Prevalence, risk factors and secondary prevention of stroke recurrence in eight countries from south, east and southeast asia: a scoping review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In most Asian countries, stroke is one of themajor causes of mortality. A stroke event is life-changing forstroke survivors, which results in either mortality ordisability. Therefore, this study comprehensively focuses onprevalence, risk factors, and secondary prevention forstroke recurrence identified in South, East, and SoutheastAsian countries. Methods: This scoping review uses themethodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley. Acomprehensive search of academic journals (English) onthis topic published from 2007 to 2017 was conducted. Atotal of 22 studies were selected from 585 studies screenedfrom the electronic databases.Results: First-year stroke recurrence rates are in the rangeof 2.2% to 25.4%. Besides that, modifiable risk factors aresignificantly associated with pathophysiological factors(hypertension, ankle-brachial pressure index, atherogenicdyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, andatrial fibrillation) and lifestyle factors (obesity, smoking,physical inactivity, and high salt intake). Furthermore, age,previous history of cerebrovascular events, and strokesubtype are also significant influence risk factors forrecurrence. A strategic secondary prevention method forrecurrent stroke is health education along with managingrisk factors through a combination of appropriate lifestyleintervention and pharmacological therapy.Conclusion: To prevent recurrent stroke, health interventionshould be geared towards changing lifestyle to embody ahealthier approach to life. This is of great importance topublic health and stroke survivors’ quality of life.