A hospital-based study of stroke-related mortality

Background: Stroke is the second-most common cause of mortality worldwide. Stroke-related mortality data are needed for following health trends and for planning health policy. Objective: The objective is to determine the incidence of stroke-related mortality in 1 year, to study the demographic profile and risk factors of stroke mortality, and to study the complications due to stroke leading to mortality. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective hospital-based study for stroke-related mortality that had occurred between March 2019 and March 2020. The data were reviewed for demographic profile, co-morbidities and complications which had occurred during hospital stay. Results: A total of 51 patients had stroke-related mortality, mostly involving the age group of 41–50 years. There was a male pre-dominance of stroke-related mortality, except in the oldest (>80 years) age group. Haemorrhagic stroke had higher mortality, as compared to ischaemic stroke, with a lower mean age of mortality. Hypertension and alcohol consumption were the most common co-morbidities for haemorrhagic stroke-related morbidities, while dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking and cardiac illness were more common in ischaemic stroke-related mortality. Aspiration pneumonia was the most common complication in stroke-related mortalities. Conclusion: The study has shown a concerning trend of stroke-related mortality involving younger age group. Aggressive treatment of co-morbidities and complications is necessary to reduce mortality due to stroke.