Farrukh Iqbal.
Patient profile of 200 cases of stroke: A hospital based study.
Proceeding Shaikh Zayed Postgrad Med Inst Jan ;15(1):11-22.

Stroke or "Brain attack" results either due to sudden occlusion or rupture of a cerebral blood vessel. It is the second most common cause of death world wide. The presentation of stroke may vary from transient ischemic attack (TIA) with full recovery to complete stroke leading to life long disability. Two hundred patients with stroke of both. sexes and age above 18 years of age were studied in regards of mode of presentation, laboratory investigations, associated risk factors and ultimate outcome was evaluated. Males outnumbered females and majority of cases were in the age group of 41 80 years. Other parameters are detailed in the study. Hypertension was the most significant risk factor (p=.018). Left parietal area was more commonly involved than the right (p=.003) and so was the significant involvement of the left middle cerebral artery (p=.002). Overall outcome was poor in patients with more than one risk factors. Majority had medical treatment. The incidence of hemorrhage was 25 30% which is more than western studies due to poor control of hypertension in our community where as cerebral infarction was about 60-70%. Around 3% had subarachnoid hemorrhage. It is therefore concluded that control of risk factors especially the modifiable e.g., hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolaenua call reduce mortality from stroke significantly. It is also suggested to create stroke units with expertise and proper guidelines for management of stroke should be formulated to prevent a great deal of morbidity and mortality from this preventable disease.

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