Sex difference in types and distribution of risk factors in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Background Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and is associated with several risk factors with variable risk factor distribution by population. We report the types and frequency of the associated factors of stroke in north Iran. Methods Consecutive patients with stroke were recruited from 2014 to 2015. The two groups of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke were compared with respect to age, sex, the prevalence, and distribution of the risk factors. Results Among 230 patients (84.3% ischemic stroke) with mean age of 61.2 years, hypertension (73%), diabetes mellitus (53%), cardiovascular disease (51%), and dyslipidemia (47%) were the most frequent risk factors. Hypertension was significantly more prevalent in males compared with females (88% vs. 60%, OR = 4.91, 95% CI: 2.48-9.71). Hypertension, smoking, and opioid consumption were associated with hemorrhagic stroke. Dyslipidemia was significantly higher in ischemic stroke (OR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.21-5.8). Overall, 84.3% of stroke occurred in patients aged >50 years (92.8% of women vs. 74.5% of the men, OR = 4.43, 95% CI: 1.93-10.16, p = 0.001). Conclusion Stroke was more prevalent in females; hypertension was more prevalent in males. In the age group less than 50 years old, stroke is more prevalent in men.

Comparison of the efficacy of prednisolone versus prednisolone and acyclovir in the treatment of Bell`s palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 2 regimens of prednisolone versus prednisolone and acyclovir in the treatment of Bell`s palsy. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 496 Bell`s palsy patients attending Yahyanejad Hospital, Babol, Iran from 1995 to 2004, divided in 2 groups. The first group was treated with regimen one (oral prednisolone), and the second group was treated with regimen 2 (oral prednisolone plus oral acyclovir) for 2 weeks. All cases were followed for 6 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-eight cases (108 males, 140 females) were treated with regimen one, and 248 cases (113 males, 135 females), were treated with regimen 2. Both groups had a mean age of 20-39 years. At the end of therapy, the recovery rate with regimen 2 was 95.6% (237 patients), whereas regimen one showed a recovery rate of 91.2% (226 patients) (p=0.047). CONCLUSION: This study showed acyclovir plus prednisolone to be more effective than prednisolone alone in the treatment of Bell`s palsy.