Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-6-2026
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Young-onset stroke represents a growing public health concern, yet data from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) remain limited. This study aimed to examine the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with young-onset stroke in the UAE.
METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 419 patients aged below 50 years who were admitted at Al Qassimi Hospital, Sharjah, UAE, with a diagnosis of stroke between 2016 and 2022. Data on demographics, comorbidities, stroke subtype, management, and outcomes were collected and analyzed using Python-based statistical libraries.
RESULTS: The study population comprised predominantly of male individuals (78.28%), with most patients originating from South Asia (63.96%) and the Middle East and North Africa region (19.33%). Ischemic stroke was the most common subtype (50.12%), followed by intracerebral hemorrhage (27.21%) and non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (22.67%). Hypertension (45.45%) and diabetes mellitus (24.42%) were the most prevalent comorbidities. Only 0.24% of patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy, and 9.41% received intravenous thrombolysis. The overall mortality rate was 12.68%, with coronary artery disease significantly associated with death (p < 0.001). South Asian patients were 2.19 times more likely to have large-artery atherosclerosis compared to non-South Asians (95% CI: 1.11-4.30, p = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS: Young-onset stroke in the UAE is characterized by a high burden of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Targeted preventive strategies and region-specific research are essential to reduce disease burden and improve patient outcomes.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Siddiq, Sobia; Adra, Saryia; Samara, Kamel A.; Aldaher, Batool; Mahfouz, Mohamad Emad Aldeen; Sakan, Nour; Musfira, Fathima; Assadi, Roomiyah Riyaz; Almarzooqi, Ahlam Mohamed; Barqawi, Hiba Jawdat; and Abu-Gharbieh, Eman, "Young-Onset Stroke in the UAE: A Single-Centre Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors and Outcomes" (2026). Abington Jefferson Health Papers. Paper 148.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/abingtonfp/148
PubMed ID
42560947
Language
English
Comments
This article is the author’s final published version in PloS one, Volume 21, Issue 8, 2026, Article number e0355300.
The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0355300. Copyright © 2026 Siddiq et al.