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Document Type

Original Article

Abstract

Background and objective: Cerebrovascular accidents cause significant global mortality and disability. Sex-specific disparities in presentation and recovery may affect prognosis, especially in resource-limited settings like Pakistan. The objective of this study was to investigate gender-based differences in clinical profiles, comorbidities, and short-term outcomes of acute stroke patients in a tertiary care centre in Larkana, Pakistan.

Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 194 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke confirmed through CT or MRI scan. Among them, 110 (56.7%) were females and 84 (43.2%) were males, with an overall mean age of 41.5 ± 5 years (range 18–65 years). Data on demographics, comorbidities, stroke severity (NIHSS), and functional outcomes (mRS) were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Quantitative data were expressed as mean ± SD, while categorical variables were presented as percentages. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Hypertension (26.8% females vs. 30.9% males) and diabetes mellitus (22.1% females vs. 7.7% males) were the most common comorbidities. Severe stroke (NIHSS >16) was observed in 40.9% of women compared to 11.9% of men, while mild stroke (NIHSS <8) was seen in 27.2% of females and 23.8% of males. At discharge, 50% of men achieved functional independence (mRS 0–2) versus 22.7% of women. In-hospital mortality was higher among females (7.27%) than males (4.7%), and 34.5% of women had prolonged hospitalization (>7 days).

Conclusion: The study identified significant gender-based differences in stroke presentation and outcomes, with women exhibiting greater disease severity and higher mortality.

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