the pattern of stroke in elderly differs from that of younger population.Methods: This is a prospective observational comparative study of stroke patients done over a period of one year at ACPM Medical College, Dhule. We studied 100 consecutive patients of stroke admitted in neuro-medicine department of this hospital. We have studied the risk factors, incidence, pattern, severity, complication and outcome of stroke in Geriatric age group compared to stroke in younger age group. The individuals who were 60 and above (≥60) are included in the ‘geriatric group’ and those below 60 were considered as ‘younger patients’. Those more than 85 years were classified as ‘very elderly’.Results: There is an increased incidence of both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in geriatric population compared to younger people. Statistically there is increased incidence of ischemic stroke compared to hemorrhagic stroke in geriatric age group. PAC subtype of stroke has highest predilection to develop in both age groups and also PAC is the most common subtype of stroke leading to stroke related complications in geriatric population. There is no statistically increase incidence of severe stroke seen in elder age as compared to the younger people.Conclusions: The geriatric population does not have a poorer stroke outcome as compared to younger people. There is also no statistically significant difference in mortality rate in stroke patients between geriatric vs. younger age group.