Comparison of levels of serum LDL-cholesterol in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients

Objective: To compare the lipid profile, specifically LDL levels, in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients presenting at Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Neurology department of Military hospital, Rawalpindi from January to March 2021 and included 100 patients with acute stroke. Any patient with head injury or on lipid lowering therapy was excluded from study. Definitive diagnosis was made after thorough examination and CT scan of brain. Samples of serum were taken after 8 hours of overnight fasting following admission and were analyzed using enzymatic colorimetric method for lipid profile. SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among 100 patients, 69 were male and 31 females. Age ranged from 38 to 90 years (mean 66.4 +/- 11). Among study participants, 62 patients had ischemic stroke where as 38 patients were categorized as hemorrhagic stroke. Majority of study participants had hypertension and diabetes mellitus as risk factors. Out of 62 patients with ischemic stroke, 17 patients had increased total cholesterol levels in the serum with the mean being 4.5 +/- 1.2 mmol/L. Conclusion: Significant association was found between total cholesterol, LDL, Triglycerides levels and stroke. Lipid abnormalities occurred in higher frequency in patients of ischemic stroke as compared to those with hemorrhagic stroke.