Characterization of hospitalized ischemic stroke patients in Palestine

ABSTRACT

Stroke is a major health problem, yet no studies on stroke have been reported from Palestine. This one-year, hospital-based study was conducted to determine the prevalence of risk factors and the in-hospital mortality rate in patients with ischemic stroke. All patients admitted to Al-Watani government hospital and diagnosed with ischemic stroke between September 2006 and August 2007 were included in the study. Data were obtained by retrospective review of medical charts. Pearson Chi-square and independent t test were used in the univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of in-hospital mortality rates among the patients. Statistical testing and graphics were carried out using SPSS 15. We identified 153 ischemic stroke patients [83 females and 70 males] of whom 92 were having a first-ever stroke [FES]. Patients had several prevalent modifiable risk factors such as hypertension [HTN] [66%], diabetes mellitus [DM] [45.8%], and renal reduced renal function [crcl < 60 ml/ min] [33.9%]. Twenty-six [17%] of the patients died during hospitalization. Four variables were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality history of previous stroke [P= 0.004], crcl at admission [P=0.004], number of post-stroke complications [P=0.001], and age [P=0.043]. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of post-stroke complications [P= 0.001] and previous stroke [P=0.03] were significant independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Screening and better control of risk factors, especially HTN, DM and renal dysfunction, are required to decrease the incidence and in-hospital mortality among patients with ischemic stroke