Analysis of Conventional Risk Factors in Stroke in Young Population (A Tertiary Care Hospital Based Study)

Abstract

Background: The published literature, in INDIA, addressing risk factors and aetiology of stroke in young, is limited at best. Objectives: To assess the aetiology and conventional risk factors for stroke in young population attending a tertiary care hospital and compare risk factors in various age groups and ischemic and haemorrhagic subgroups. Material & Methods: Patients aged 15-49 years attending stroke clinic at tertiary care hospital, were evaluated from January 2012 - June 2013. Diagnosis was based on clinical and imaging features. Detailed risk factor evaluation was done by history, examination, biochemistry, parenchymal imaging to determine stroke subtype. Result: 98 patients of stroke (37 were females and 61 were males) were assessed. Mean age for ischaemic stroke was 32.8 years and for haemorrhagic stroke was 31.4 years. Out of 98 patients of stroke studied, smoking was the most common risk factor (37.75%) followed by systemic hypertension (36.73%) and dyslipidaemia (30.6%). Alcohol abuse and smoking were more common in males as compared to females and the difference was statistically significant. Incidence of diabetes was 13.64% in ischemic subgroup and 9.38% in haemorrhagic subgroup. Univariate regression analysis of all risk factors revealed that smoking, family history of stroke, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia are the potential risk factors among older age groups. Multivariate regression analysis of all risk factors also observed and found that the adjusted odds of family history, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia were statistically significant and concludes that these are more potent risk factors in older age groups.