Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, especially in low-income and middle-income countries and it impacts a tremendous medical, emotional and fiscal burden on society. Due to advances in Western healthcare, the prevalence of stroke since 1970 has decreased by 42%, whereas it has more than doubled in low-income to middle-income countries.
Stroke is a heterogeneous, multifactorial disease regulated by modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. Approximately 80% of stroke events could be prevented by making simple lifestyle modifications. In fact, nationwide characterization of well-known stroke factors in all social backgrounds is essential, however; populations can differ significantly not only in their socio-behavioral, legal, and geographical conditions, but also from other, historically understudied. Therefore, it is crucial to determine characterization of risk factors for ischemic stroke among Mongolian population. Objective: To determine etiology and risk factors for ischemic stroke among Mongolian population Material and methods: Our study was conducted by case-control study design. Cases were patients with acute first stroke; controls were matched with cases, recruited in a 1.2:1 ratio, for age and sex. The case series study was conducted in Stroke center of Third State Central hospital from January 2017 to December 2017. Structured questionnaires were administered and physical examinations were done in the same manner in cases and controls. Self-reported history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus or blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg and blood sugar 6.4 mmol/L or higher was used to hypertension and diabetes mellitus, respectively. Smoking status was defined as never, former, or current smoker. Alcohol use was categorized into never or former, low intake, moderate intake, and high or episodic heavy intake. Atrial fibrillation was based on previous history, review of baseline electrocardiograph results (for cases and controls). Odds ratios (OR) and logistic regression were calculated, with 95% confidence intervals. Results: In total, 173 patients with ischemic stroke and 146 controls were included. The patients’ age ranged from 17 to 92, the mean age was 61.2. Ischemic stroke more frequent in man than women by 27.4%. Previous history of hypertension or blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher (OR 2.40, 95% CI 1.48-3.88), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.08, 95% CI 1.44-6.57), hyperlipidemia (OR 5.09, 95% CI 2.64-9.82) atrial fibrillation (OR 8.70, 95% CI 2.01-37.64 ), current smoking (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.26-3.40), alcohol consumption (OR 4.75, 95% CI 2.58-8.73) were all significantly associated with ischemic stroke. The mean age was lower in patients with stroke of other determined etiology. The frequency of hypertension was higher in patients with lacunar infarct than other subtypes. Smoking was high frequent in patients with large artery atherosclerosis. Conclusion 6 potentially modifiable risk factors were collectively associated with ischemic stroke and were different among ischemic stroke subtypes. The odds ratios of these risk factors are higher than other countries’ study.