Frequency of known risk factors for stroke in poor patients admitted to Lahore General Hospital in 2000

Objective: To study the risk factors of stroke in a poor hospital population. Design: Prospective, descriptive hospital based study. Setting: Medical Unit I, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Subjects and methods: All poor adults having treatment arranged by social welfare department through zakat admitted with features of stroke during the period January 2000 to December 2000 were included in the study. Type of stroke was identified by CT scan brain and risk factors for stroke and functional outcome at the time of discharge were noted on a proforma. Results: Out of 100 patients studied, 79% had cerebral infarction and 21% had cerebral hemorrhage. Most of the patients had more than one risk factor which included: hypertension 61%, smoking 53%, sedentary habits 38%, diabetes mellitus 33%, dyslipidaemia 32%, coronary artery disease 22%, obesity 11%, alcoholism 9% and carotid artery stenosis 8%. In-hospital mortality was 7% and most of them (89%) at discharge were dependent for their daily activities. Conclusions: Hypertension, smoking and diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for stroke in this poor population and should be the main targets for primary and secondary prevention of stroke. Availability of free medicines and developing stroke units can go a long way in reducing mortality and improving rehabilitation of such patients.