Ischemic stroke in South Asians: a review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and ethnicity-related clinical features

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Within the United Kingdom, mortality from stroke is higher among South Asians compared to European whites. The reasons for this excess cerebrovascular risk in South Asians remain unclear. The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive and systematic overview of the available literature relating to ischemic stroke among South Asian populations identifying distinct features of stroke epidemiology in this group. SUMMARY OF REVIEW: A high frequency of lacunar strokes is a familiar pattern among South Asians, which suggests a greater prevalence of small-vessel disease in South Asians. This may be a consequence of abnormal metabolic and glycemic processes. In addition, stroke mortality among South Asians appears to be explained by glycemic status, which is an independent predictor of long-term stroke mortality. Within India, there is a perceptible rural-urban gradient in stroke prevalence, underlying the dangers of the rapid transition in socioeconomic circumstances seen across the Indian subcontinent. CONCLUSIONS: This review emphasizes the importance of further research into ischemic stroke for South Asians given their higher cardiovascular disease burden and necessity for targeted healthcare approaches.