Emerging Trends in Stroke Epidemiology in Indian Women Over the Last Decade

Temporal trends in clinico-epidemiological parameters of stroke among Indian women have not been studied. We aimed to study the changes in these parameters over the last decade.

417 strokes (ischemic/hemorrhagic) were prospectively recruited in two timelines. In total, 267 strokes were recruited in 2005 while 150 strokes were recruited in 2016-17. Patients underwent stepwise evaluation via a structured proforma. Demographic factors, stroke subtypes, and risk factors were analyzed.

Female strokes had a higher mean age in 2017 compared to 2005 (60.90 ± 16.9 vs. 53.21 ± 16.75 years, P = 0.002). Hemorrhagic strokes among females increased over the last decade. Female strokes with dyslipidemia were significantly lower in 2017 compared to 2005 (P = 0.002). Proportion of hypertensive and diabetic strokes were not significantly different between these two periods.

Over the past decade, the mean age of stroke onset has increased while the prevalence of dyslipidemia has reduced significantly among Indian female stroke patients.