Stroke in young adults: about 128 cases
Mohamed Chraa1, Nesrine Louhab1, Najib Kissani1
1Neurology Department, Mohamed VI universitary hospital, Marrakesh, Morocco.
The Pan African Medical Journal
|June 17, 2014
Summary
Ischemic stroke in young adults is a serious concern. This study in Marrakesh identified hypertension and smoking as key risk factors, with cardioembolic events being a common cause.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Ischemic stroke is uncommon but serious in young adults.
- This study focuses on understanding its characteristics in Marrakesh.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze risk factors, etiologies, and outcomes of ischemic stroke in young adults.
- To highlight challenges in diagnosis and rehabilitation in southern Morocco.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 128 patients (18-45 years) at Mohammed VI University Hospital.
- Diagnosis confirmed through clinical and radiological evaluation.
Main Results:
- Hypertension (49.2%) and smoking (40.6%) were primary risk factors.
- Cardioembolic origin (33.5%) was the leading cause; 40.6% had unknown etiologies.
- Syphilitic arthritis accounted for 11% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Embolic heart disease is highly prevalent in this region.
- Undiagnosed strokes may result from a lack of neurologists, low healthcare coverage, and physician underestimation.
- Challenges exist in etiological diagnosis and post-stroke rehabilitation.
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