Risk factors for ischemic stroke in the elderly in Morocco – a case-control study

Hafid Arzoug
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Chouaf Loubna
Baba Med Amine
Amsdar Lahoucine
Nawal Adali
NICE research team Neuroscience Innovation Cognition and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
REGNE Research Laboratory “Rein Endocrinology Gastroenterology Neurosciences and Ethics”; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
NICE research team Neuroscience Innovation Cognition and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Biotechnology and Medicine Laboratory, National School of Applied Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
NICE research team Neuroscience Innovation Cognition and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Agadir, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Received: 8 November 2024 / Revised: 16 January 2025 / Accepted: 7 February 2025 / Published: 30 June 2025

Abstract

Introduction and aim. Ischemic strokes occur most frequently in the elderly (more than 80%). This study aimed to determine the risk factors for ischemic stroke in elderly subjects in the Souss Massa region of southern Morocco.


Material and methods. Two hundred and thirteen cases and four hundred and thirty-two controls of the same age (76.51±2 years vs. 73.90±2 years) and sex were collected. Cases were selected from patients with ischemic stroke hospitalized in the neurology department of the regional hospital Souss Massa. All risk factors have been documented from interviews and review of patient medical records.


Results. Multivariate regression analysis showed that low-income families (odds ratios [OR]=4.19, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 2.886–6.09, p<0.001), residence area (urban OR=9.408, 95% CI 4.7133–18.778, p<0.001), high blood pressure (OR=62.984, 95% CI 26.7374–148.367, p<0.001), diabetes (OR=18.138, 95% CI 5.2320–62.880, p<0.001), are risk factors for ischemic stroke. On the contrary, health insurance (OR=0.295, 95% CI 0.1513–0.577, p<0.001) and marital status (in couple OR=0.448, 95% CI 0.284–0.708, p<0.001) are protective factors.


Conclusion. In addition to traditional risk factors of ischemic strokes such as high blood pressure and diabetes, low-income family as well as lack of health insurance and marital status (living with a partner) require particular attention. Integrating these new factors into public health strategies could significantly reduce the risk of stroke in the elderly.

 

Cite 

Arzoug H, Loubna C, Amine BM, Lahoucine A, Adali N. Risk factors for ischemic stroke in the elderly in Morocco – a case-control study. Eur J Clin Exp Med. 2025;23(2):401–407. doi: 10.15584/ejcem.2025.2.19.

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