Risk factors of acute ischemic stroke in patients presented to Beni-Suef University Hospital: prevalence and relation to stroke severity at presentation

Abstract

BackgroundAcute ischemic stroke is one of the major causes of disability and death worldwide. Effective prevention remains the best approach for reducing the burden of stroke. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of stroke risk factors and the possible relation between such risk factors and the disease severity at presentation in a sample of stroke patients presented to Beni-Suef University Hospital, north Upper Egypt.MethodsA sample of 167 patients of acute ischemic stroke recruited from Beni-Suef University Hospital was included in this cross-sectional descriptive study. All subjects were subjected to history taking, clinical, laboratory, and radiological evaluation. Stroke severity and disability were evaluated by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) respectively.ResultsHypertension was detected in 104 patients (62.3%), dyslipidemia was detected in 79 patients (58.1%), and 69 patients (41.3%) were smokers. Diabetes mellitus was detected in 58 patients (34.7%) with high prevalence of cardio-embolic risk factor, 36 patients (21.6%) had rheumatic heart, and 44 patients (26.3%) had atrial fibrillation.NIHSS score was significantly higher in hypertensive patients (P value = 0.023) and in patients who had carotid stenosis ≥ 50% (P value = 0.011), whereas there was no significant relation between NIHSS score and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.221), dyslipidemia (P = 0.834), patients with history of cardio-embolic stroke (P = 0.085), previous ischemic stroke (P = 0.316), or sex (P = 0.343).mRS score was significantly higher in patients with age > 45 years old (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.001), cardio-embolic risk factor (P = 0.044), and carotid stenosis ≥ 50% (P = 0.017), whereas there was no significant relation between mRS score and diabetes mellitus, previous ischemic stroke, or sex.ConclusionsThe most common risk factor for stroke was hypertension followed by dyslipidemia and then smoking with higher incidence of rheumatic heart diseases due to lowered living conditions. Age, hypertension, cardio-embolic risk factors, and carotid stenosis ≥ 50% have negative impact on stroke severity and disability.

The relationship between oxidative stress and acute ischemic stroke severity and functional outcome

“…This is in agreement with the results of Mendioroz et al [19] who stated that 59.9% of patients (on admission) showed NIHSS score (16)(17)(18)(19)(20). Also, Mansour et al [20] recorded in a cohort study that their patients NIHSS median value at 24 h was 22 (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) and at 72 h was 20 (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), otherwise Soliman et al [21] reported that 61.7% of their patients show NIHSS moderate score (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)…”

“…The outcome of our patients as regards the disability is quietly similar to the previous studies like that of Mendioroz et al [19] who found that 55.3% of patients displayed a worse prognosis (mRS 2-5) at 3 months follow-up. In addition, Mansour et al [20] reported mortality (19.7%) and unfavorable outcome (mRS 2-5) at 3 months follow-up (56.7%) and Soliman et al [21] found that 56.3% of their patients showed unfavorable functional outcome mRS (2-5).…”

Endovascular and Thrombolytic Therapy and the Functional Status of Patients after Ischemic Stroke

“…The literature review shows that gender is one of the unmodifiable risk factors for stroke -and it is men who more often experience this disease [20][21][22]. The largest group were people aged 71-80, and patients up to 50 years of age covered 4% of all patients; strokes rarely occur in young people [20][21][22]. Age is a constant risk factor for stroke and dementia, with a twofold increase in incidence for each subsequent 5 years after the age of 65 [23].…”

Effects of physical therapy on mental function in patients with stroke

“… 1 Hypertension is the leading cause of cerebral stroke, 2 followed by dyslipidemia. 3 The incidence of non-fatal stroke has been found to be associated with depression and alcohol use. 4 Stroke is considered the leading cause of disability and death.…”