MORBIDITY PATTERN OF PATIENTS WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Background; This study was conducted to document frequency of medical complications among ischemic stroke patients to determine magnitude of the problem in our local population. Objective; To determine the morbidity pattern in patients with ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods; All the cases of ischemic stroke (181), fulfilling inclusion criteria were recruited in this cross – sectional study. Once registered these study cases was assessed for different complications (UTI, shoulder pain, arrhythmia, pneumonia and hyponatremia) after undergoing baseline investigations like urine test, blood tests and ECG. Data was entered and analyzed by computer program SPSS-18. Results; Of these 181 study cases, 101 (55.8%) were male patients while 80 (44.2%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 50.68± 7.18 years. Of these 181 study cases, 80 (44.2%) were from rural area while 101 (55.8%) from urban areas, 43 (23.8%) were diabetic and 118 (65.2%) were hypertensive. Mean body mass index (BMI) of our study cases was 23.58 ± 3.29 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 29 (16%). History of smoking was present in 43 (23.8%) of our study cases. Previous history of stroke was present in 21 (11.6%) while family history of stroke was noted in 37 (20.4%) of our study cases and 130 (71.8 %) were illiterate and 51 (28.2%) were literate. Mean serum sodium level was noted to 136.29 ± 2.01 mEq/L, urinary tract infection (UTI) was noted in 87 (48.1%), shoulder pain in 72 (39.8%), pneumonia in 43 (23.8%), arrhythmia in 58 (32 %) and hyponatremia in 51 (28.2%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Our study results indicate high proportion of medical complications in patients with ischemic stroke. Urinary tract infection was the most commonest complication followed by shoulder pain, arrhythmia, pneumonia and hyponatremia. All clinicians treating such patients should carefully monitor such patients to take preventive measure against these complications, this will decrease disease morbidity and hospitalizations in these patients. Keywords; Ischemic stroke, medical complications, Frequency