First ischemic stroke in young adults: Sex and age-related differences in stroke rates, risk factors, and etiologies.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Sex differences in stroke incidence, vascular risk factors (VRFs), and etiologies among young adults remain underexplored, particularly regarding age-related patterns.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analyzed young adults (18-55 years) with first-ever ischemic stroke treated at certified acute stroke units/centers between 2014 and 2022, using Swiss Stroke Registry data. Stroke rates (per 100,000 person-years), VRFs, and etiologies were assessed by age and sex.

Results

Among 3,995 stroke patients, stroke rates were similar between sexes until age 35, after which men showed a more pronounced exponential increase. This rise was particularly notable in patients with elevated BMI and ⩾2 VRFs. The proportion of patients with ⩾2 VRFs rose with age (18-35

SUBMITTER: Schneider TR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11803591 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature