P.017 Ischemic stroke in young adults: a comparison of outcomes, stroke risk factors and etiologies between males and females

Background: The primary aim was to determine if functional outcomes among young adults with stroke differed based on sex. The secondary aim was to identify differences in stroke risk factors and etiologies between females and males. Methods: Retrospective analysis of acute ischemic stroke patients aged 18 to 55 years from a stroke registry between 2018 to 2022. Multivariable logistic regression to analyse if modified Rankin Scale at 3-6 months (mRS, 0-2 versus 3-6) was associated with sex. Results: 315 patients (127 female), median age 48 years (IQR 42-52), median NIHSS 10 (IQR 4-19, median mRS (3-6 months) 2 (IQR 1-3). Following adjustment for vascular risk factors, clinical stroke characteristics, baseline mRS and stroke time metrics no significant difference in mRS (3-6 months) based on sex (p=0.40). Females more frequently had an unknown time of stroke onset (p=0.03). Large-artery atherosclerosis as a stroke etiology (p=0.01), known atrial fibrillation (p=0.03) and drug use (p=0.003) were more frequent in males. Conclusions: Patient-oriented outcomes maybe of interest in future studies as functional mRS outcomes do not differ between young male and female stroke patients. Males had a higher prevalence of large-artery atherosclerosis and risk factors including drug use and atrial fibrillation. These findings could help develop targeted stroke prevention strategies.