Risk Factors for Strokes in Patients 15-45 Years Old Admitted at Ayatollah Roohani Hospital in Babol, Iran (2009-2010)

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the world. Risk factors for stroke in young adults are different from adults، this study aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors for strokes in patients 15-45 years old. In this cross-sectional study، hospital records of all patients 15-45 years old with stroke who were hospitalized in Ayatollah Roohani hospital during 2009-2010 by using a checklist including demographic characteristics، time of stroke onset، type of stroke and risk factors were extracted and the collected data were analyzed. The average age of patients was 38. 09±6. 11 years that 34 patients (52. 3%) were male and the rest were female. The most common type of stroke was ischemic in 61 cases (93. 8%)، that the most common of them was embolic in 38 (58. 8%) and hemorrhagic strokes (6. 2%)، and 10. 8 % were as a TIA (transient ischemic attack). Among the risk factors، hypertension was in 23 cases (35. 4%)، heart disease was in 20 cases (30. 8%) including ischemic heart disease in 7 cases (%10. 8)، mitral stenosis، patent foramen ovale each in 6 cases (9. 2%) and the others were different other cardiologic etiologies. Alcohol and substance abuse in 18 cases (28. 1%)، hyperlipidemia in 15 cases (23. 1%)، diabetes in 13 patients (20%)، hematologic disorders in 12 cases (18. 5%) that 6 cases (9. 2%) of them had hypercoagulable state. Miscellaneous causes were in 13. 8% cases and no risk factor found in 7. 7% cases. The most common type of stroke was ischemic stroke and hypertension، cardiovascular disorders، drug and alcohol abuse، hyperlipidemia and diabetes were the most common risk factors associated with stroke.