Young strokes in Sri Lanka: an unsolved problem.
Stroke in young adults is more common in India and Sri Lanka and the reasons for this are not well understood. The current study was conducted to elucidate the risk factors and radiologic features in young people (age < 45 years) with ischemic stroke. Sociodemographic data, stroke risk factor information, and laboratory investigations were recorded in 41 cases with first-ever ischemic stroke. Most common risk factors for stroke in the 15- to 45-year-old age group were: hypertension, 8 (21%); family history of stroke, 7 (18%); transient ischemic attack, 6 (16%); hyperlipidemia, 3 (8.0%); and diabetes, two (5%). Age group younger than 15 years included 3 girls and one had a mass attached to the posterior mitral valve leaflet. Our observations underscore the importance of the presence of hypertension, family history of stroke, and transient ischemic attack in young adults and thus to adopt preventative strategies.
De Silva
Ranil
R
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. ranilds@sltnet.lk
Gamage
Ranjani
R
Wewelwala
Chandika
C
Gunarathna
Dinusha
D
Kittner
Steven
S
Sirisena
Dharshan
D
Weerasinghe
Anura
A
Amarasinghe
Pryani
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult