Sex Differences in Acute Stroke Patients;Clinical Features, Stroke Subtypes, and Sasang Constitutions

Objectives : This study investigated stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in both sexes. Methods : 307 patients with acute stroke within 14 days onset were included, who were admitted to Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from October 2005 to May 2007. Stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, risk factors for stroke, stroke complications and Sasang constitutions in both sexes were examined. Results : Mean age was higher among women than men (64.82${\pm}$10.21 years versus 62.18${\pm}$11.52 years for the 137 female and 170 male patients, respectively, p=0.037). There were no significant differences in stroke type, ischemic stroke subtypes, or stroke risk factors except smoking and Sasang constitutions. Current smoking was more frequent in male patients (p<0.001). Stroke complications, especially urinary tract infection (UTI), were significantly more common in women (p=0.002). Conclusion : Sex does not seem to influence stroke types, ischemic stroke subtypes, or stroke risk factors except current smoking and Sasang constitutions. UTI should be taken into consideration to manage female stroke patients. Smoking cessation is indicated to prevent stroke in men.