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Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model of Stroke
Published on: August 11, 2023
Sex differentiation and risk factor evaluation in stroke patients
M Bhattacharjee1, S Ahmed, K M Rahman
1Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ
|August 2, 2011
Summary
Stroke impacts males more frequently overall, but older females experience more severe outcomes and higher mortality. Risk factors like hypertension and diabetes are equally prevalent across sexes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally.
- Understanding sex-based differences in stroke incidence, risk factors, and outcomes is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential influencing factors on stroke occurrence and outcomes in males versus females.
- To identify sex-specific differences in stroke prevalence, clinical presentation, and mortality.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 177 stroke patients admitted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.
- Patient selection based on the World Health Organization (WHO) stroke definition, with confirmation via CT or MRI.
- Data collected on demographics, risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, dyslipidemia), smoking history, stroke type, clinical presentation, severity scores (Scandinavian Stroke Scale), functional outcomes (Modified Rankin Scale), and mortality.
Main Results:
- Stroke was more common in males (58.19%) than females (41.8%), with no significant age difference at onset, though females were more affected after 70 years.
- Common risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia were equally prevalent in both sexes.
- Males showed higher rates of smoking and previous stroke. Motor weakness was more prevalent in males, while unconsciousness was more common in females. Females experienced more severe strokes upon admission (higher Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores) and had higher in-hospital mortality, while males had better functional outcomes at discharge (higher Modified Rankin Scale scores).
Conclusions:
- While stroke incidence is higher in males, females, particularly those over 70, face more severe outcomes and increased mortality.
- Sex-specific differences in clinical presentation and functional recovery warrant further investigation for tailored healthcare interventions.
- Despite similar prevalence of major comorbidities, lifestyle factors like smoking and prior stroke history contribute to male susceptibility.
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