European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background and purpose: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability
worldwide. It imposes a major physical mental and financial burden over the patient,
family and the country. Despite increasing burden of stroke in developing countries,
population-based data are scarce. An event of stroke can be caused by a number of risk
factors, some of which are nonmodifiable and some are modifiable. Hypertension,
diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, hyperlipidemia and smoking belong to the modifiable
group and their prevalence shows diversity worldwide The aim of the study was to find
out the prevalence of different risk factors of strokes.
Methods: This observational study was carried out on 215 patients of stroke admitted
in different medicine units of ANMMCH GAYA. Only patients having diagnosis of
stroke, confirmed by CT scan or MRI, were recruited. Patients were grouped into
ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage, bleeding into
an intracerebral space occupying lesion or intracerebral hematoma due to head injury
were excluded from the study. Proper history was taken regarding presence of various
risk factors and measures taken to control or prevent them. Enquiry about proper drug
compliance was also done.
Results: A total of 215 patients were included in the study. 143 were males and 72 were
females. Mean age was 62.7 years. 135 patients were of ischemic stroke (87 males and 48
females) and 80 patients were of hemorrhagic stroke (56 males and 24 females). 70.7%
patients were hypertensives and 48.8% were diabetics. 36.7% had CAD and 36.2% was
current or ex smokers. 56.7% patients were either overweight or obese. 102 patients
had 2 risk factors, 33 had 3 and 10 patients had 4 risk factors. 13 patients had no
identifiable risk factors.