The association of obesity and cerebrovascular disease in young adults--a pilot study.

Obesity has been recognized as an isolated risk factor for stroke. In obese patients, other risk factors for stroke such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease and obstructive sleep apnea are more frequently present. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of obesity among other risk factors for stroke in younger adult patients with ischemic stroke. It was a pilot study performed in ischemic stroke patients aged 18-55. In addition to the routine diagnostic work-up, body height, weight and waist circumference were measured in study patients. The study included 50 patients, 23 female and 27 male. The mean age of male patients was 39.8 +/- 10.5 and of female patients 41.6 +/- 7.7 years. In control group The mean waist circumference was 94.9 +/- 5.8 cm in the control group and 102.6 +/- 9.8 cm in the male stroke group. There was no significant difference in waist circumference between the control and patient female groups and in body mass index among all groups. In younger males, waist circumference could be considered as an important risk factor for stroke.