[Epidemiology of stroke in Guadeloupe and role of sickle cell trait].

Sickle cell disease (homozygotes SS) is known as a risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, but heterozygotes AS seem to be spared. We carried out a retrospective study to assess the main risk factors and the influence of hemoglobin abnormalities on stroke in Guadeloupe. The percentages of AS, AC, and AA on 295 patients admitted for stroke were compared to the prevalence obtained on 72,000 newborn babies. Ischemic, hemorrhagic stroke and stroke complications represented respectively 83 p. 100, 10 p. 100 and 7 p. 100. Seventy one per 100 of patients had hypertension and 19 p. 100 had an association of diabetes and hypertension. The percentage of heterozygotes AS was significantly lower in the group with ischemic stroke (4 p. 100) in comparison with controls (8.5 p. 100), while AS were more represented in hemorrhagic stroke (16 p. 100). The risk of hemorrhagic stroke was 10 fold higher in AS patients admitted for stroke and the risk of ischemic stroke was reduced by 15 fold. These data suggest that the sickle cell trait could be associated to red cell and/or endothelial specificities which could prevent for ischemic stroke. The influence of AS heterozygote on the occurrence of stroke needs to be examined in a longitudinal, prospective study.