Etiology and Risk Factors of Ischemic Stroke in Elderly versus Younger Patients

Background: Identification of risk factors and causes of stroke is the key to optimizing treatment and preventing recurrence. Our aim is identifying risk factors and possible causes of ischemic stroke in young and old patients. A single-center prospective cohort study conducted in Qena University Hospital, Egypt. enrolled 1000 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke from January 2022 to December 2023. Patients were divided into young (18- < 50 years) and old (≥ 50 years) groups. Clinical, imaging and laboratory data were compared to identify risk factors in each group.Results: 146 (14.6%) were under 50 years, while 854 (85.4%) were over 50. The mean age is 63.4 ± 12.7 years; 495 (49.5%) are males. Smoking, hypertension and diabetes more predominant in the old group 411 (48.1 %) (p-value < .016); 657 (76.9 %) (p-value < 0.001); 413 (48.3 %) (p-value < 0.001) respectively. Large vessel atherosclerosis and small vessel occlusion are more predominant in the old group (p-value < 0.001). However, cardio embolism is more predominant in the young population (p-value < 0.001). Conclusions:Our study verified frequencies of embolic sources as potential etiology for ischemic stroke, particularly in young population. Early screening and recognition of cardio-embolic sources in young populations could help in stroke prevention.