Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors of Ischemic Stroke Treated at the University Hospital Center of Tlemcen (Algeria)

Objective: Determine the epidemiological profile of ischemic strokes treated at the University Hospital center of Tlemcen and describe the associated risk factors. Design and method: Descriptive study with prospective collection, involving patients with ischemic stroke at the University Hospital center of Tlemcen. A questionnaire was administered by interview to patients. The data were entered and analyzed by Epi-info 6 software. Results: The study involved 184 patients with ischemic stroke treated at the University hospital center of Tlemcen. A female predominance was noted, affecting 96 women and 88 men (sex ratio (m/f): 0.9). The average age was 63.75±14.34 years; with age extremes of 15 and 93 years. Subjects aged over 65 represented 47.28% of cases. The socio-economic characteristics of the study subjects were: 78.8% of patients were married; 86.4% had a low level of education; 54.3% were unemployed, 18.5% retired and 27.2% civil servants. A low socio-economic level was noted in 67.6% of cases. The associated risk factors were distributed as follows: Hypertension was the major risk factor, found in 114 subjects, or 62% of cases; with an average duration of 05.27± 5.76 years, reaching a maximum of 30 years. Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m2) was found in 27.2% of cases, with an average body mass index (BMI)of 27.1± 4.4 kg/m2 with extremes of 16.8 -39.9. Diabetes was found in 40 subjects, or 21.73% with average duration: 7.6± 8.8 years; going to a maximum of 35 years. Dyslipidemia: 28%; Tobacco: 26.1%; Heart diseases: 13%. The notion of hypertension in the family was noted in 51.1% of cases. Conclusions: Ischemic stroke is the most common neurological disorder. It's causes are multiple and vary in frequency. Primary prevention measures are necessary with management of risk factors, particularly hypertension, regardless of age.Other measures are essential for promoting the management of strokes, among others: the creation of a neurovascular unit dedicated to the management of strokes in an early and adequate manner and the establishment of a register of strokes, locally and nationally;