Modifiable Risk Factors of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Prevalence and Relation to Stroke Severity at Presentation

Introduction: Stroke is the leading cause of disability worldwide and the secondleading cause of death. Ischemic stroke accounts for 80% of stroke worldwide.This study aims to determine the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of acuteischemic stroke and its’ potential relation to the severity at presentation in ED. Methods: This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, hospital based prospectivestudy. A stroke registry was developed for the purpose of collecting requiredinformation. Study was conducted on with ischemic stroke during a period ofone year. Types of stroke, demographic characteristics, modifiable risk factors,and severity of stroke on presentation to the ED were documented. Results: Out of 147 cases, the percentage of ischemic stroke, hemorrhagicstroke, and transient ischemic stroke was 54, 26, and 20% respectively. Themean age for stroke was 63±2 years, and was slightly more common in males(57.5%). Hypertension (56%) was the most common modifiable risk factor,followed subsequently by smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes and atrialfibrillation. While 42% of the patients had moderate severity on presentation,other 42% presented with moderately severe to severe stroke. Smoking (p=0.015)and atrial fibrillation (p=0.021) were found to have a statistically significantassociation with the severity of stroke. Conclusion: Stroke is a common entity. Ischemic stroke holds the highestprevalence among the types of stroke. NCDs like hypertension, diabetes, andatrial fibrillation, as well as smoking, and alcohol consumption are frequent riskfactors. Smoking and atrial fibrillation have significant association to severity ofstroke. Adequate control of modifiable risk factors may help in reducing thedisease burden caused by stroke.