Clinical study of acute ischemic stroke outcome at tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background: Stroke or cerebrovascular accident is a leading cause of mortality and
morbidity throughout the world including both developed and developing countries.
Identification of potential prognostic factors for ischaemic stroke may enable better
prediction for outcome and conducting early interventions may improve the prognosis.
Present study was aimed to study outcome of patients of acute ischemic stroke at tertiary
care hospital. Material and Methods: Present study was prospective, observational study,
conducted in patients with ischemic stroke, confirmed by CT scan of brain, presenting
within 72 hours of onset of symptom, willing to participate in study. Results: In present
study 126 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included. Most common age group
was 61-70 years (34.13 %) followed by 51-60 years (24.6 %) age group. Male patients
(65.38 %) were more than female patients (34.13%). Male to female ratio was 1.9:1.
Common risk factors observed were stage 1 hypertension (19.84 %), stage 2 hypertension
(SBP>160, DBP>100) (25.4 %), diabetic (36.51 %), smoker (29.37 %), alcoholic (22.22
%), dyslipidemia (20.63 %), history of cardiovascular disease (18.25 %), obesity (15.87
%), family history of stroke (14.29 %) & tobacco chewing (10.32 %). On admission,
according to NIHSS scale severity majority had minor stroke (37.3 %) followed by
moderate stroke (35.71 %), moderate to severe stroke (18.25 %) & severe stroke (8.73
%). Functional outcome was assessed using the modified ranking score (MRS) at 6
months. Majority had MRS score 3 (44.29 %) followed by MRS score 2 (38.06 %), MRS
score 1 (7.96 %). Conclusion: Areas for improvement in management of stroke are public
awareness, lifestyle modification (modifiable risk factors are hypertension, smoking,
dyslipidemia, alcohol consumption, and diabetes mellitus), early diagnosis, treatment &
availability of facilities and expertise.