A Cross-Sectional Study of Frequency of Dyslipidemia in Stroke Patients at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of dyslipidemia and its associations with stroke type and other risk factors in patients at a tertiary care hospital.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Neurology at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July 2024 to November 2024.
Methods: The study included 95 consecutive patients with CT-confirmed stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic). A predefined form was used to collect information on demographics, stroke subtype, vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, smoking), and fasting lipid profiles. Dyslipidemia was defined as any of the following: TC ≥200 mg/dL, TG ≥150 mg/dL, LDL ≥130 mg/dL, or HDL <40 mg/dL. Data was analyzed using SPSS, with means±SD and proportions, and group comparisons used t-tests and Chi-Square tests
Results: The average age was 59.4±12.8 years (range 25-75), with 60.0% being male. Overall, dyslipidemia was present in 57 out of 95 patients (60.0%). Dyslipidemia was more common in ischemic stroke (40/60, 66.7%) than hemorrhagic stroke (17/35, 48.6%), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ²=3.02, P=0.08). The prevalence of dyslipidemia increased with age (40% in ≤45 years vs. 68% in >65 years; χ²=5.66, P=0.02). Patients with diabetes (75% vs. 54%) or hypertension (68% vs. 41%) had significantly higher dyslipidemia rates (P≤0.05). The dyslipidemia group had significantly higher mean lipid levels (TG 198±72 vs. 132±45 mg/dL, LDL
145±32 vs. 105±28 mg/dL, P<0.001).
Conclusion: More than half of stroke patients had dyslipidemia, particularly those with ischemic stroke and comorbid diabetes or hypertension. These findings are comparable to other reports, such as ~56-70% dyslipidemia in stroke patients. Routine lipid screening and management should be emphasized in stroke care to address this common modifiable risk factor.

How to cite this: Ejaz Z, Mahmud MR, Asim M, Khan N, GulzarH.A Cross-Sectional Study of Frequency of Dyslipidemia in Stroke Patients
at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi. Life and Science. 2026; 7(1): 99-105. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.1097