ISCHEMIC STROKE;

Abstract

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke frequently test positive forhyperglycemia, which is associated with a poor clinical outcome. This association between poorglycemic control and an unfavorable prognosis is particularly evident in patients with persistenthyperglycemia, patients without a known history of diabetes mellitus (DM), and patients withcortical infarction. Objective: To determine the frequency of raised hemoglobin A1c in patientspresenting with ischemic stroke. Material & Methods: Study design: Retrospective study.Setting: Department of Medicine, Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Duration:6 months. Data collection procedure: Reports of 150 patients fulfilling selection criteriawere selected from medical record section of Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad.Demographic details were obtained. Then medical record of patients was assessed for presenceof HbA1c. If HbA1c of patients was reported ≥ 6.5%, then raised HbA1c was labeled. Results:In this study raised HbA1C level in patients presenting with ischemic stroke was 25%. Amongthese patients the most affected age group of patients was 41-60 years. Female patients weremore effected than male patients. Among these patients only 27% were diabetic while 73%were non-diabetic, 54% were smokers, 32% patients were hypertensive and in 14% patientshyperlipidemia was seen. All these factors were not significantly associated with raised HbA1clevel in patients presenting with ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstratea high frequency of raised HbA1c level in patients presenting with ischemic stroke. i.e. 25%. Sokeeping in mind these findings it is recommended that stroke patients should also be screenedfor hyperglycemia or increased HbA1c so that patients can be prevented from development ofpermanent hyperglycemia or other complications associated with it.