Occurrence and tendencies of important risk factors in patients with acute stroke in Osijek area

Aim To investigate differences in frequency and distribution(according to type and subtype) of risk factors in patients sufferingfrom stroke in Osijek area in years 2004 and 2009. MethodsThe group of 130 patients suffering from acute stroke in2004 was compared to a group of 100 patients with the samedisease in 2009. Stroke was classified as hemorrhagic stroke (intracerebralhaemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage) andischemic stroke (divided into subtypes according to TOASTclassification). Presence of risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia,diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, myocardiopathyand smoking) was analyzed.Results Average age of acute stroke patients increased from67.3 in 2004 to 70.5 in 2009, and the frequency of arterialhypertension increased from 112 (86%) to 91 (91%), respectively.Frequency of hyperlipidemia, diabetes and atrialfibrillation also increased, while frequency of smoking andmyocardiopathy decreased. In 2009 significant differencesin the distribution of atrial fibrillation and myocardiopathyaccording to subtypes were found. Also, there were significantdifferences between actual presence of hyperlipidemia and atrialfibrillation and the patients’ awareness of them.Conclusion Arterial hypertension remains the most frequentrisk factor for stroke. Awareness about the presence of arterialhypertension and diabetes in stroke patients was high, butnot about hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation. These resultsemphasize the need for increased activity in the field of primaryand secondary prevention of stroke, and a possible reviewof diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.