Gender-related differences in diagnostic evaluation and outcome of ischemic stroke in Poland.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We compared the diagnostic evaluation and outcome of ischemic stroke between men and women in large cohort of Polish patients. METHODS Our study included 1488 consecutive patients (755 women and 733 men) with ischemic stroke, treated in a single stroke unit between January 2002 and August 2007. We analyzed demographic factors, major risk factors for stroke, severity of neurological deficit on admission, diagnostic work-up performed during the hospital stay, and outcome on discharge. RESULTS Women were older than men (70.9+/-13.7 vs 66.2+/-12.7 years; P<0.001) and had greater neurological deficit on admission (median NIHSS score: 7 [3-13] vs 5 [3-10]; P<0.001). They were also less likely to obtain good recovery on discharge (39.2% vs 49.9%; P<0.001). Carotid ultrasound and echocardiography were performed more often in men (77.2% vs 68.7% and 52.4% vs 46.5%, respectively; P<0.05). Lesser neurological deficit on admission, younger age, and lack of history of myocardial infarction or previous stroke, but not gender, were independent predictors of full diagnostic work-up. CONCLUSIONS Gender does not influence the adequate diagnostic evaluation of ischemic stroke as an independent factor.