ISCHEMIC STROKE;

FREQUENCY OF RAISED HEMOGLOBIN A1c IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ISCHEMIC STROKE

Abstract

Background: Patients with acute ischemic stroke frequently test positive for
hyperglycemia, which is associated with a poor clinical outcome. This association between poor
glycemic control and an unfavorable prognosis is particularly evident in patients with persistent
hyperglycemia, patients without a known history of diabetes mellitus (DM), and patients with
cortical infarction. Objective: To determine the frequency of raised hemoglobin A1c in patients
presenting with ischemic stroke. Material & Methods: Study design: Retrospective study.
Setting: Department of Medicine, Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Duration:
6 months. Data collection procedure: Reports of 150 patients fulfilling selection criteria
were selected from medical record section of Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad.
Demographic details were obtained. Then medical record of patients was assessed for presence
of HbA1c. If HbA1c of patients was reported ≥ 6.5%, then raised HbA1c was labeled. Results:
In this study raised HbA1C level in patients presenting with ischemic stroke was 25%. Among
these patients the most affected age group of patients was 41-60 years. Female patients were
more effected than male patients. Among these patients only 27% were diabetic while 73%
were non-diabetic, 54% were smokers, 32% patients were hypertensive and in 14% patients
hyperlipidemia was seen. All these factors were not significantly associated with raised HbA1c
level in patients presenting with ischemic stroke. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate
a high frequency of raised HbA1c level in patients presenting with ischemic stroke. i.e. 25%. So
keeping in mind these findings it is recommended that stroke patients should also be screened
for hyperglycemia or increased HbA1c so that patients can be prevented from development of
permanent hyperglycemia or other complications associated with it.