Introduction:
Stroke or cerebrovascular accident or Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH) is defined
as an abrupt onset of a neurological deficit that is attributable to a focal vascular
cause. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide causing 6.2
million deaths in 2011. Relation of high total cholesterol and triglycerides with
ischemic heart disease is well established worldwide. High cholesterol level are
estimated to cause 56% of ischemic heart disease. However, dyslipidemia as a
risk factor for ischemic stroke has been quite controversial in recent times. It
has been observed in several studies that higher cholesterol and triglyceride
levels are associated with better outcome after ischemic stroke.
Aim:
The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of serum cholesterol on the
mortality and morbidity of stroke.
MaterialsandMethod:
We retrospectively included 100 consecutive patients over age 18 with Stroke
or cerebrovascular accident or Intracranial Hemorrhage (ICH) who were
admitted in Sree Mookambika Institute of Health Sciences, confirmed by CT
within 12 hours after onset. Patients with traumatism, brain tumor, previous
ICH, hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke, vascular cerebral
malformations, and patients who required neurosurgical procedures were
excluded. Data was collected with meticulous history, clinical examination with
detailed neurological examinations along with appropriate investigations. A
structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on family history of diabetesmellitus, history of hypertension, past and present illness, dietary pattern,
addiction and medication. NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) were evaluated at
admission. Descriptive and analytical statistics were performed by SPSS
version 16.IEC clearance and a written informed consent were obtained from
patient or patients attenders. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered
statistical significant.
Results:
Out of the 100 patients that were included in the study, the average age was 58.6
± 12.15. Male to female ratio was 3:1(75:25) which clearly states that men are
more prone to develop stroke compared to females. Among the patients who had
stroke, risk factors like hypercholesterolemia(75%), hypertension(65%),
diabetes mellitus(24%), smoking(40%), alcoholism(40%) were identified.
Regarding the stroke severity, 39% of the patients had a minor stroke, 44% had
a moderate intensity stroke while 17% of the patient had a severe stoke. A high
morbidity rate i.e., 80% was seen in patients who had had high total
cholesterol(75%) then compared to patients who had normal lipid profile with a
significant p value (<0.02).Only 2 passed away who was also found to have high
cholesterol and triglycerides.
Conclusion:
Our study concluded a positive correlation between serum total cholesterol.
Thus early detection of dyslipidemia and treatment with drugs along with
dietary modifications & lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of stroke.
Keywords: ICH, Stroke, Total Cholesterol, Cerebrovascular accident
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