ABSTRACT
Population based study on stroke morbidity and mortality is lacking in our country. We described the clinical pattern of patients with stroke admitted in Neuromedicine Unit, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. One hundred and six consecutive patients were included in the study. Clinical diagnosis of stroke, initial assessment, and assessment of outcome of stroke were performed by the neurologists. On admission blood glucose, and creatinine level was estimated, and an electrocardiogram was recorded. Fasting lipid level estimation and CT-scan of brain were performed for patients who could afford the cost. The mean age of the patients was 60.0 +/-13.7 years and the highest occurrence of stroke was found in the age group of 61 - 70 years. The proportions of rural, semiurban and urban patients were 46.2%, 27.4% and 26.4% respectively. A large portion of the patients were found illiterate (47.2%), and only one patient had postgraduate education. The average per capita income was found 1159 +/-762 taka per month. About one-fourth of the patients had diabetes (21.7%). Hypertension, ischemic heart disease and dyslipidemia were found in 59.4%, 18.9% and 11.3% respectively. The cause of hospitalization was altered consciousness (58.5%), right hemiplegia (32.1%), and left hemiplegia (31.1%) either alone or in combination. The mean duration of hospital stay was 5.25 +/-2.19 days. Fifty percent partially and 35% satisfactorily recovered, and 7 (6.6%) patients expired. Patients from lower socioeconomic group were admitted in the hospital. A considerable number of stroke patients had hypertension and diabetes.