Rheumatic diseases presenting with young ischemic stroke: Revelations from tertiary center experience

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency and clinical features of diagnosed rheumatological disease in patients who have no previous history of rheumatic disease and are consulted to the rheumatology clinic from other departments to investigate the etiology of early-onset ischemic stroke.

Patients aged 18-65, who had not previously been diagnosed with rheumatic disease, had ischemic stroke for the first time, and were consulted to rheumatology clinic to investigate the etiology of the disease, were retrospectively included in the study. Demographics, clinic laboratory, imaging data and the final diagnosis of the patients were obtained from hospital records.

A total of 115 patients who had their first ischemic stroke were identified in the study. 70 of them were detected to have young ischemic stroke. Of these patients, 1 was diagnosed with lupus with secondary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and Sjögren's syndrome 1 with lupus and secondary APS, 2 with primary APS, 1 with lupus, 1 with primary Sjögren's syndrome and 1 with granulomatous with polyangiitis.

Determining the correct etiological diagnosis of ischemic stroke, especially in young adults, is important in terms of preventing recurrent ischemic attacks. It is important to raise awareness of clinicians in terms of rheumatic diseases and to refer patients to the rheumatology department if deemed necessary.