Role of Hypertension as a Major Risk Factor of Stroke in Africa; Libya: Community Based Survey
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2015, Vol 9, Issue 5
Abstract
Hypertension is a very common medical disorder and a major health problem in North Africa. Hypertension is associated with an increase in the risk of stroke and hospitalization. Objectives: To estimate the importance of hypertension (HT) as a stroke predisposing risk factor among people living in Libyan community using both CHADS2 and Community Stroke Risk Classification (CSRC). Methodology: Area; North Africa (North of Libya, the capital Tripoli). Time; Five years from 2010-2014. The study was a community based descriptive cross-section, which screened 7497 individuals living in local communities, looking for risk factors of stroke. Hypertension was one of the factors which was studied in details by community physicians, among this population whom have HT were diagnosed by their past histories, medical reports, hospital discharge letters, whether they were taking any treatment or on a diet for hypertension and also medical examinations were conducted to confirm diagnosis by measuring blood pressures. Results: The prevalence of HT among study participants (7497 individuals) was 38% (2850 patients), among males and females was 50.2% and 49.8% respectively (P =0.041). Among different age groups, males had higher rates than females except for age intervals of 50-59 and ≥80 where females had higher rates. The male to female ratio among the total population screened was almost similar (19%: 18.9%). HT prevalence rose with the increase of age, with higher rates among age groups of over 40 (P <0.0001). 53% of hypertensive patients had: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (1538 patients), 27.3% had Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) (778 patients), 15.6% had Atrial Fibrillation (AF) (446 patients), 26.7% had Transient Ischemic attack (TIA) (761 patients), and 14.8% had prior stroke (PS) (423 patients), All these risk factors accompanying hypertension rose with increase of age (P<0.0001). 99.9% of hypertensive patients had risk points of stroke on the CHADS2 scoring system (0.1% had no risk points), from that 53% had intermediate scores (1-2 Risk Points) and 47% had high scores (≥3 risk points). Results of CSRC score showed that 99.9% of hypertensive patients had risk factors of stroke (0.1% had no risk factors), from whom 56% had intermediate scores (1-2 Risk Factors) and 54% had high scores (≥3 risk factors). Conclusion: Hypertension is a major risk factor of stroke among the North African Libyan population and many, of whom have HT, had very high risk scores in CHADS2 which mainly concentrates on 1-6 risk points (P<0.0001). Almost all hypertensive patients had risk factors of stroke on CSRC scores which was generally contributed to intermediate and high scores. CHADS2 & CSRC classification scores are very useful tools to be used to classify and describe the risk factors of stroke in a population of a community regardless of having hypertension or not.
Authors and Affiliations
Mohamed Kaled A. Shambesh, Taher Mohamed Emahbes, Zeinab Elmehdi Saleh, Malik Abdurrazag A. Elosta, Iman Mohamed Shambesh
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP347676
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2015/18897
- Views 55
- Downloads 0
Positive Correlation of Thyroid Gland Volume with Isthmus Dimensions and with Anthropometric Parameters through a Cross Sectional Study on Karachi Population
Objective: Diverse variation in normal thyroid gland volume (TGV) among populations is mainly due to age, gender, anthropometric parameters and genetic factors. This study was carried out to determine the correlation be...
Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in a Population-Based Sample of Adults in Tirana, Albania
Aims: Our aim was to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus through self-reports and measurement of fasting glucose level in a representative sample of Albanian adults residing in Tirana. Study Design: Cross-sectiona...
Vitamin D Levels in Men with Metabolic Syndrome with or Without Hypogonadism
Aims: To clarify the relation of metabolic syndrome (MS) with or without late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) and vitamin D deficiency in men. Study Design: Consecutive male patients with MS were additionally evaluated for LOH...
Mild-Tourniquet Induced Ischaemia-reperfusion Injury Results in Changes to Haematological, Haemostatic and Inflammatory Parameters
Background: Ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is an underlying condition in cardiovascular disease such as arthrosclerosis and stroke, and occurs during surgery that involves the application of a tourniquet. These clini...
General Osteopathic Treatment is Associated with Postural Changes
Aim: To investigate whether standard general osteopathic treatment can influence the static configuration of the vertebral column or pelvis. Material and Methods: One hundred thirteen persons, 72 females and 41 males, ei...