Abstract

World Health Organization(WHO) defines Stroke as a condition characterised by rapidly developing symptoms and signs of a focal brain lesion, with symptoms lasting for >24 hours or leading to death due to vascular etiology. Stroke is India’s fourth leading cause of death and fifth leading cause of disability. In the present study we aim to study the clinical presentation and outcome of patients admitted with stroke in our hospital. A prospective hospital-based study of 100 consecutive stroke cases admitted to Government General Hospital, Srikakulam during the study period was conducted. The clinical profile and outcome of the patients were assessed. Among the hundred patients in the present study, 60% were males and 40% were females and about one third of the patients (32%) aged above 60 years. Hypertension (61%), Dyslipidemia (34%) and Diabetes mellitus (32%)were the commonly encountered comorbidities. Motor weakness in the form of hemiplegia/hemiparesis (74%) and impaired consciousness (56%) were most frequent presenting symptoms of stroke patients. The mortality rate in the present study was 36%. Older age, male gender, low GCS score at presentation, haemorrhagic stroke with intra ventricular extension of bleed and mass effect with midline shift were associated with the poor outcome of stroke. (p < 0.05). Ischemic stroke (76%) is the most common type of stroke in the present study. About one third of the patients (36%) succumbed to death. It is crucial to manage risk factors and comorbidities adequately to prevent occurrence of stroke.

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