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The burden of stroke and transient ischemic attack in Pakistan: a community-based prevalence study.
- Source :
-
BMC neurology [BMC Neurol] 2009 Dec 01; Vol. 9, pp. 58. Date of Electronic Publication: 2009 Dec 01. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Background: The burden of cerebrovascular disease in developing countries is rising sharply. The prevalence of established risk factors of stroke is exceptionally high in Pakistan. However, there is limited data on the burden of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in South Asia. We report the first such study conducted in an urban slum of Karachi, Pakistan.<br />Methods: Individuals 35 years of age or older were invited for participation in this investigation through simple random sampling. A structured face-to-face interview was conducted using a pre-tested stroke symptom questionnaire in each participant to screen for past stroke or TIA followed by neurological examination of suspected cases. Anthropometric measurements and random blood glucose levels were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association of vascular risk factors with prevalence of stroke.<br />Results: Five hundred and forty five individuals (49.4% females) participated in the study with a response rate of 90.8%. One hundred and four individuals (19.1%) were observed to have a prior stroke while TIA was found in 53 individuals (9.7%). Overall, 119 individuals (21.8% with 66.4% females) had stroke and/or TIA. Female gender, old age, raised random blood glucose level and use of chewable tobacco were significantly associated with the prevalence of cerebrovascular disease.<br />Conclusion: This is the first study demonstrating an alarmingly high life-time prevalence of cerebrovascular disease in Pakistan. Individual and public health interventions in Pakistan to increase awareness about stroke, its prevention and therapy are warranted.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Age Distribution
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Pakistan epidemiology
Prevalence
Regression Analysis
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ischemic Attack, Transient epidemiology
Stroke epidemiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-2377
- Volume :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC neurology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19948076
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-9-58