TRENDS OF CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES AT DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY TUZLA

The aim of this study was to show the trends of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in two analyzed periods at the Department of Neurology Tuzla, Bosnia and HerzegovinaPatients and methods. This retrospective study included 2363 patients with acute stroke who were hospitalized at the Department of Neurology Tuzla in the period from 2013 to 2015. Demographic data, types of stroke and mortality were analyzed in the three years period and compared with the previously analyzed period (2001-2005). The necessary data were taken from the standard history chart. The inclusion criterion was stroke confirmation with neuroimaging techniques. Results. Out of 2363 patients with acute stroke, there were 1186 (50.2%) women and 1177 (49.8%) men without statistical significance. The average age was 70 years. Ischemic strokes (IS) were statistically more frequent in the period 2013-2015 (p=0.02), while intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) was more common in the previously analyzed period (2001-2005) (p=0.0001). There was statistical significance in the distribution of certain types of stroke. The most frequent risk factors were hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. The mortality for all types of stroke, and the total in-hospital mortality were lower in comparison to the previously analyzed period (2001-2005).Conclusion. Improved diagnostic procedures lead to a different distribution of stroke subtypes. In the three-year analysis period, the prevalence of ischemic stroke increased and the in-hospital mortality reduced. Adequate control of modifiable stroke risk factors may help to reduce the occurrence of stroke.