Troubles neurologiques

Triggering Risk Factors for Stroke: A Case Crossover Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northwest India

Abstract

Sushil Razdan, KK Pandita and Sunil Kumar Raina

Introduction: The role of traditional risk factors in the pathophysiology of stroke (IS) has been established and is well know. It has recently been shown that 10 risk factors are associated with 90% of the risk of stroke. Material and methods: A case-crossover study design was used for the purpose of study. 2-hour hazard period immediately before the onset of stroke was compared with the 2-hour control period at the same time on the day before the onset of stroke. Results: The study assessed the role of seven potential triggers for stroke. Forty four patients (73%) reported exposure to at least one potential triggering factor during the 2 hours hazard period before onset of stroke symptoms. Twenty nine patients (66%) reported exposure to at least one of three (Anger, sudden change in posture, negative emotions) potential triggers during the 2-hour hazard period. Discussion: The current study examined possible association between exposure to potential triggers during a defined hazard period and triggering of the acute onset of stroke. There have been previously reported observations on the potential effect of emotions as a trigger for MI. Conclusion: The period of study and the study sample may not be large enough for extrapolation but nevertheless does open up a new area for research in our setup.