Ludhiana City Stroke Registry

Ludhiana, 18th April, 2013:(Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria):The department of neurology at Christian Medical College is conducting a “Population based stroke registry survey” sponsored by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The epidemiology of stroke is well studied in the developed world. However, stroke in the developing world is less well studied. There is evidence that stroke incidence rates in developing countries have increased by more than 100% during the last four decades. Hence the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) initiated this unique National Task Force Project in Ludhiana since August 2010.

A stroke, also called ‘brain attack’ occurs when the vessels supplying blood to the brain is blocked. This results in the death of the brain cells. Depending on the area of the brain involved and the extent of brain cell death, the specific body functions such as speech, movement or memory may be affected. A stroke may be ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke: This is caused when a clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain shutting off the blood flow. Hemorrhagic stroke: This is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain.

The findings of the stroke registry has brought Ludhiana in the middle of the stroke storm hitting the world. The annual incidence of stroke in the city during the year 2011-12 is 162.3/100,000 lakh , which is the highest in the country. The number of first ever stroke patients identified till now in Ludhiana are 6840 with residents in the age group 18-45 being 20%. Hypertension was the most common risk factor followed by intake of desi ghee, diabetes and alcohol consumption. This suggests that the city has entered the “health transition” which includes the rapid socioeconomic growth, changes in lifestyle, stress and diet which increases the risk of stroke among the city residents.

All the major city health facilities are contributing in this registry but some patients are likely to have sought treatment outside the city due to any reason. To further improve the quality of data the Department of Neurology, CMC will offer free check-up to stroke patients who had received treatment outside the city of Ludhiana from August 2010 till March 2013. Please contact the undersigned for further details: Dr.Jeyaraj Pandian at 9915784750;  Dr.Shweta Jain:9855334242