Demographic and Risk Factor Profile of Stroke Among Women in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Stroke has increasingly become a major health problem worldwide and shows an increasing incidence amongst the Arab population in recent years. A study held in the Middle East (ME) revealed that with the increasing number of Stroke cases amongst the Arab population, the mortality rates secondary to stroke is expected to double by the year 2030.The aim of this study was to conduct a descriptive analysis of stroke in the Bahraini female population and assess the associated risk factors leading to stroke. Methods: This retrospective study at a tertiary setting was carried out in Bahrain from the year 2016-2019 with a sample size of 108 female stroke patients. Results: Ischemic stroke was the most reported form of stroke, with the large artery being the most prevalent underlying etiology. Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, Coronary Artery disease/ atrial fibrillation) (p= 0.003) were the associated risk factors. Amongst the mentioned risk factors, the most prevalent factor was seen to be Hypertension, with an overall mortality rate of 10%. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the contribution of metabolic syndrome in the causation of stroke cases in the female Bahraini population. Keywords: Female, Hypertension, Quality of life, Risk factor, Stroke