A Study on Risk Factors Associated with Stroke

Abstract

Introduction: The majority (about 75%) of cases of stroke occur in people over the age of 65 years and about one-third of patients die of stroke within a year of onset. Over half of survivors remain dependent on others for everyday activities, often with significant adverse effects on caregivers. Medical complications after acute stroke may adversely impact outcome and in some cases may be preventable. Limited data exist regarding the frequency of such complications occurring in the first days after the ictus and the relationship of these complications to outcome. Methodology: All selected patients were studied for post stroke pulmonary complications mainly pneumonia, mechanical ventilation, respiratory depression, it sincidence, age, gender distribution and its association with the site of lesion (i.e Anterior vs Posterior),type of lesion(infarct vs bleed), Severity of the stroke if measured by NIHSS scoring system. Results: Among smokers 9 out of 29 patients have developed pneumonia that is 47%. But this finding did not show statistical significance. Among 24 Alcholics 13 patients developed pneumonia with 54% association. but no statistical significance. Diabetic and hypertensives, did not show any significant association with pneumonia and statistical significance. Conclusion: With other risk factors, there was more incidence of developing pneumonia. but there was no statistical significance and so these are no independent risk factors for pneumonia.