sodium-ethylxanthate and Stroke

Smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease for both men and women and a positive correlation between tobacco use and cerebrovascular disease has been also described. In addition, cigarette smoking is the most powerful risk factor predisposing to atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease. More recently, passive smoking has been also shown to represent an important risk factor for coronary artery disease. Moreover, the incidence of coronary artery and cerebrovascular diseases in ex-smokers consistently decreases after cessation, further underlying the relevance of smoking as a risk factor for these pathological conditions. The effects of cigarette smoking on atherosclerosis initiation and progression as well on its complications are mostly responsible for the enhanced cardio- and cerebrovascular risk observed in smoking compared to non-smoking subjects. Since hormonal status may also play a role in the development and stability of the atherosclerotic plaque, smoking habits could influence the clinical complications of atheroclerosis in a gender dependent manner. Up to now, however, few studies have investigated the relative importance of smoking as a risk factor for fatal and non-fatal diseases in the two sexes within the same study population. On the basis of available clinical data, this review will discuss the risk of fatal and non-fatal diseases among smoking men and women with special emphasis on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease which also represents the most common cause of death among smokers. A description of the mechanisms involved in the tobacco-induced atherosclerotic damage will be also given in order to underline possible gender-related differences.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Adult; Aged; Calcium Channel Blockers; Coronary Artery Disease; Drug Administration Schedule; Endothelium, Vascular; Estrogens; Female; Humans; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Risk; Sex; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Stroke; Tobacco Smoke Pollution

Topics: Animals; B-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Brain; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Humans; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Middle Cerebral Artery; Sex; Sex Factors; Stroke

To determine predictors of falls in stroke patients in the first 6 months after a baseline evaluation before their discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.. Prospective cohort study.. Rehabilitation hospital, then home.. Consecutive stroke patients (N=66) were followed at home after discharge from the rehabilitation hospital.. Not applicable.. Fall occurrence within 6 months after a baseline evaluation. All patients were assessed for baseline data during their inpatient rehabilitation (1.5±1.2 wk before discharge). Data regarding cerebrovascular accident (CVA) date, number of attacks, and brain imaging results were obtained; motor function and balance impairment were examined by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale. The FIM and Functional Ambulation Category were also used. Presence of urinary incontinence, drug use, fall history, postural hypotension, neglect, cognitive status, poor vision, and hearing were evaluated. Six months after the baseline evaluation, any fall occurrence was ascertained via telephone calls to the caregivers of each patient. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors.. The mean age ± SD was 64±10 years. The median time elapsed since CVA at the time of admission was 4 months. Twenty-four (36%) patients fell within the 6-month period. The fall rate was significantly higher in patients with left (47%) versus right (21%) hemispheric stroke. Left hemispheric lesion (vs right) showed a 4 times greater risk of fall within 6 months (odds ratio=4.093; 95% confidence interval, 1.082-15.482). There were no other significant differences between fallers and nonfallers with respect to the other evaluated factors.. Our results suggest that the fall risk within 6 months after a baseline evaluation is greater in patients with left hemispheric lesions versus those with right hemispheric lesions.

Topics: Accidental Falls; Age Factors; Aged; Disability Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Physical Therapy Modalities; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Rehabilitation Centers; Residence Characteristics; Risk Factors; Sex; Stroke

This study was conducted to assess the effects of stroke on sexual functioning of patients with mild or no disability and to explore the associations of clinical and psychosocial factors with post-stroke changes in sexual functions. Consecutive stable Chinese patients were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire concerning their pre- and post-stroke sexual functions and habits. Results from this cohort of 63 men and 43 women revealed a post-stroke decrease in libido, coital frequency, sexual arousal, orgasm and sexual satisfaction in 54.3%, 43.8%, 25.0% (women) to 51.6% (men), 20.0% (women) to 45.9% (men) and 28.6% of patients, respectively. Logistic regression indicated unwillingness for sex and a belief in an adverse effect of stroke on sexuality as explanatory factors for decreased sexual satisfaction. Thus, sexual dysfunctions are common in Chinese stroke patients with mild or no disability.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Asian People; Cohort Studies; Disabled Persons; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hong Kong; Humans; Libido; Male; Middle Aged; Personal Satisfaction; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Sex; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological; Stroke; Surveys and Questionnaires

Topics: Aging; Cerebrovascular Disorders; England; Heart Diseases; Humans; Mortality; Neoplasms; Sex; Stroke; Sweden; United States; Wales

Topics: Aging; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Ethnology; Geriatrics; Hospitals; Humans; Marriage; Maryland; Rehabilitation; Sex; Statistics as Topic; Stroke