Frequency of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus in acute ischaemic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus in acute ischaemic stroke patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY

Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from June 2007 - June 2008.

METHODOLOGY

This study included adult patients (age > 30 years, both genders) with the diagnosis of acute ischaemic stroke. Patients who were known to have diabetes mellitus prior to stroke, had a non-lacunar stroke or were admitted to intensive care units for any reason were excluded. Detailed history and examination, fasting blood sugar, fasting lipid profile, a non-enhanced CT scan brain and electrocardiogram were done on every patient. Data were entered on a preformed proforma. The results were analyzed on SPSS version 10. Chi-square test was applied. P-value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 250 patients were enrolled. The male: female ratio was 1: 0.9. Mean age was observed as 60.9±10.1 years. In total, 50 new cases of diabetes mellitus were identified (20%). Average fasting blood sugar in diabetic subjects was 148±10 mg/dl. The most common risk factors in the newly diagnosed diabetic subjects were hypertension 26 (52%), smoking 18 (36%) and hyperlipidemia 14 (28%). Atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction were seen in 12 subjects (24%) and 9 subjects (18%) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Twenty percent patients with acute ischaemic stroke had un-diagnosed diabetes. Therefore, it is advisable to screen acute stroke patients for diabetes to reduce their long-term morbidity and mortality.