Stroke in women: experience in a developing country

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Existing research on gender differences in stroke presents diverse findings.
• Further investigation is needed across various global populations.
• This study focuses on stroke variations by gender within a developing country context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare stroke incidence, risk factors, severity, and outcomes between men and women.
• To analyze gender-specific differences in the quality of stroke care and treatment.
• To identify potential disparities in acute stroke management based on gender.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data were collected from a patient registry.
• Comparisons between male and female stroke patients included age, risk factors, stroke severity, quality of services, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• The study analyzed data from 4620 patients.
• Men were more numerous than women; however, women were older and presented with higher prevalence of hypertension and atrial fibrillation.
• Women experienced more severe strokes and poorer outcomes, yet received prompt and frequent revascularization therapies similarly to men.

Conclusions:

• Significant gender differences were observed in stroke risk factors and severity.
• No significant disparities in the promptness or frequency of acute stroke services were detected between genders.
• Within women, age-related differences in acute ischemic stroke subtypes and management were identified, favoring older age groups.