ABSTRACT
Background Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability around the world. It is responsible for 10% of all fatalities and about 5% of all disabilities. Risk factors include age, hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, and atrial fibrillation. The incidence of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is increasing among young adults compared to older ones. It has a direct impact on their quality of life and working activities while also burdening the healthcare system. Aim The aim of this study is to investigate the possible risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients who are under 50 years old. Methods This is a single-center retrospective record review of patients with ischemic stroke from 2010 to 2022. Eighty patients who had an ischemic stroke at an age below 50 were included in the analysis. Patients above or equal to 50 years old who had ischemic stroke and all patients with hemorrhagic stroke were excluded. Baseline characteristics, length of hospitalization, and in-hospital mortality were compared with different comorbidities. Results The mean age was 36.65 among males and females who had an ischemic stroke. 56.8% of them were non-Saudi, while 43.2% were Saudis. Diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were among the most frequent comorbidities among patients who had ischemic stroke, with a percentage of 82.7%. Other comorbidities, such as autoimmune disease, thrombophilia, and heart failure, were present. Conclusion There are different comorbidities found in patients who have had an ischemic stroke and are under 50 years old. However, diabetes and hypertension remain the most common risk factors.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Due to its high morbidity and mortality after open-heart surgery, sternal wound infection (SWI) is one of the most important consequences to avoid and manage. AIM: To assess the incidence, risk factor, causative organisms, and mortality of SWIs in patients who had open-heart surgery over a 9-year period at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective study was done on 634 patients who underwent open heart surgery. Data was collected, including patient demographics, BMI, blood group, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, COPD, previous cardiac surgery, previous myocardial infarction, duration of the operation, blood transfusion during the operation, hospital length of stay, and bypass time with each type of sternal wound infection. RESULTS: The incidence of SSWI and DSWI was 8.6% and 4.1%, respectively. Coagulase-negative staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated organism from SSWI and DSWI patients. A concomitant diabetes mellitus that necessitates blood transfusion was identified as one of the risk variables for SSWI in a multivariate regression study. While concomitant diabetes, being a woman, and a lengthy hospital stay were independently linked with DSWI. Compared with the SSWI group, the 30-day mortality rate for DSWI patients was 3.8% as opposed to 3.7%, and the difference in survival was not statistically significant. Having an older, longer bypass time, and postoperative problems were independent risk factors for 30-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Future studies in various healthcare settings are required in order to generalize the results because this was a single center study.
