Risk of stroke in Iraqi divers

الملخص EN

Background : the risk factors of stroke among young adults are more diverse than in the elderly people.

There is limited information about determinants and risk prediction of stroke in young adult Iraqi divers.

Objectives : to assess the prevalence of risk factors and 10-year predicted risk of stroke in Iraqi divers.

Methods : A cross-sectional study was done in 2002 on 106 divers (aged 20-42 years) from the Iraqi Navy, they were interviewed and physically examined, weight and height were measured, blood analysis for lipids and fasting blood sugar was performed.

Risk prediction was measured according to a computer program.

Results : the most common non-lipid risk factors were: smoking, it was prevalent in 46 (43.4 %), high systolic blood pressure in 28 (26.4 %), fatty diet consumption in 25 (23.6 %), obesity in 16 (15.1 %), and high diastolic blood pressure in 15 (14.2 %).

None of the studied individuals was diabetic.

Regarding the prevalence of lipid risk factors ; Low serum level of Apo lipoprotein-A was prevalent in 56 (52.8 %), high serum level of Apo lipoprotein-B in 15 (14.2 %) ; hypercholesterolemia in 14 (13.2 %), high serum level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol in 14 (13.2 %), while the least prevalent was high serum Triglycerides level in 10 (9.4 %).

The 10-year risk of stroke was low (1.047 ± 0.575 %), but this risk was significantly related to age.

It increased significantly with increasing age.

Conclusions : high prevalence of some risk factors of stroke was noticed in such young active people which necessitates the initiation of health educational program including not only divers but also all young adults or even earlier.