Clinical Profile of Stroke-Study Conducted in the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Stroke as a disease entity has significantly increased the morbidity, incapacity, and mortality in Sri Lanka. In the west, it is the 3rd most common cause of death. In addition to that, it is a disturbing and restricting cerebrovascular disease with a substantial amount of remaining shortage leading on to emotional and financial burden on the family and society. A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at Teaching Hospital Batticaloa, Sri Lanka from July 1, 2016, to October 31, 2016. During the study period, data were collected from the medical records. Out of 34 patients, 21 (61.8%) were males and 13 (38.2%) were females. The male to female ratio was 1.6:1. Out of 34 patients, 17 (50%) were affected in the left side and 17 (50%) were affected on the right side. The most common risk factor was hypertension with 79.4%, and next to that diabetes mellitus (41.2%), smoking (23.5%), alcohol (20.6%), past history of Stroke (17.6%) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (14.7%). Stroke due to infarction is more common than haemorrhage. In this study, both right and left sides were affected equally. In order to prevent this devastating stroke, acknowledgment of risk factors for stroke is prime importance for the healthcare workers as well as public.