Sex Differences in Stroke in Cameroon: Results From a One-Year Prospective Follow-Up Cohort Study

Data suggests that men and women have different vascular risk profiles, clinical characteristics, and outcome trajectories after stroke. There is a dearth of data on sex differences in stroke in Cameroon. We aimed to examine sex differences in stroke in a 1-year follow-up prospective cohort study in Cameroon.

This prospective cohort study included patients who were hospitalized for acute stroke and who were discharged between January 2013 and December 2013. Patients were followed up for 12 months. We compared differences in risk factors, clinical presentation at baseline, and mortality within 12 months of follow-up between men and women. A p value < 0.05 was considered as threshold for statistical significance.

A total of 254 patients with stroke were included in this study at baseline, including 135 (53.1%) men. Women were significantly older than men (65.7 ± 15.5 years vs. 59.2 ± 12.4, p < 0.001). Men were more likely to smoke and consume alcohol when compared to women (all p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in stroke severity on admission between men and women according to the National Institute of Health stroke scale (9.8 vs. 11.2, respectively, p = 0.137). Women had a significantly higher disability on admission compared to men (modified Rankin Score (mRS) = 3.9 vs. mRS = 3.7 respectively, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in stroke subtype between men and women. At the end of the 1 year follow up, there was no statistically significant difference in disability (p = 0.22) and the 1-year mortality (p = 0.329) between men and women.

Men with stroke were younger and were more likely to smoke and consume alcohol. Women had greater stroke disability on admission. There was no significant difference in disability and in 1-year mortality between men and women, although mortality was higher in women.