Stroke Burden in Agrı: Stroke Situation in Underdeveloped Region of Turkey

Stroke is the second cause of mortality and the third cause of disability worldwide in adults. There is no published data about stroke in Agrı.We aim to define stroke subtypes and associated risk factors. Thus, we can be aware of stroke burden in rural areas and can develop strategies to reduce the stroke risk.

Records of Agrı State Hospital were investigated for a period of 3 years retrospectively. Patients were divided to ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke groups. Hemorrhagic strokes were classified as subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Ischemic strokes were classified according to localization and etiology. Vascular risk factors for ischemic stroke were assessed and compared between groups. The differences between variables were evaluated using Pearson κi square test and one-way ANOVA.

There were 1246 patients evaluated for stroke in Emergency Department and 525 (42% of prediagnosis) patients were diagnosed as stroke. There were 25.3% hemorrhagic (5.1% SAH and 20.1% ICH) versus 74.6% ischemic stroke. Intensive care required for 61.6% of hemorrhagic and 22.4% of ischemic patients. The most prevalent localization was partial anterior circulation infarction, and the most known etiology was cardioembolism after unknown cause in ischemic strokes. The most encountered risk factor was hypertension (HT). Coronary artery disease history, HT, and atrial fibrillation (AF) were risk factors for recurrent stroke (P = .001).

Stroke types in Agrı resembles more to Asian population than Europe. Awareness for stroke, HT, and AF treatment could be the primary targets for stroke reduction in underdeveloped regions.