Original
Short-Term Outcome of Ischemic Stroke Patients with and without Atrial Fibrillation
*Sarkar BK,1 Moontaha H,2 Iqbal MH,3 Paul MR4
- *Dr. Bikash Kumar Sarkar, Junior Consultant (Medicine), Infectious Disease Hospital, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh. drbikashrmc@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5832-053X
- Dr. Hashiba Moontaha, Assistant Professor and Resident Surgeon, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6133-7064
- Dr. Md. Hasan Iqbal, Assistant Registrar, Department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Dhaka, Bangladesh. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1186-9956
- Dr Mira Rani Paul, Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Dental Public Health, Rajshahi Medical College, Rajshahi, Bangladesh. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7980-1165
*For correspondence
Abstract
Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a significant risk factor for ischemic stroke, associated with increased stroke severity and poorer outcomes. However, limited data exist from developing countries regarding the impact of AF on stroke outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the short-term outcomes of ischemic stroke patients with and without atrial fibrillation in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh.
Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital over six months, enrolling 60 ischemic stroke patients (30 with AF, 30 without AF). Outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at one- and three months post-stroke. Data analysis included chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariable logistic regression.
Results: AF-associated strokes occurred more frequently in females (53.33% vs 26.67%, p=0.035) and showed significantly higher mRS scores at one month (3.60 vs 1.73, p=0.001) and three months (3.47 vs 1.40, p=0.001). Three-month mortality was significantly higher in the AF group (46.7% vs 12.3%, p=0.005). After adjustment for confounders, AF was associated with significantly higher odds of poor functional outcome at one month (AOR: 5.49, 95% CI: 1.4-21.20).
Conclusion: Ischemic stroke patients with AF experience significantly worse short-term outcomes compared to those without AF. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced AF screening and prevention strategies in Bangladesh, particularly among high-risk populations.
[Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Med Col J 2026, July; 11 (2):212-219]
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.69699/ssnimcj.2026.11.2.14