Time to Onset of Stroke and Predictor Factors among Cardiovascular Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: A stroke occurs when there is a sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain that gives oxygen to brain cells. Considering the lack of research in this study topic this study fills the knowledge gap by assessing predictor variables that increase the time to onset of stroke development among cardiovascular patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the time to onset of stroke and identify predictors among cardiovascular patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method and Materials: Institiution based retrospective cohort study was conducted from January, 1, 2019 to December 30, 2023 on 471 cardiovascular patients. The study institutons were selected purposevilley and simple random sampling techniques was used to reach each stydy units. The data entered into Epi-data version 4.1 and exported to STATA version 14.0 for further analysis and interpretation. The incidence of stroke was found to be predicted by Cox proportional hazards regression model with a P-value of less than 0.05 and 95% CI. Results:From 471 medical records 94.27% met the enrollment criteria and the overall incidence rate of stroke among cardiovascular patients were 9.1 per 1000 person month. The independent predictor factors associated with stroke were type of cardiovascular disease of Hypertension 3.0, 95%CI (1.78-5.07), type of cardiovascular disease of atrial fibrillation 2.8, 95%CI (1.76-4.47), comorbid disease of HIV 2.24, 95%CI (1.45-3.48), comorbid disease of pancytopenia 1.98, 95%CI (1.25-3.14), DBP>100mmgh 2.92, 95%CI (1.55-5.51), EF<40% 3.34, 95%CI (1.26 8.88), and HDL < 40mg/dl 4.12, 95%CI (2.0-8.49). Conclusion: According to this study, stroke occurred frequently in patients with cardiovascular disease. In order to reduce the incidence of stroke and the associated morbidity and mortality, this study recommends performing stroke screening in cardiovascular patients during their follow-up period and identifying its predictor factors. Key words: Addis Ababa, Cardiovascular patients, Comorbid disease, Time to onset of stroke