DETERMINATION OF FREQUENCY OF RISK FACTORS IN VARIOUS STROKES IN ADULT MALES AND FEMALES USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE AS IMAGING MOTILITY IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS

Abstract

Background: Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability and mortality worldwide, with its burden disproportionately higher in low- and middle-income countries. Early identification of stroke type and associated modifiable risk factors is essential for planning targeted prevention strategies. In Pakistan, limited regional data on stroke patterns and risk profiles hinder effective health-care planning. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers superior diagnostic accuracy for early ischemic changes compared with computed tomography, enabling more reliable characterization of stroke subtype and distribution.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of prevalent modifiable risk factors and the distribution of MRI-confirmed stroke types among patients in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), Peshawar, involving 150 adult patients aged ≥18 years with MRI-confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Data were collected using structured proformas that recorded demographics, stroke subtype, anatomical region involved, and established cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, smoking, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and family history. Patients with acute or chronic infarcts or hemorrhagic lesions were included. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-22, generating descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and graphical distributions.

Results: Among 150 patients aged 18–60 years, ischemic stroke was observed in 117 cases (78%), hemorrhagic stroke in 14 cases (9.3%), and mixed ischemic-hemorrhagic presentation in 19 cases (12.7%). Of 85 male patients, 67 (78.8%) had ischemic stroke, 6 (7.05%) had hemorrhagic stroke, and 12 (14.11%) had mixed stroke. Among 65 females, 50 (76.9%) had ischemic stroke, 8 (12.3%) hemorrhagic stroke, and 7 (10.76%) mixed patterns. Age distribution showed 13.3% cases in the 18–32 group, 14% in the 32–46 group, and 72.6% in the 46–60 group.

Conclusion: The study concluded that ischemic stroke was markedly more prevalent than hemorrhagic stroke, with frequency rising significantly after 45 years of age and affecting males more commonly. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus emerged as the dominant modifiable risk factors. The findings reinforce the need for targeted public health strategies emphasizing early detection, hypertension control, and broader access to MRI for accurate diagnosis.