JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH
Decoding the Clinical Patterns and Underlying Risk Factors of Posterior Circulation Stroke: A Cross-sectional Study
By Alishetty Vinay, CT Meyammai, J Pradeep Kumar and 1 others.
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JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH
By Alishetty Vinay, CT Meyammai, J Pradeep Kumar and 1 others.
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Posterior Circulation Stroke (PCS) constitutes a substantial proportion of ischemic strokes. It frequently exhibits non specific clinical features, making diagnosis difficult and potentially delayed. Hence, adequate knowledge of the clinical trends and risk factors is essential for early detection and improved outcomes.
To assess the demographic features, clinical manifestations and vital vascular risk factors in PCS patients. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the General Medicine Department in a Tertiary Care Centre at Kanchipuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from July 2024 to July 2025. A total of 50 patients diagnosed with PCS were included in the study. The assessment of patients was done via brief clinical history, neurological examination and investigation of the laboratory and imaging data. A structured proforma was utilised to record demographic data, risk factors pertaining to vasculature and clinical characteristics of the PCS patients. Descriptive statistical analysis was done to evaluate the collected data, with results expressed as mean, Standard Deviation (SD), frequencies and percentages.
The mean age was 58.6±12.4 years. The male population constituted 32 (64%). The average BMI was 26.1±3.8kg/m2, indicating that the mean BMI was within the overweight range. The predominant risk factor was hypertension with 31 (62%), followed by smoking with 28 (56%), diabetes mellitus with 24 (48%), hyperlipidaemia with 20 (40%) and alcohol consumption with 18 (36%). Smoking was significantly associated with brainstem involvement on univariate analysis (p=0.048) and remained an independent predictor after multivariable adjustment {Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.21; 95% CI: 1.09–9.42; p=0.034}. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
In this cohort, PCS was more frequently observed among older adults and males, with a substantial burden of vascular risk factors. Even though statistical associations were not identified with any of the modifiable cardiovascular risk factors except smoking, the potential outcomes of these risk factors cannot be overlooked. Early diagnoses of these risk determinants play a critical role in mitigating complications and optimising clinical outcomes.
Published in JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH. The abstract is shown as published and remains the work of its authors; read the full article at the source.
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