Stroke in young adults: identification of risk factors and prognosis

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to identify stroke risk factors in young adults and prognosis of stroke. The subjects included eighty six stroke patients at or below the age of 45 years. Most important risk factors prevalent in young adults were found to be hypertension [37%], diabetes mellitus [20%], smoking [22%], obesity [14%], heart disease [10.5%], hypercholestraemia [11.6%], psychogenic stress [23.2%] drug addiction [7%], and peurperium [3.5%]. In about 35% cases, no definite risk factor was found. Features predicting poor prognosis included haemorrhagic stroke, severe hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, papillary abnormalities and post stroke seizures. Over all mortality rate was 12%