Ethnic Differences in Ischemic Stroke of Working Age in Northern Israel

Background: There are currently no comparative data about ethnic differences in ischemic stroke in Arab and Jewish populations. Methods: Data on 727 consecutive Arab and Jewish patients of working age (<= 65 years) with stroke were compared for risk profile, etiology, subtyping, and immediate functional outcome. Results: The mean age was 59.4 +/- 8.2 years for the Jewish and 53.7 +/- 8.6 years for the Arab patients (P = .03). Higher prevalence of diabetes was found in the Arab patients after adjustment by age, sex, and main vascular risk factors (P < .0001). After adjustment, a higher prevalence of normal transesophageal echocardiography results in the Arab population was found. Small vessel disease related strokes were significantly more frequent in the Arab patients, whereas large vessel disease related strokes and strokes resulting from multiple causes were significantly more frequent in the Jewish patients. No correlations were found between the high prevalence of diabetes (or any other examined factor) and the predominance of small vessel disease related strokes in the Arab patients and large vessel disease related strokes in the Jewish patients. There was no difference found in treatment or outcome between the Arab and the Jewish patients. Conclusions: There are substantial differences in the risk profiles and subtyping of strokes between Arab and Jewish patients of working age.