Diabetes and stroke. Epidemiology and pathophysiology

Stroke is the second most frequent cause of death worldwide and the most frequent cause of permanent disability. Patients with diabetes have a 1.5-3 times higher risk of stroke compared with the general population. Cerebrovascular disease causes 20 % of deaths in diabetic patients. Interestingly, there are some striking differences of stroke patterns between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects who suffer a stroke. Even more important is the fact that diabetes dramatically increases the risk of stroke in younger subjects and women. These data highlight the need for detection and treatment of diabetes particularly in these patient groups. This article reviews epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects of stroke and diabetes.     «

Stroke is the second most frequent cause of death worldwide and the most frequent cause of permanent disability. Patients with diabetes have a 1.5-3 times higher risk of stroke compared with the general population. Cerebrovascular disease causes 20 % of deaths in diabetic patients. Interestingly, there are some striking differences of stroke patterns between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects who suffer a stroke. Even more important is the fact that diabetes dramatically increases the risk of st...     »