title: Young strokes in Sri Lanka: an unsolved problem.
abstract: 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.
authors: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. ranilds@sltnet.lk
authors: Ranil
authors: R
authors: De Silva
authors: Ranjani
authors: R
authors: Gamage
authors: Chandika
authors: C
authors: Wewelwala
authors: Dinusha
authors: D
authors: Gunarathna
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Kittner
authors: Dharshan
authors: D
authors: Sirisena
authors: Anura
authors: A
authors: Weerasinghe
authors: Pryani
authors: P
authors: Amarasinghe
mesh_terms: 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