ABSTRACT
Background: Stroke, once considered a disease of the elderly, has been increasingly observed in young adults. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of stroke in young adults, focusing on clinical presentations, risk factors, and implications for early detection and management.
Aim: The primary aim of this study was to characterize the clinical presentations and risk factors associated with stroke in young adults. Additionally, we aimed to identify potential strategies for early detection and effective management of stroke in this demographic.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 95 young adult patients (aged 18-45) diagnosed with stroke between January and June 2022 was conducted at BHI Allied Hospital in Faisalabad. Data on clinical presentations, medical history, risk factors, imaging findings, and treatment approaches were collected and analyzed. Statistical methods, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were applied to identify significant associations and risk factors.
Results: The study revealed a diverse range of clinical presentations in young adults with stroke, including both ischemic and hemorrhagic subtypes. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and substance abuse were significantly associated with stroke in this population. Imaging findings indicated a high prevalence of vascular abnormalities. Early detection strategies, including public awareness campaigns and health education, were discussed as potential avenues for reducing the burden of stroke in young adults.
Conclusion: Stroke in young adults presents with a variety of clinical manifestations and is strongly linked to modifiable risk factors. The findings emphasize the need for targeted prevention and early detection efforts in this population to reduce the impact of stroke. Effective management strategies should be tailored to the unique characteristics of young adult stroke patients.
Keywords: Stroke, young adults, clinical presentations, risk factors, early detection, management, BHI Allied Hospital Faisalabad, 2022.