Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]

Background Stroke survivors, especially working-age adults, face an increased risk of recurrent stroke within one to five years after the initial occurrence, primarily due to suboptimal risk factor management. This study aims to investigate the contributing factors associated with the risk of recurrent stroke in this demographic. Methods This case-control study matched participants with recurrent stroke to those without recurrent stroke by age and gender. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to identify significant factors associated with recurrent stroke. The study included 100 patients with recurrent stroke and 200 control participants recruited from the hospital database. Results Significant factors associated with recurrent stroke were gender (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.29), high fasting blood sugar (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.29), drinking status (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 3.01 to 6.54), sedentary lifestyle (OR, 2.77; 95% CI, 1.50 to 5.13), and lack of workplace support for health (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.63). The association of female gender, marital status, smoking status, sedentary lifestyle, interpersonal relationships at the workplace, and workplace support for health with recurrent stroke differed by age group. Conclusions This study highlights the importance of addressing lifestyle-related and occupational factors to reduce recurrent stroke risk among working-age adults. Tailoring age-specific stroke prevention strategies, promoting healthier lifestyles, and implementing evidence-based interventions can lead to improved stroke outcomes and enhance the quality of life for this vulnerable population.