Background & Aim : Stroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurological damage, complications, and disability, This study aims to review the profile of stroke in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia and to detect predictors of Permanent Vegetative State after stroke.
Methods : We included patients diagnosed as having Cerebro Vascular stroke admitted to King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Buraida, Saudi Arabia during the period between 1/l2/2012 to 1/2/2013 and Patients with Permanent Vegetative State with long stay inside the hospital.
Results : 81 patients were included, their ages ranged from 20-94 years (61.75±17.20). 45 males(55.6%) and 36 females (44.4%). 57 (70.4%) of patients had cerebral infarction, 20 (24.7%) had hemorrhagic strokes and 4 patients (4.9%) venous sinus thrombosis. Hypertension and Diabetes were the commonest risk factors. 15 patients fulfilled the criteria of Permanent Vegetative State. There was no significant difference between patients with Permanent Vegetative State and other stroke patients except in mean age of stroke onset and level of consciousness on admission.
Conclusion : Profile of stroke, its subtypes, risk factors are similar to international reports, old age and low level of consciousness at the onset were the significant predictors of Permanent Vegetative State after stroke.
Key words: Stroke, Risk factors, Permanent Vegetative state, Saudi Arabia
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