Risk factors of stroke in Pakistan: a dedicated stroke clinic experience

Fawad Taj; Rehan Zahid; Umm-E-Rubab Syeda; Muhammed Murtaza; Shahzad Ahmed; Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

doi:10.1017/S0317167100010015

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Risk factors of stroke in Pakistan: a dedicated stroke clinic experience

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Risk factors of stroke in Pakistan: a dedicated stroke clinic experience

Fawad Taj, Rehan Zahid, Umm-E-Rubab Syeda, Muhammed Murtaza, Shahzad Ahmed and Ayeesha Kamran Kamal

Canadian journal of neurological sciences, Vol.37(2), pp.252-257

03/01/2010

DOI: 10.1017/S0317167100010015

PMID: 20437938

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https://doi.org/10.1017/S0317167100010015View

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Abstract

Secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disease through dedicated stroke clinics has been shown to decrease recurrent vascular events in patients. However, there is limited literature describing such stroke clinic experiences from low and middle income countries. This study describes patient characteristics and observations made at the first systematized stroke clinic in Pakistan. A retrospective audit of medical records of all patients presenting between September 2006 and August 2008 with a cerebrovascular event was conducted. Information about clinical presentation, modifiable risk factors and laboratory and radiological investigations was collected. Burden of disability was assessed using Modified Rankin score. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 14.0. 159 patients with a mean age of 57.0 +/- 13.9 years were included in this study and 34.6% of all patients were women. 108 patients were diagnosed with ischemic stroke (67.9%) while 34 patients presented with hemorrhagic stroke (21.4%) and 17 patients presented with transient ischemic attacks (10.7%). Hypertension was the most common modifiable risk factor seen in 78.0%, followed by diabetes in 40.3% and dyslipidemia in 31.5%. At presentation to clinic, only 26.0% patients with dyslipidemia and 64.5% patients with hypertension were on appropriate medications. A high prevalence of modifiable risk factors such as hypertension in stroke patients was observed and it presents an opportunity for conventional interventions in Pakistan. Systematized clinics for stroke and an algorithmic approach in primary care towards stroke may improve the implementation of evidence based secondary prevention strategies in developing countries.

Adult

Aged

Aged, 80 and over

Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use

Diabetes Complications - epidemiology

Dyslipidemias - complications

Dyslipidemias - drug therapy

Female

Humans

Hypertension - complications

Hypertension - drug therapy

Hypolipidemic Agents - therapeutic use

Male

Middle Aged

Pakistan - epidemiology

Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - therapeutic use

Retrospective Studies

Risk Factors

Severity of Illness Index

Smoking - physiopathology

Stroke - drug therapy

Stroke - epidemiology

Stroke - etiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Risk factors of stroke in Pakistan: a dedicated stroke clinic experience
Creators: Fawad Taj
Rehan Zahid - Aga Khan University Hospital
Umm-E-Rubab Syeda - Aga Khan University Hospital
Muhammed Murtaza - Aga Khan University Hospital
Shahzad Ahmed - Dow University of Health Sciences
Ayeesha Kamran Kamal
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Canadian journal of neurological sciences, Vol.37(2), pp.252-257
DOI: 10.1017/S0317167100010015
PMID: 20437938
NLM abbreviation: Can J Neurol Sci
ISSN: 0317-1671
eISSN: 2057-0155
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2010
Academic Unit: Surgery
Record Identifier: 9984701550002771

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