Gender and age differences in ischemic stroke in a hospital of Uberlandia, Brazil between 2011 and 2015

Abstract

Ischemic stroke occurs when a cerebral artery is obstructed by a thrombus, an embolus, or compression from surrounding tissues. Ischemic strokes account for 80-87% of strokes. Strokes are the second leading cause of death worldwide and of natural deaths in men and women in Brazil. There are, however, few studies on the profile of ischemic stroke in cities such as Uberlândia, which is located in the interior of Brazil. The objective of this study is, thus, to describe the ischemic stroke profile in a Hospital in Uberlandia, between 2011-2015, with respect to gender and age group. This is a cross-sectional study. Only ischemic strokes were taken into account. All events resulting from hemorrhagic causes were excluded. This study observed that ischemic stroke followed a different pattern according to gender and age group. Regarding gender, this vascular event was slightly more prevalent in women. Regarding age group, up to age 70, ischemic stroke was predominant in men. After 70, however, it became predominant in women. This pattern was similar to the prevalence in age group of the following modifiable risk factors: hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and tobacco use. This epidemiological understanding brings us closer to the real context of ischemic stroke in our population, underlining the need for individualized attention to the groups which this study shows to be most affected.