Detection of stroke risk factors over the decade in the polish population of ischemic stroke patients

Purpose
Stroke risk factors are divided into modifiable and non-modifiable. As much as 90% of stroke incidence is provoked by modifiable risk factors. The aim of the study was to assess the pre-stroke risk factors’ detection in the population of Szczecin during a decade.

Methods
Retrospective analysis of consecutive ischemic stroke patients, including transient ischemic attack (TIA), hospitalised between 2003 and 2005 (group I, n = 1524) as compared to the period from 2013 to 2014 (group II, n = 869).

Results
The mean age of population in group I was 70 years as compared to 74 in group II (p < 0.001). The pre-hospital detection of the main ischemic stroke risk factors increased significantly, which refers mainly to hypertension, coronary heart disease, atrial fibrillation, diabetes and dyslipidemia; however, acute coronary syndrome remained at the same level. The frequency of in-hospital detection decreased in diabetes and dyslipidemia with no change of hypertension and coronary heart disease. Atrial fibrillation was the only analysed risk factor that was more frequently detected both pre- and in-hospital after 10 years. The frequency of excessive drinking and smoking decreased throughout the decade. There were no changes in neurological deficit and mortality during the hospitalisation. TIA was more often observed in group II.

Conclusions
During a decade, we observed an improvement in detection of the main modifiable stroke risk factors, including reduction in the habits frequency that lead to increase in the age at stroke onset. The detection and management within the risk factors in the primary prevention of stroke in the group of Polish stroke patients improved in the analysed period.