AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CEREBROVASCULAR STROKE

Abstract

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a major global health problem and a leading cause of death and long-term disability. The burden of stroke continues to rise, especially in developing countries like India, due to increasing exposure to lifestyle-related and age-related risk factors. Understanding the prevalence and associated risk contributors is essential for improving prevention, early detection, and management. This study aims to assess the prevalence of stroke and identify key modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors among patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital.  An observational study was conducted on 152 confirmed CVA patients admitted to the Government District General Hospital, Karimnagar. Data were collected over six months from patient case notes and included demographic details, social history, risk factors, stroke type, and severity scoring. The severity of Ischemic stroke % hemorrhagic stroke was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) and Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH) scales respectively.  Most patients belonged to the 60–79-year age group, with the highest proportion in the 70–74-year range (19.10%). Females (53.29%) were slightly more affected than males (46.71%). Social habits showed that 16.40% consumed alcohol, 13.10% smoked, and 8.50% engaged in both, while 62% had no addictions. Ischemic stroke was predominant (74%; n=112) than hemorrhagic stroke accounted for 26% (n=40). Among ischemic stroke patients, FRS classification showed: 32% low risk, 26% moderate risk, and 42% high risk, with males contributing more to high-risk categories. Hemorrhagic stroke severity via the ICH scale showed 45% low risk, 52.5% moderate risk, and 2.5% high risk. Hypertension emerged as the most common risk factor (39.50%), followed by alcohol (16.40%), diabetes (15.10%), smoking (13.10%), family history (5.30%). Severity-specific prevalence among patients showed 35.50% as low severity, 32.90% with moderate and 31.60% as high severity overall. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ischemic stroke is more prevalent than hemorrhagic stroke, with elderly individuals and females being more commonly affected. Hypertension remains the dominant modifiable risk factor, indicating the need for strict blood pressure control and lifestyle modification. The findings highlight the importance of early risk assessment, patient education, and targeted preventive strategies to reduce stroke incidence and severity in the population.