title: Trend in incidence of cardiovascular risk factors in elderly and over-aged stroke patients between 2003 and 2007 in Greece.
abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the main cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) in patients over 65 years with ischemic stroke. This is a retrospective study in 175 patients that were hospitalized in our department due to ischemic stroke in the period 2006-2007. The patients were divided in two groups: Group I--elderly (65-80 years) and Group II--over-aged (>or=81 years). The results were compared with a similar study performed in our department in the period 2002-2003 in 160 ischemic stroke patients. Statistical analysis was made by the chi2-test. Hypertension, either alone or in combination with other CRFs, constitutes the main CRF. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is not frequently the sole CRF but its coexistence with other CRFs ranks DM as the second most important CRF, with the largest percentage in the elderly. Dyslipipidemia is 4th CRF in order following the coronary heart disease (CHD). Taking into account that the provision of acute therapeutic intervention in elderly and over-aged ischemic stroke patients is in most cases difficult, because of their age and the high risk of thrombolysis in these patients, there is increased need to focus on primary prevention of ischemic stroke by treating associated CRF.
authors.affiliation: 1st Propedeutic Medical Department, Aristotle University, AHEPA Hospital, S. Kiriakidi 1, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kotsaftis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ntaios
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Savopoulos
authors.forename: Reveka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiparoglou
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Agapakis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baltatzi
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tsesmeli
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatzitolios
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control