Pattern and risk factors of stroke in the young among stroke patients admitted in medical college hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
BACKGROUND
Stroke in the young is particularly tragic because of its potential to create a long-term burden on the victims, their families, and the community. There had been relatively few studies on young stroke in Kerala's socio-economic setup, that too encapsulating the mentioned apparently relevant dimensions of stroke in the young.


OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence, patterns and risk factors of young stroke.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study with case control comparison at Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Total 100 stroke patients were identified over a period of 2 months, and data were collected on the basis of questionnaire developed for the purpose.


RESULTS
Of 100 stroke patients, 15 had stroke in the young, among which 9 (60%) had ishaemic stroke. Hypertension was the most common risk factor. Smoking, alcohol, atrial fibrillation, and hyperlipidemia were found to be more common in cases (young stroke) when compared with controls. Alcohol use and atrial fibrillation were significantly higher among young stroke patients. Physical inactivity was significantly lesser in those with stroke in the young than elderly. Atrial fibrillation emerged as an independent risk factor of stroke in the young with adjusted odds ratio of 6.18 (1.31-29.21).


CONCLUSIONS
In all, 15% of total stroke occurred in young adults <50 years. The proportion of hemorrhagic stroke in young adults is higher than in elderly. Atrial fibrillation is identified as an independent risk factor of stroke in the young. Compared with stroke in elderly alcohol use, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and cardiac diseases, which are known risk factors, are higher in young stroke.
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Praveen Prasannakumar
PP
Subha
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Sabarinadh Muraleedharan
SM
Pillai Geethakumari
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Mohan
M
Athira
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Zinia Thajudeen
ZT
Nujum
Atrial fibrillation; Thiruvananthapuram; young stroke