COMPARISON OF CLINICAL MANIFESTATION AND RISK FACTORS OF STROKE AMONG DIABETIC VS NON-DIABETIC PATIENTS

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor that may influence both the presentation and progression of stroke. Understanding the differences in clinical manifestations and risk factors between diabetic and non-diabetic stroke patients is essential for tailored prevention and management strategies. Objective: To compare the clinical manifestations and associated risk factors of stroke among diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted at the department of Medicine, Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital Swat, Pakistan]. Duration of Study: August 2024 to January 2025. Methods: The study included 80 patients aged 40 years and above who were diagnosed with stroke, confirmed by clinical examination and neuroimaging. Patients were categorized into two equal groups: diabetics (n = 40) and non-diabetics (n = 40). Data were collected on demographics, risk factors (hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, atrial fibrillation, and previous stroke history), and clinical manifestations (motor deficits, aphasia, dysarthria, and altered sensorium). Statistical analysis was conducted using Chi-square tests and independent t-tests, with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of diabetic patients was 50.65 ± 7.49 years, while that of non-diabetics was 52.20 ± 6.09 years. Motor deficits were observed in 80% of diabetics and 75% of non-diabetics (p > 0.05). Dysarthria occurred in 55% vs 45% (p > 0.05), aphasia in 22.5% vs 25% (p > 0.05), and altered sensorium in 45% vs 32.5% (p > 0.05), respectively. Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in diabetics (62.5%) compared to non-diabetics (30%) (p = 0.004). Dyslipidemia was more common in diabetics (60%) than in non-diabetics (42.5%) (p > 0.05). Atrial fibrillation and previous stroke history did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion: While clinical manifestations of stroke were similar between diabetic and non-diabetic patients, hypertension was significantly more prevalent in the diabetic group. These findings highlight the importance of strict blood pressure control in diabetic patients to prevent stroke-related complications.