Characterization of hospitalized ischemic stroke patients in palestine

Stroke is a major health problem, yet no studies on stroke have been reported from Palestine. This one-year, hospital-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of risk factors and the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with ischemic stroke.

All patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital and diagnosed with ischemic stroke between September 2006 and August 2007 were included in the study. Data were obtained by retrospective review of medical charts. Pearson Chi-square and independent t test were used in the univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality rates among the patients. Statistical testing and graphics were carried out using SPSS 15.

We identified 153 ischemic stroke patients (83 females and 70 males) of whom 92 were having a first-ever stroke (FES). Patients had several prevalent modifiable risk factors such as hypertension (HTN) (66%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (45.8%), and renal reduced renal function (crcl < 60 ml/ min) (33.9%). Twenty-six (17%) of the patients died during hospitalization. Four variables were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality: history of previous stroke (P= 0.004), crcl at admission (P = 0.004), number of post-stroke complications (P = 0.001), and age (P = 0.043). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of post-stroke complications (P= 0.001) and previous stroke (P = 0.03) were significant independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.

Screening and better control of risk factors, especially HTN, DM and renal dysfunction, are required to decrease the incidence and in-hospital mortality among patients with ischemic stroke.