Prevalence and determinants of stroke among older adults in India: Results of a national community-dwelling survey in 2017-2018

Abstract

In this study we aimed to estimate the prevalence and determinants of stroke among older adults in India. The cross-sectional sample consisted of 52,393 individuals (≥50 years) from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI) Wave 1 in 2017-2018. Stroke was assessed by self-reported health care provider diagnosis of stroke. Results indicate that the overall prevalence of stroke was 2.2%, 1.6% among women and 2.9% among men. In adjusted logistic regression analysis, factors positively associated with stroke were older age (≥80 years) (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 1.66, Confidence Interval-CI: 1.12-2.48), male sex (AOR: 1.70, CI: 1.34-2.15), food insecurity (AOR: 1.47, CI: 1.09-1.98), physical inactivity (AOR: 1.81, CI: 1.47-2.24), hypertension (AOR: 2.12, CI: 1.70-2.65), and diabetes (AOR: 2.02, CI: 1.57-2.62). Factors negatively associated with stroke were high spirituality or religiosity (AOR: 0.71, CI: 0.56-0.90), moderate social network (AOR: 0.75, CI: 0.59-0.96), and underweight (AOR: 0.72, CI: 0.53-0.98). More than one in 50 older adults in India had a history of stroke and several associated factors were identified.