title: Gender differences in presenting signs and symptoms of acute ischemic stroke: a population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are few population-based data regarding gender differences in signs and symptoms of acute ischemic stroke, and previously reported data have been inconsistent and conflicting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to address the gender differences of the presenting signs and symptoms of acute ischemic stroke in a population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with first ischemic stroke occurring between 1985 and 1989 were identified; subjects were residents of Rochester, Minnesota. Signs and symptoms were collected via review of comprehensive medical records. Differences were identified using the Pearson χ(2) test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 449 cases of first ischemic stroke were identified; 268 (60%) were women. Symptoms at ischemic stroke presentation differed between men and women. Women more commonly presented with generalized weakness (P = 0.005) and mental status change (P = 0.0001). Men more commonly presented with paresthesia (P = 0.003), ataxia (P = 0.006), and double vision (P = 0.005). Signs at ischemic stroke presentation differed between men and women. Men more commonly presented with nystagmus (P = 0.002) on examination. Significant trends were that women more commonly presented with fatigue (P = 0.02), disorientation (P = 0.04), and fever (P = 0.02), whereas men more commonly presented with sensory abnormalities (P = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There were gender differences in signs and symptoms at presentation of ischemic stroke in these study patients. In addition to selected focal symptoms, women more commonly presented with diffuse symptoms of generalized weakness, fatigue, disorientation, and mental status change.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. njerath@post.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Nivedita U
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Jerath
authors.forename: Chandan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: W David
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Freeman
authors.forename: Aarti U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Jerath
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D001259:Ataxia / Q000209:etiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology; D004172:Diplopia / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis