Abstract

Dr. Hafsa Shahid*, Dr. Izza Waheed and Dr. Syeda Arshia Maryam

ABSTRACT

Background: Stroke is an important morbidity for low and middle income countries like Pakistan. Ischemic CVA is one of the leading causes for death and disability. Objective: To determine the morbidity pattern in patients with ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: 150 Patient diagnosed of ischemic stroke, completing inclusion criteria were enrolled in this cross – sectional study. Once registered these study cases was assessed for different complications like UTI, shoulder pain, arrhythmia, pneumonia and hyponatremia after undergoing baseline investigations like complete blood count, urine test, blood tests, X-ray chest, ECG, and CT scan. Data was entered and analyzed by computer program SPSS-20. Results: Of these 150 study cases, 85 (56.6%) were male patients while 65 (43.3%) were female. Mean age of enrolled patient was 49.6± 7.18 years. Out of these 150 cases, 60 (40%) were from rural area while 90 (60%) from urban areas, 100 (66.6%) were hypertensive and 32 (21.3%) were diabetic. Mean body mass index (BMI) of our study cases was 24.8 ± 3.49 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 30 (20%). Previous history of stroke was present in 16 (10.6%) while family history of stroke was noted in 36 (24%) patients and 102 (68%) were illiterate and 48 (32%) were literate. History of smoking was present in 46 (30.6%) of patients. Mean serum sodium level was noted to 135.9 ± 2.03 mEq/L, shoulder pain in 55 (36%), pneumonia in 35 (23.3%), arrhythmia in 48 (32%) urinary tract infection (UTI) was noted in 76 (50.6%), and hyponatremia in 38 (25.3%). Conclusion: The results of our study showed that there's terribly high ratio of medical complications in CVA patient. We have a tendency to found that urinary tract infection was the foremost common complication followed by shoulder pain, arrhythmia, pneumonia and symptom. All clinicians treating such patients ought to fastidiously monitor such patients to require preventive measure against these complications, this may decrease disease morbidity and hospitalizations in these patients.