Obesity and the Risk of Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults

Objectives: We examined the association between obesity and early-onset cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS) and whether fat distribution or sex altered this association. Materials and Methods: This prospective, multi-center, case-control study included 345 patients, aged 18-49 years, with first-ever, acute CIS. The control group included 345 age-and sex-matched stroke-free individuals. We measured height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference. Obesity metrics analyzed included body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-stature ratio (WSR), and a body shape index (ABSI). Models were adjusted for age, level of education, vascular risk factors, and migraine with aura. Results: After adjusting for demographics, vascular risk factors, and migraine with aura, the highest tertile of WHR was associated with CIS (OR for highest versus lowest WHR tertile 2.81, 95%CI 1.43-5.51; P=0.003). In sex-specific analyses, WHR tertiles were not associated with CIS. However, using WHO WHR cutoff values (>0.85 for women, >0.90 for men), abdominally obese women were at increased risk of CIS (OR 2.09, 95%CI 1.02-4.27; P=0.045). After adjusting for confounders, WC, BMI, WSR, or ABSI were not associated with CIS. Conclusions: Abdominal obesity measured with WHR was an independent risk factor for CIS in young adults after rigorous adjustment for concomitant risk factors.Peer reviewe

Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults initiative-the GOAL initiative : study protocol and rationale of a multicentre retrospective individual patient data meta-analysis

Introduction Worldwide, 2 million patients aged 18-50 years suffer a stroke each year, and this number is increasing. Knowledge about global distribution of risk factors and aetiologies, and information about prognosis and optimal secondary prevention in young stroke patients are limited. This limits evidence-based treatment and hampers the provision of appropriate information regarding the causes of stroke, risk factors and prognosis of young stroke patients. Methods and analysis The Global Outcome Assessment Life-long after stroke in young adults (GOAL) initiative aims to perform a global individual patient data meta-analysis with existing data from young stroke cohorts worldwide. All patients aged 18-50 years with ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage will be included. Outcomes will be the distribution of stroke aetiology and (vascular) risk factors, functional outcome after stroke, risk of recurrent vascular events and death and finally the use of secondary prevention. Subgroup analyses will be made based on age, gender, aetiology, ethnicity and climate of residence.Peer reviewe

Immunotherapy Responsive Epilepsies: General Clinical Features, Commonly Detected Antibodies and Treatment Studies

The role of immunity and inflammation in epilepsy has long been considered and in recent years, discovery of some antibodies against to various neuronal antigens especially in cases refractory to conventional anti-epileptic drugs raised the concept of "autoimmune epilepsy". Immunotherapy may lead to significant benefits in cases with suspicion of autoimmune etiology. In this paper, epileptic pictures with a known autoimmune aspect as well as those pictures with recent increased awareness due to the discovery of neuronal auto-antibodies responding to immunotherapies and their management options are summarized

CLINICAL FEATURES OF CANCER ASSOCIATED ISCHEMIC STROKE

Introduction: Cerebrovascular disease is the second most common cause of central nervous system involvement in cancer patients after metastases. Procoagulant substances secreted by tumour cells, cancer therapy, and embolus from tumour have been implicated in ischemic stroke (IS) in cancer patients

Clinical Features of Cancer Associated Ischemic Stroke

Introduction: Cerebrovascular disease is the second most common cause of central nervous system involvement in cancer patients after metastases. Procoagulant substances secreted by tumour cells, cancer therapy, and embolus from tumour have been implicated in ischemic stroke (IS) in cancer patients