CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENTS: CAUSE OF MOVEMENT DISORDERS IN PATIENTS

Objective: To determine number of patients suffering movements disorders after recovery from a cerebrovascular accident in Pakistan. Methodology: It is a cross sectional study, conducted at teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan from august 2015 to March 2016. Study sample was 387 stroke patients belonging to age more than 18 years. The inclusion criteria were age more than 18 years, stroke for the first time in life, at least 3 months prior to enrollment, either hemorrhagic or ischemic. Data collection was done on a questionnaire after taking informed written consent from all participants. SPSS 20 version was made in use to analyse data. Results: Male to female ratio was 51.6% to 48.4%, respectively. Age stratification was 33% individuals from 46 to 55 years. 25% individuals developed stroke after stress19% individuals had spasticity while other stress disorders were noticed in 6% individuals. Out of these, 16 had hemi-dystonia, 10 had impaired coordination, 3 had distal dystonia. Frequency was higher in individuals with stroke for more than a year or two. 37 had dyslexia, 27 developed spastic dystonia, 10 had other types of dystonia. Conclusion: In comparison to results obtained from previous investigations, the movement disorders rate amongst patients of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) was low. The disorder might appear shortly after CVA or might take time to appear. Spastic dystonia was most common, remaining were less frequent. The time usually taken in appearance was 1 to 2 years after CVA. Keywords: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), dystonia, stroke, movement disorders.