engleski

Incidence of risk factors for cerebrovascular disease in urban and rural population

In developed countries, there is a tendency of decrease in the incidence of stroke, primarily due to the detection and prevention of stroke risk factors, In Croatia, no such decrease has been observed, and there is a need to identify risk factors tor stroke to be able to prevent them. The aim of the study was to identify the risk factors for stroke in the rural and urban population of Croatia. The presence of the following risk factors was recorded: hypertension, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, diabetes, age, sex, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, physical inactivity, previous cerebrovascular disease, and family history. The structured questionnaire on stroke risk factors was filled-out and a battery of tests on stressful lifestyle were performed by 1, 175 subjects. Study subjects were divided into four groups according to their living setting (urban or rural). The SPSS software was used for analysis. Study results showed cigarette smoking and diabetes to be the most prominent risk factors in the urban and suburban population, whereas hypertension, obesity and alcohol consumption were more common in the rural population. Responses to stressful lifestyle, which was by far more commonly present in the urban than in the rural population, included cigarette smoking, concentration problems, and thinking about the problems encountered at work while off duty. In conclusion, the study revealed differences in the incidence of stroke risk factors between the urban and rural population that should be addressed directly. The subjects with two or more stroke risk factors have been continuously followed-up by regular clinical check-ups, and all data are stored in the Neuronet stroke registry.

risk factors

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