Distribution and Demographic Profile of Stroke Patients with Respect to Obesity: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with demographic and lifestyle factors influencing its occurrence and subtype distribution. This hospital-based cross-sectional study aimed to assess the demographic profile and obesity status of stroke patients, alongside other socio-clinical characteristics. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from July 2016 to January 2017. This study included 100 patients over 18 years old, of both genders, who were admitted to the medicine units of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for stroke management and follow-up. Results: The mean age of patients was 58.37 ± 6.23 years, with most participants (54%) aged 41–55 years. Males comprised 64% of the cohort (male-to-female ratio 1.7:1). Urban residents accounted for 58% of cases, and housewives formed the largest occupational group (64%). Ischemic stroke was more common (62%) than hemorrhagic stroke (38%). The most frequent clinical manifestations were hemiplegia (89.47% in hemorrhagic vs. 48.38% in ischemic) and impaired consciousness (100% in hemorrhagic vs. 35.48% in ischemic). The 41–55-year age group had the highest incidence in both stroke types. Ischemic stroke was predominant among low-income patients (61.29%), whereas hemorrhagic stroke was more frequent in the middle-income group (68.42%). In terms of BMI, the normal range (18.5–23.0 kg/m²) was most common in both ischemic (38.7%) and hemorrhagic (50.0%) strokes, though overweight (>25.0 kg/m²) was more prevalent in ischemic cases. Conclusion: Stroke in this population predominantly affected middle-aged adults, with ischemic stroke being more frequent, especially among low-income and overweight individuals. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies focusing on modifiable risk factors, particularly in vulnerable socioeconomic groups.