A study on risk profile in acute ischemic stroke patients at Urban Medical College, Tamil Nadu

Background: Risk factor modification remains as the principal aspect of care for stroke prevention. Understanding of risk factors has advanced and several options are now available to treat modifiable risk factors. Prevention of stroke begins with awareness of risk factors by patients and clinicians. Aim: The aim of our study was to study the association of various risk factors for acute ischemic stroke. Materials and methods: A total of 50 patients who presented with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled into the study after confirmation by CT scan. A detailed history regarding age, smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and ischemic heart disease were taken. Blood sugar, lipid profile and CRP estimation were done.50 normal persons without any evidence of stroke were taken as control subjects. The prevalence of risk factors in patients with ischemic stroke was studied and compared with control subjects. Results: Mean age of stroke patient was 60.62 years and control was 58.22 years. Smokers and alcoholic were 32% (case -21%, control 11%) and 36% (case -26%, control 10%) respectively. Diabetes, hypertension and IHD patients constituted 27% (case -20%, control 7%),37% (case -30%, control 7%) and 20% (case -13%, control 7%) respectively. High CRP level was found in 47% (case -35%, control 12%) of patients. Dyslipidemia was found in 44% (case -38%, control 6%) of patients. Conclusion: In our study smoking, alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, IHD, dyslipidemia and high CRP levels correlated well with ischemic stroke. Age and sex were not correlated with ischemic stroke.