A Study on Stroke in Young and Elderly in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai

Stroke is a devastating and disabling cerebrovascular disease with some amount of residual deficit leading onto economic loss. Recent Indian studies have shown a stroke prevalence rate of 471.58/100,000 population. This study was undertaken to analyse the clinical profile and to arrive at important factors contributing to stroke in 45 years group. This is a descriptive, retrospective cross—sectional study carried out on acute CVA patients, admitted to the I.I.M., RGGGH, Chennai. 150 patients were studied over a period of 3 months in the 2011. 20% of /= 45 years constituted our study population. 18.4% and 22.2% of males and females respectively were young stroke patients. Only 33.3% of patients were brought to the hospital within 6 hours. 90% patients had mild GCS score (>/=13/15) and presented with hemiplegia 76% and 18% had infarct and intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH) respectively. Risk factors: Type A personality (70.7%), Tobacco (60.7%) and Alcohol (44.7%) abuse, Systemic Hypertension (60.7%), Diabetes Mellitus (33.3%), Cardiac disorders (14%). Stroke was seen to be more common in >45 years but still young stroke carries paramount importance due to loss of productive years in these patients. Female predominance was seen in young stroke, with particular reference to puerperal period. Among the comorbid illness systemic hypertension followed by cardiac disorders had important contributing role in young strokes. Most of the patients with infarct and ICH were tobacco and alcohol abusers respectively. A holistic approach encompassing further research in factors involved in young stroke, public awareness, behavioural modification and comorbid medical illness management is the need for the hour.