Risk factors and etiologies of ischemic strokes in young patients: a tertiary hospital study in north India

Background and purpose: Stroke in young adults has a special significance in developing countries, as it affects the most economically productive group of the society. We identified the risk factors and etiologies of young patients who suffered ischemic strokes and were admitted to a tertiary referral hospital in North India.

Methods: A retrospective review of case records from patients with ischemic stroke in the age range of 18-45 years was conducted from 2005 to 2010. Data regarding patients' clinical profiles, medical histories, diagnostic test results, and modified Rankin Scale scores at hospital discharge were examined. Stroke subtyping was conducted in accordance with the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria.

Results: Of the 2,634 patients admitted for ischemic stroke, 440 (16.7%) were in the 18-45 year age range and the majority (83.4%) were male. The most common risk factors were hypertension (34.4%) and dyslipidemia (26.5%). The most common subtype of stroke was undetermined (57%), followed by other determined causes (17.3%). Among the category of undetermined etiology, incomplete evaluation was the most common. Most of the patients demonstrated good functional outcomes.

Conclusions: Young adults account for 16.7% of all stroke patients in North India. Risk factors are relatively prevalent, and a high proportion of the patients are categorized under undetermined and other determined causes. The results highlight the needs for aggressive management of traditional risk factors and extensive patient work-ups to identify stroke etiology in India.