Cerebrovascular Disease of Young Adults in a Mississippi Teaching Hospital

Two hundred and seven consecutive inpatients aged 15 to 50 with cerebrovascular disease at the University of Mississippi Medical Center were studied and followed up for an average of two and one-half years. Most of the patients arrived in the hospital in the acute stage of their disease. There was a rising trend for the onset of strokes with age in general, but this varied for different types of cerebrovascular disease. The diagnoses are detailed by age, race, and sex, and the prognosis is given for each subgroup. Patients with cerebral thrombosis or transient ischemic attacks had the best prognosis in this age group and thus are ideal candidates for rehabilitation and detailed study. The incidence of hypertension, concomitant major illnesses and laboratory abnormalities is given for each subgroup. The prognosis of patients in each subgroup is related to their initial motor deficit and level of consciousness.