Demographic characteristics and types of stroke in Southwestern Saudi Arabia, and the potential demand of neuro endovascular specialists.

OBJECTIVES: To identify demographic characteristics, and types of stroke in Southwestern (Aseer) Region, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This study is a retrospective and hospital-based. The data of all stroke patients (n=562) admitted to the tertiary care hospital in the province, Aseer Central Hospital (ACH) within the period from January 2016 until December 2017 are included. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of stoke patients' age was 62.6 ± 17.0 years. Male patients were more than female patients (62.6% and 37.4%, respectively). The majority (93.2%) were Saudi, while 91.5% had below university education and 6.4% were smokers. Interestingly, only 2% of patients had a family history of stroke, while 68.1% were diabetic, 80.4% were hypertensive, 91.6% had high serum cholesterol level, and 10.7% had history of transient ischemic attacks (TIA). Despite the lack of awareness, and leading to delay in reaching health care facility, 58.1% of stroke patients, were arriving to emergency department (ED) in less than 24 hours (potential endovascular therapeutic window). CONCLUSIONS: In Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia, stroke affects mainly those who are older, less educated, diabetic, hypertensive, with hypercholesterolemia and previous history of TIA. Associated factors for stroke differ significantly according to their nationality.

Clinical and epidemiological profile of cerebral venous thrombosis. A Multicenter retrospective study in Aseer Region Saudi Arabi.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the epidemiological pattern and correlates with the clinical outcome of Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective record_based cohort design was conducted including all patients admitted with diagnosis of CVT in 2 main tertiary hospitals in Aseer Region between 2015 to the end of 2018. The study hospitals were Aseer Central Hospital and Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region. The data were collected by structured data sheets, including sociodemographic data. Assessment of known risk factors for CVT, clinical presentation, treatment received, and clinical outcome after treatment were extracted. RESULTS: The study included 119 patients with CVT, whose ages ranged from 15 to 97 years, with a mean age of 35.5-/+14.1 years. Majority of the patients were females (81.5%). Headache was the most presenting (82.4%) symptom, followed by vomiting (30.3%) and a decreased level of consciousness. Thirty_three cases (27.7%) had complications, and recanalization was recorded among 92 cases (94.8%) based on follow up vascular imaging. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that most of the cases of CVT had favorable clinical outcome and recanalization, especially those who had a shorter duration untildiagnosis. Young females were the most affected group.