Descriptive study of cerebrovascular accidents among Hispanic population.

Background And Purpose: Data characterizing stroke patients among Hispanic population are scant. The aim of this study was to describe this population and to assess baseline knowledge of stroke type, risk factors, and family history, among others.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 253 stroke patients admitted to the University of Puerto Rico Hospital during the fiscal year July 2002 to June 2003 was done. A standardized data collection form was used to obtain the following information from patient records: patient age, gender, stroke type, time of symptom onset, patient risk factors, family risk factors, and patient outcome.

Results: We enrolled 253 patients, 120 (47%) males and 133 (53%) females. Patient age distribution was as follows: 18 (7%) were < 44 years, 79 (31%) were bwtween 45-64 years, 156 (62%) were > 65 years. Stroke type distribution was: ischemic 174 (69%), hemorrhagic 49 (19%), and transformation from ischemic to hemorrhagic 13 (5%). Ischemic stroke subtypes distribution was: large-artery occlusion 113 (65%), small-artery occlusion 60 (34%), cardio-embolism 1 (0.6%), 17 (7%) information was not recorded. Time of symptom onset: 153 (60%) > 3 hours, 14 (6%) < 3 hours, and 86 (34%) was unknown. Family history of risk factors was present in 103 (41%), not present 29 (11%) and 121 (49%) was unknown. Most common patient risk factors were: hypertension 212 (84%), > 65 years 156 (62%), male gender 120 (47%), diabetes mellitus 105 (42%), previous history of stroke 91 (36%), hyper-cholesterolemia 44 (17%), history of smoking 51 (20%), alcoholism 43 (17%).

Conclusion: The data obtained from this Hispanic population is similar to that reported in the literature for the general population. The prevalence of ischemic strokes out numbered by far the occurrence of hemorrhagic strokes in the study group. Both men and women demonstrated an increasing tendency of stroke incidence with increasing age. Among death outcome, a difference was evident in the > 65 age group, showing an increase in women fatality compared to men. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor. This study will serve to build a database for future reference, thus providing an evidence-based foundation for treatment, therapy improvement, and patient care.