Influence of risk factors on onset of hyperlipidemia in patients with cerebrovascular insult

Abstract

Cerebrovascular insult (CVI) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with significant influence of lifestyle on its development. The aim of this study was to investigate the different risk factors and their impact on hyperlipidaemia in two ethnic group patients who were hospitalised after CVI during 2 years. A total of 230 patients, 35 to 65 years old, with the ischemic CVI who had been in-patiently treated at the Clinical Center Priština, were included in our study. The patients were shared into two groups: Group A (n = 130) - muslim patients, and Group S (n = 100) - ortodox patients. Their antropometric and serum lipid parameters were measured and nutritional habits were assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The patients from both groups were classified as adipose, with BMI in males around 33, and in females 28 to 30. Percentage of body fat was also high in both groups, especially in women (p lt 0.001), with no significant difference between Groups A and S. Physical activity was very low in both of the studied groups. In Group A, 86.92% of patients with CVI were physically inactive, while in the Group S it was 92% (p lt 0.001). Number of smokers was rather high in both groups, particularly in Group S (89%) and more than half (53%) had been smoking for more than 10 years. Almost all smokers consumed more than 20 cigarettes per day (83%). In Group A, there was 35% of non smokers (p lt 0.001). The average diastolic blood pressure value in the Groups A and S was 97.97±4.75 mmHg vs. 100.82±6.71 mmHg, respectively; while systolic pressure was 174.27±3.18 mmHg in Group A and 183.73±11.39 mmHg in Group S. In spite of their different life styles, in both groups, studied risk factors were proved to have significant influence on onset of hyperlipidemia. The Group S of patients whose diet was predominantly based on animal fats had significantly higher risk in comparison to the group whose diet was based on vegetable fats. Smoking habits and physical inactivity were widely present in both groups. Our results suggest the need for target nutrition messages and behavioural interventions in developing prevention strategies for reduction of cerebrovascular risk factors. .