Identification of the Seasonal Variations and Types of Stroke Occurrence

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is the third most prevalent reason of mortality in Bangladesh and one of the main causes of chronic illness globally. There is ongoing debate on the effect of seasonal differences on stroke incidence. This study aimed to identify the seasonal variations and types of stroke occurrence. Method: Cross-sectional research was carried out with 1051 stroke victims at the Neurology & Medicine Department Unit of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka. Secondary data were used in this study and this secondary data was collected from medical records of the Neurology & Medicine unit of Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College’s admission book dated from April 2023 to March 2024. From admission books, the diagnoses of intracerebral hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and subarachnoid hemorrhage were verified. One of the following six seasons was associated with the start time: Summer (mid-April to mid-June), Rainy Season (mid-June to mid-August), Autumn (mid-August to mid-October), Late Autumn (mid-October to mid-December), Winter (mid-December to mid-February), and Spring (mid-February to mid-April). Microsoft Office Excel 2013 and SPSS Version 22 were used for statistical analysis. Results: In summer 31.9% of patients, in winter 20.3% of patients, in rainy (18.1%), in late autumn (15.2%), in autumn (10.1%), and in spring (4.5%) were presented. The overall frequency of ischemic stroke (86.4%), intracerebral hemorrhage (12.7%), and subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke (1%). The incidence of stroke during summer was significantly greater than that of other seasons. The frequency of intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke during late autumn (3.6%) & winter (3.4%) was greater than that of other seasons. Strokes were more prevalent in males than in females (80.3% vs. 19.7%). The age group of 61 years and older had the greatest rate (41%) of strokes among both males and females. Conclusions: In comparison to other seasons, the summer had a noticeably greater frequency of ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhagic stroke. In late fall and winter, there was a higher incidence of intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke compared to prior seasons. Keywords: Stroke Occurrence, Stroke Types, Seasonal Variation, Ischemic Stroke, Hemorrhagic Stroke