Epidemiology, aetiology and clinical characteristics of ischaemic stroke in young adults: a retrospective study from Denizli, Türkiye

Abstract

Purpose: The incidence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in young adults is approximately 6-26 per 100,000 worldwide, and this numbers are increasing every year. Stroke aetiology among young adults are more diverse than those among older adults and require extensive diagnostic work-up. The aim of our study is to determine risk factors and stroke etiology in stroke patients aged 45 years and younger, followed in our clinic for the last 10 years, and to compare them with literature.Materials and methods: The study is included in the patients between the age of 18-45 years and are followed by Ischemic CVD in Pamukkale University Neurology clinic between January 2010 and November 2020.The clinical and demographic data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results: The most common risk factor was smoking (31.4%); hypertension (20.2%), diabetes mellitus (14.4%), hyperlipidemia (14.4%) and coronary arterial disease (11.6%) were following it. According to Trial of Org in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST)classification there were, large vessel disease in 13.4%, small vascular disease in 19.8%, cardioembolism in 16.7%, other determined aetiology in 11.5% and the most frequently stroke of undetermined etiology in 38.6%. The most common reason in other determined aetiology was Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.Conclusion: The incidence of young stroke is increasing every year and it is necessary to determine the underlying reasons to prevent and to give treatment for aetiology. Thus this will contribute to head off major health care costs, loss of workforce and to save young lives.