The presence and influence of some risk factors on stroke and occurrence of speech and language disorders

Abstract

The presence of risk factors (RF) significantly affects the occurrence and consequences of stroke. Aim: To determine the presence of certain risk factors, especially smoking, and the occurrence of speech and language disorders (SLD) in patients with stroke (S). Methodology: We analyzed the data of 290 patients affected by stroke: age, gender, present RF, especially smoking, type of stroke and the presence of SLD from the medical history. Results: The average age of the patients was 69.23. 35.51% of patients were 65 and younger. Male gender prevailed in the sample (56.2%:43.8%). The average time since stroke onset was 33.95 days. 92.80% of the sample had some of the RF. There were 45.17% of patients with two or more RF. There were 40.34% patients with SLD and 59.66% had not registered SLD. Most patients had ischemic stroke (80.30%). 40.77% of patients in this group had SLD. 11.0% were with hemorrhagic stroke. 31.25% of patients in this group had SLD. The combination of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke had 3.40% of the sample and in this group SLD was present in 60.00%. 1% of the sample had SAH. There were 26.20% smokers, both temporary and ex-smokers. The average age of smokers was 63.78, and of non-smokers 71.35. In the group of smokers 46.34% patients had SLD, whereas in the group of non-smokers 38.01% patients had SLD. Conclusion: The largest part of the sample had a presence of some RF, most often a combination of two or more factors. Smoking had significantly influenced the earlier occurrence of stroke. There is a higher percentage of SLD smoker patients in comparison with non-smokers.