Risk Factors and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Ischemic Stroke in Brazil – A Systematic Review

Introduction: Ischemic stroke corresponds to 80% of cases in Brazil, which demonstrates its epidemiological importance in Brazil. The magnitude of this fact reflects the reason why stroke is considered the second leading cause of death in the world, and the leading cause of death in Brazil, in addition to being the second leading cause of cognitive losses. The main causes that promote the occurrence of ischemic stroke determine the conjuncture of risk groups. Such factors can be classified into modifiable, non-modifiable and potential risk group. Objective: The objective of this study was to systematically review the public health literature on the risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics of ischemic stroke in Brazil, by analyzing epidemiological studies conducted in Brazil. Methods: Systematized literature review conducted by searching the US National Library of Medicine (Pub Med), Scientific Electronic Library online (SCIELO), Latin American Caribbean Health Sciences Information System (LILACS), Science Direct and Embase, using the descriptors: “Isquemic stroke”, “risk factors”, “sociodemographic characteristics” and “Brazil”. 852 articles were found, of which 11 were selected to build the review by six reviewers independently. Results: Chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCD), such as stroke and ischemic heart disease, account for 63% or about 36 million of deaths worldwide, with emphasis on diseases of the circulatory system, diabetes, cancer and respiratory disease chronic. In Brazil, NCDs also present themselves as a health problem, corresponding to 54.0% of all deaths, in the year 2016. In the age group of 30-69 years, NCDs represented 56.1% of deaths. Conclusion: It is known today that stroke is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among patients, being the majority in the elderly. It is associated with CNCDs, among which we mention hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. Such a disease is more common in men, blacks and those with low schooling, but in women it is more lethal, according to pre-existing data. Thus, new methodologies and analyzes need to be developed on the effects of the multiplicity of chronic diseases, which affect the elderly more intensely.