RISK FACTORS STRATIFICATION IN 100 PATIENTS OF ACUTE STROKE

Objective; To find out the relative frequencies of various risk factors associated with first ever stroke.Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in medical B unit of the Department of Medicine, Post Graduate Medical Institute, Government Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from March 2001 to January 2002. A total number of 100 patients, 64 males aiftfcl 36 females, with first ever stroke were included in the study. A questionnaire was designed comprising detailed history, general physical and neurological examinations. The association of different risk factors with stroke was studied.Results: The ages of patients ranged from 17 to 100 years with mean age of 59 years ±11.63 years standard deviation (SD). Cerebral infarction constituted 68%, intracerebral hemorrhage 31% and subarachnoid hemorrhage 01%. Hypertension (HTN) was the most common risk factor (60%) followed by diabetes mellitus (DM) (28%), hyperlipidemia (28%), smoking (22%), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (18%), atrial fibrillation (12%) and history of oral contraceptive use (10%),Conclusion: Main risk factors for stroke are Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, Hyperlipidemia and Smoking. Stroke can be prevented by modification of these risk factors. There is a genuine need for health education programmes on stroke and their mortality.