A study on stroke victims in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai

Abstract

Objectives: Stroke is a devastating and disabling cerebrovascular disease with some amount of residual deficit leading onto economic loss. Recent Indian studies have shown a stroke prevalence rate of 471.58 / 1,00,000 population. This study was undertaken to analyse the clinical profile and to arrive at important facts contributing to stroke in both the sexes.

Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study carried out on acute stroke patients, admitted to the I.I.M., RGGGH, Chennai. 150 patients were studied over a period of 3 months in the year 2011.

Results: 58% males and 42% females constituted our study population. Among males 18.4% and among females 22.2% were young stroke patients. Only 33.3% of patients were brought to the hospital within 6 hours. 90% patients had mild GCS score(> or =13/15) and presented with hemiplegia. 76% and 18% had infarct and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) respectively.

Risk factors: Type A personality (70.7%), Tobacco (60.7%) and Alcohol (44.7%) abuse, Systemic Hypertension (60.7%), Diabetes Mellitus (33.3%), Cardiac disorders (14%).

Conclusion: Significant proportion of Cerebrovascular accidents(CVA) was seen in the young females. Type A personality was seen in large number of study subjects. Personal habits in males and chronic comorbid illness in females had a strong association with occurrence of stroke. A holistic approach encompassing public awareness, behavioural modification and comorbid medical illness management is the need of the hour.