STROKE: FREQUENCY OF RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS ADMITTED AT LIAQUAT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HYDERABAD/JAMSHORO

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of various risk factors for stroke and its sub-types among males and females. DESIGN: Cross sectional /Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted at the Medical Department of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad/Jamshoro from January 2006 to March 2007. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with features of stroke confirmed by CT scan brain were enrolled. Brain imaging showing abnormality e.g. brain tumour, meningitis, multiple sclerosis and metabolic derangements that could explain focal neurologic deficit were the exclusion parameters. The frequency of various risk factors for stroke and its types among males and females were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of total 100 patients, 78(78%) presented with infarction stroke and 22(22%) with hemorrhagic stroke. Their mean age at presentation was 56.89 with SD=8.92 years. Hypertension 35(59.3%) and smoking 18(94.7%) were the most important risk factors among males, while the presence of diabetes mellitus 16(55.2%) and IHD 10(62.5%) were found to be more common among females. Forty-two (42%) and 11(11%) males, while 36(36.3%) and 11(11%) females suffering from cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage respectively. In-hospital mortality was 09(09%). CONCLUSION: Frequency of various risk factors was high in this study which is similar to that observed in developed countries. Hypertension and smoking were the major risk factors for males, while diabetes mellitus and IHD were more common in females. We did not find any significant gender difference between the two stroke types. CATEGORY: Internal Medicine