Prevalence of stroke symptoms among stroke-free residents: first national data from Lebanon

Journal Article

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International journal of stroke : official journal of the International Stroke Society

Int.J.Stroke

Oct

10 Suppl A100

England

1747-4949; 1747-4930

PMID: 26178607

eng

Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; IM

10.1111/ijs.12563 [doi]

Unknown(0)

26178607

BACKGROUND: Stroke symptoms are common among people without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Reported stroke symptoms may represent stroke episodes that failed to reach the threshold for clinical diagnosis. AIMS: This study aimed to assess in the Lebanese population the prevalence of self-reported stroke symptoms in a stroke- and transient ischemic attack-free population, and the association of these symptoms with major risk factors for stroke. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sample across Lebanon. We interviewed residents aged 40 years and more. Stroke symptoms were assessed using the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke-Free Status. RESULTS: We included 1515 individuals (mean age was 57.2 +/- 12.4 years, 783 women, 51.7%). Among 1460 participants stroke- and transient ischemic attack-free, 175 had experienced at least one stroke symptom (12.1%, 95% CI 9.9%-14.3%). Arterial hypertension (adjOR 4.37, 95% CI 2.68-7.12), history of heart disease (adjOR 3.34, 95% CI 2.00-5.56), current waterpipe smoking (adjOR 3.88, 95% CI 2.33-6.48), current and former cigarette smoking (adjOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.18-2.87 and adjOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.13-3.5, respectively), psychological distress (adjOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.05), the Mediterranean diet score (adjOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99), and regular physical activity (adjOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26-0.77) were independently associated with stroke symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study conducted in the Middle East, assessing self-reported stroke symptoms among stroke-free residents. Our study showed that almost one in eight residents without a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack has had stroke symptoms. Major vascular risk factors are associated with these symptoms, thus allowing for prevention strategies.

World Stroke Organization

Farah,R., Zeidan,R.K., Chahine,M.N., Asmar,R., Chahine,R., Salameh,P., Hosseini,H.

Doctoral School of Life and Health Sciences, Paris-Est University, Creteil, France.; Doctoral School of Biology Health and Biotechnologies, Toulouse III University, Toulouse, France.; Foundation-Medical Research Institutes, F-MRI(R), Beirut, Lebanon.; Fou

20150714

http://vp9py7xf3h.search.serialssolutions.com/?charset=utf-8&pmid=26178607

2015