Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand

Yupha Wongrostrai; Araya Chiangkhong; Charin Suwanwong; Anon Khunakorncharatphong

doi:10.12688/f1000research.154968.1

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Research Article

Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand

[version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]

Yupha Wongrostrai¹, Araya Chiangkhong ¹, Charin Suwanwong², Anon Khunakorncharatphong³

PUBLISHED 29 Nov 2024

Author details Author details

¹ Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand
² Behavioral Science Research Institute, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand
³ Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

Yupha Wongrostrai
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Funding Acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project Administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Araya Chiangkhong
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Funding Acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project Administration, Resources, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Charin Suwanwong
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Anon Khunakorncharatphong
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Software, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

OPEN PEER REVIEW

REVIEWER STATUS

This article is included in the Sociology of Health gateway.

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Recurrent stroke, Working-age, Adult, Urban, Thailand

Corresponding author: Araya Chiangkhong

Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Grant information: This research was financially supported by Navamindradhiraj University Research Fund-RESEARCH.NMU 62/2564.
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Copyright: © 2024 Wongrostrai Y et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

How to cite: Wongrostrai Y, Chiangkhong A, Suwanwong C and Khunakorncharatphong A. Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2024, 13:1445 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.1) First published: 29 Nov 2024, 13:1445 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.1) Latest published: 05 Jun 2025, 13:1445 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.3)

Introduction

Stroke poses a significant global public health challenge, ranking as the second leading cause of death and a substantial contributor to disability.¹ Urban centers, such as Bangkok, have witnessed a surge in stroke cases attributed to shifts in socioeconomic factors and the environment.^2,3 Thailand’s urban areas, significantly affected, have undergone lifestyle transformations due to the transition from agrarian to urban-centric living.^4,5 Bangkok, as a prominent example, exemplifies the urban challenges associated with strokes amid rapid urbanization. This urbanization presents both health benefits, like improved medical access, and risks, such as air pollution, the urban heat-island effect, and heightened stress.⁶

Recent research has drawn attention to a concerning stroke recurrence rate of 53.6% within a year in Thailand,⁷ shedding light on the risks following an initial stroke. Recurrent strokes result from various health determinants, including uncontrolled factors like alcohol consumption, diabetes, and hypertension, ultimately leading to increased mortality, hospital readmissions, and extended disabilities.^8–11 While age remains a significant predictor of stroke recurrence, vulnerability extends beyond older adults to working-age individuals in urban areas like Bangkok.^12–14 Although returning to work after a stroke can yield positive outcomes, such as improved well-being,^15,16 urban workplaces contribute to recurrence risks due to stress and unhealthy habits.

Despite studies on lifestyle and clinical risk factors for recurrent strokes in working-age adults,^14,17 a research gap still exists. In particular, urban work-related stressors remain unexplored for this demographic. Therefore, this study aims to identify significant factors associated with recurrent stroke in working-age adults in urban areas of Thailand. Gaining insights into these factors will enable the development of targeted interventions and preventive strategies to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and enhance long-term outcomes and quality of life for this vulnerable population.

Methods

Ethical considerations

The study obtained approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand (Approval no. 110/64 E). Before participation, all participants were informed about the study and their voluntary participation. All collected data was kept confidential and anonymous. Data collection began on September 2021, and continued until March 2022.

Setting and sample

This case-control study included consecutive patients aged 20-60 years, residing in the urban area of Bangkok for at least 5 years, who experienced their first-ever stroke. Recurrent stroke was confirmed through computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by a physician at the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand, between July 2020 to August 2021. Recurrent stroke was defined as a focal neurological deficit lasting more than 24 hours and occurring after the initial stroke.¹⁸ Controls were stroke survivors without stroke recurrence, randomly selected from the neurological clinic of a public hospital. Exclusion criteria included patients who were currently unemployed, were unconscious at the time of the stroke, or had any severe complications.

Sample size determination was performed using Epi Info version 7.2.5.0, which is available for free download from the CDC Epi Info website (https://www.cdc.gov/epiinfo/index.html). The calculation employed a double population formula suitable for an unmatched case-control study. This calculation considered the recurrent stroke rate among controls, which was 50.5%, and an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.44 derived from a prior study conducted in India.¹⁹ To achieve a 95% confidence interval (CI) with 80% statistical power and maintain a controls-to-cases ratio of 2:1, the initial sample size was established at 250 participants. To account for potential non-responses, a buffer of 20% was added to the sample size calculation. Consequently, the total sample size was determined to be 300 participants, containing 100 cases and 200 controls. It’s important to note that out of the 516 first-ever stroke patients in the hospital database, this study specifically included 300 stroke patients. The recruitment process is detailed in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Flowchart of data collection process.

Instruments

In this study, participants were interviewed by researchers using a structured questionnaire developed based on a literature review of stroke prevention guidelines.²⁰ The questionnaire covered demographic characteristics (age, gender, and marital status), health-related behaviors (preventive health behavior, smoking status, drinking status, and sedentary lifestyle), and occupational factors (interpersonal relationships at the workplace, job characteristics, and physical work environment). Clinical characteristics, such as stroke subtypes, fasting blood sugar (FBS), body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, were obtained from medical records. Health-related behaviors, reflecting the past year, were assessed following key guidelines and insights from the literature. Health-related behaviors, gathered retrospectively over the past year, were assessed following the key recommendations and insights from the literature and were organized into four domains: (i) preventive health behavior, (ii) smoking status, (iii) drinking status, and (iv) sedentary lifestyle. Preventive health behavior was measured by compliance with recommended preventive measures, such as medication adherence, physical activity, regular physical examinations, sufficient sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and a healthy diet (13 items). Participants rated their responses on a 3-point Likert scale ranging from ‘always’ to ‘never’. The Cronbach’s alpha for preventive health behavior was 0.79. Smoking status was determined by asking participants if they currently smoked. The response categories were ‘never’, ‘ever’, and ‘yes’. Participants were classified as non-smokers (never and ever combined) and current smokers. Drinking status was assessed by asking participants if they currently drank alcohol. The response categories were ‘never’, ‘ever’, and ‘yes’. Participants were classified as non-drinkers (never and ever combined) and current drinkers. The sedentary lifestyle was assessed using a 6-item scale specifically developed for this study, which was informed by the definitions of sedentary behavior outlined by Tremblay et al.²¹ This scale includes activities such as lying down, reclining, and sitting. Participants responded to the items using a 4-point Likert scale ranging from ‘always’ to ‘never.’ The internal consistency of the sedentary lifestyle scale was measured, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.70.The measurement tool for occupational characteristics was developed based on a thorough review of the relevant literature, which identified three primary domains for assessment: interpersonal relationships in the workplace, job characteristics, and the physical work environment. Interpersonal relationships were evaluated by examining the quality of interactions with colleagues and supervisors,^22,23 employing five specific items that pertain to job autonomy, job feedback, task significance, task identity, and skill variety. Participants rated their experiences using a 3-point Likert scale, ranging from ‘always’ to ‘never.’ The physical work environment was defined according to participants’ perceptions of several factors, including lighting, noise, temperature, and workplace support for health, assessed through four items. Responses were categorized as ‘no’ or ‘yes.’ The Cronbach’s alpha for job characteristics was determined to be 0.79, indicating acceptable internal consistency. Clinical characteristics data were collected from medical records. Stroke subtypes were classified into categories such as embolic, thrombotic, lacunar, and uncertain.²⁴ Current fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were measured using an oxidase enzymatic method, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Additionally, historical FBS and BMI data from 6 to 12 months prior were collected for comparison. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia were defined based on physician diagnoses.

Data collection procedure

Data collection relied on a structure questionnaire administered by trained interviewers. The questionnaire was initially developed in English and then translated into Thai. To ensure accuracy and consistency, it underwent back-translation into English, supervised by a qualified translator.

The questionnaire consisted of both open and closed-ended questions, covering various domains such as demographic characteristics, health-related behavior, and occupational factors. In contrast, clinical data were directly extracted from medical records.

Before commencing full-scale data collection, a pretest was conducted to assess the questionnaire’s reliability and effectiveness, with necessary adjustments made based on the pretest feedback.

To ensure the quality of data collection, both the data collectors and their supervisors underwent comprehensive training. This training included familiarization with the questionnaire, mastery of data collection techniques, understanding of ethical considerations, and a clear grasp of the study’s objectives.

Subsequently, the collected data underwent a rigorous review by the principal investigators to confirm the presence of all necessary information and ensure overall consistency.

Data analysis

Data were analyzed using STATA 17 software (Serial number: 501706420821).for univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. The chi-square test compared the distribution of all variables in the univariate analysis. Univariate odd ratios (ORs) were calculated for factors with a significant difference (p-value < 0.2).²⁵ Factors meeting this criterion were included in the multivariate analysis, which used logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) to identify significant factors associated with recurrent stroke. A p-value < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Results

The study involved 100 cases and 200 controls. Among the cases, 66.0% were aged 25-49 years, compared to 59.5% among controls. Moreover, 58.0% of the cases were male, while the percentage among controls was 65.0%. Most participants were married, with 64.0% in the cases and 57.0% in the controls. Significant differences were observed between cases and controls in various variables, including gender, marital status, FBS, BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, smoking status, drinking status, sedentary lifestyle, interpersonal relationships at the workplace, and workplace support for health. Table 1 presents the baseline characteristics of the study participants.

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the study participants (n=300).

Characteristics	Case (n = 100)	Control (n = 200)	p-value
Characteristics	n (%)	n (%)	p-value
Age			.28
25-40 years	66 (66.0)	119 (59.5)
41-60 years	34 (34.0)	81 (40.5)
Gender			<.05
Male	54 (54.0)	132 (66.0)
Female	46 (46.0)	68 (34.0)
Marital status			<.01
Single	18 (18.0)	70 (35.0)
Married	64 (64.0)	114 (57.0)
Widowed/Divorced	18 (18.0)	16 (8.0)
Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)			<.01
Normal	21 (21.4)	59 (29.5)
Medium	34 (34.7)	100 (50.0)
Hight	43 (43.9)	41 (20.5)
Body Mass Index (BMI)			<.01
Normal weight	33 (33.0)	107 (53.5)
Overweight	67 (67.0)	93 (46.5)
Hypertension			<.05
Yes	67 (67.0)	109 (54.5)
No	33 (33.0)	91 (45.5)
Diabetes mellitus			<.05
Yes	50 (50.0)	74 (37.0)
No	50 (50.0)	126 (63.0)
Dyslipidemia			<.05
Yes	61 (61.0)	94 (47.0)
No	39 (39.0)	106 (53.0)
Smoking status			<.05
Current smoker	47 (47.0)	69 (34.5)
Non-smoker	53 (53.0)	131 (65.5)
Drinking status			<.01
Current drinker	55 (55.0)	54 (27.0)
Non-drinker	45 (45.0)	146 (73.0)
Preventive health behavior			.51
Low	42 (42.0)	92 (46.0)
High	58 (58.0)	108 (54.0)
Sedentary lifestyle			<.01
Low	46 (46.0)	152 (76.0)
High	54 (54.0)	48 (24.0)
Interpersonal relationship at workplace			<.01
Low	51 (51.0)	67 (33.5)
High	49 (49.0)	133 (66.5)
Job characteristics			.17
Low	42 (42.0)	99 (49.5)
High	58 (58.0)	101 (50.5)
Physical work environment
Light			.57
Enough	50 (50.0)	93 (46.5)
Poor/too much	50 (50.0)	107 (53.5)
Noise			.86
Yes	33 (33.0)	68 (34.0)
No	67 (67.0)	132 (66.0)
Heat and cold stress			.46
Yes	24 (24.0)	56 (28.0)
No	76 (76.0)	144 (72.0)
Workplace support for health			<.01
Yes	54 (54.0)	74 (37.0)
No	46 (46.0)	126 (63.0)

a chi-squared for proportions.

Based on the significant differences in the baseline characteristics, specific variables were selected for inclusion in the multivariate analysis model. The results, presented in Table 2, showed that female gender (aOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.29), high FBS (aOR = 3.70, 95% CI: 1.66, 8.27), drinking status (aOR = 3.63, 95% CI: 2.01, 6.54), sedentary lifestyle (aOR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.50, 5.13), and lack of workplace support for health (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.13, 3.63) were significantly associated with recurrent stroke among the working-age adults.

Table 2. Logistic regression of predictors for recurrent stroke (n=300).

Predictors	Crude OR (95% CI)	p-value	Adjusted OR (95% CI)	p-value
Gender (vs. Male)	1.65 (1.01, 2.70)	<.05	1.83 (1.01, 3.29)	<.05
Marital status (vs. Single)				.09
Married	2.18 (1.20, 3.98)	<.05	1.65 (0.81, 3.36)	.17
Widowed/Divorced	4.38 (1.87, 10.23)	<.01	3.13 (1.09, 8.94)	<.05
Fasting Blood Sugar (vs: Normal)				<.01
Medium	0.96 (0.51, 1.80)	.89	1.05 (0.50, 2.18)	.90
High	3.08 (1.60, 5.93)	<.01	3.70 (1.66, 8.27)	<.01
Body Mass Index (BMI) (vs. Low)	2.34 (1.42, 3.85)	<.01	1.76 (0.96, 3.21)	.07
Hypertension (vs. No)	1.70 (1.03, 2.80)	<.05	1.83 (0.99, 3.37)	.05
Diabetes mellitus (vs. No)	1.70 (1.05, 2.77)	<.05	1.38 (0.76, 2.50)	.29
Dyslipidemia (vs. No)	1.76 (1.08, 2.87)	<.05	0.80 (0.43, 1.49)	.49
Smoking status (vs. Non-smoker)	1.68 (1.03, 2.75)	<.01	1.57 (0.87, 2.85)	.14
Drinking status (vs. Non-drinker)	3.30 (2.00, 5.46)	<.01	3.63 (2.01, 6.54)	<.01
Sedentary Lifestyle (vs. Low)	2.70 (1.62, 4.49)	<.01	2.77 (1.50, 5.13)	<.01
Interpersonal relationship at workplace (vs. Low)	0.48 (0.30, 0.79)	<.01	0.56 (0.31, 1.01)	.05
Workplace support for health (vs. Yes)	2.00 (1.23, 3.25)	<.01	2.02 (1.13, 3.63)	<.05

Various factors contributed to recurrent stroke were analyzed into two age groups: individuals aged 25-40 years (“younger workers”) and those aged 41-60 years (“older workers”) ( Table 3). Among younger workers, the most significant factors influencing recurrent stroke were being widowed/divorced (aOR = 7.62, 95% CI: 1.87, 31.12), drinking status (aOR = 4.28, 95% CI: 1.87, 9.80), sedentary lifestyle (aOR = 4.27, 95% CI: 1.84, 9.88), high FBS (aOR = 4.10, 95% CI: 1.32, 12.77), female gender (aOR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.49, 7.25), being married (aOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.02, 6.55), and lack of workplace support for health (aOR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.05, 5.23). Interestingly, having high interpersonal relationships at the workplace appeared to have a protective effect against recurrent stroke (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.76). On the other hand, among older workers, only drinking status was found to be associated with recurrent stroke (aOR = 3.38, 95% CI: 1.17, 9.72).

Table 3. Logistic regression of predictors for recurrent stroke between aged 25-40 years and 41-60 years.

Predictors	Aged 25-40 year (n = 185)				Aged 41-60 year (n = 115)
Predictors	Crude OR (95% CI)	p-value	Adjusted OR (95% CI)	p-value	Crude OR (95% CI)	p-value	Adjusted OR (95% CI)	p-value
Gender (vs. Male)	2.89 (1.55, 5.39)	<.01	3.28 (1.49, 7.25)	<.01	0.52 (0.21, 1.30)	.16	0.45 (0.14, 1.50)	.19
Marital status (vs. Single)				<.01				.83
Married	3.44 (1.60, 7.40)	<.01	2.59 (1.02, 6.55)	<.05	0.96 (0.35, 2.64)	.94	0.71 (0.20, 2.56)	.60
Widowed/Divorced	9.20 (3.14, 26.98)	<.01	7.62 (1.87, 31.12)	<.01	0.86 (0.17, 4.23)	.85	0.55 (0.06, 5.00)	.60
Fasting blood sugar (vs: Normal)				<.05				<.05
Medium	0.88 (0.41, 1.88)	.74	1.60 (0.62, 4.17)	.33	0.99 (0.31, 3.20)	.99	0.76 (0.17, 3.41)	.72
High	2.62 (1.13, 6.08)	<.05	4.10 (1.32, 12.77)	<.05	4.33 (1.47, 12.79)	<.01	4.07 (0.83, 19.98)	.08
Body mass index (BMI) (vs. Low)	2.25 (1.21, 4.19)	<.05	1.95 (0.85, 4.44)	.11	2.71 (1.13, 6.52)	<.05	1.53 (0.51, 4.58)	.45
Hypertension (vs. No)	1.47 (0.80, 2.70)	.22	1.87 (0.84, 4.15)	.12	2.89 (1.08, 7.78)	<.05	2.44 (0.68, 8.79)	.16
Diabetes mellitus (vs. No)	1.61 (0.88, 2.96)	.12	1.25 (0.56, 2.81)	.59	1.77 (0.78, 4.04)	.18	2.08 (0.64, 6.77)	.22
Dyslipidemia (vs. No)	1.44 (0.78, 2.63)	.24	0.53 (0.23, 1.23)	.13	2.72 (1.15, 6.40)	<.05	1.08 (0.28, 4.18)	.91
Smoking status (vs. Non-smoker)	1.21 (0.66, 2.24)	.54	1.15 (0.50, 2.60)	.75	3.01 (1.31, 6.89)	<.01	2.75 (0.99, 7.62)	.05
Drinking status (vs. Non-drinker)	2.83 (1.52, 5.27)	<.01	4.28 (1.87, 9.80)	<.01	4.24 (1.79, 10.01)	<.01	3.38 (1.17, 9.72)	<.05
Sedentary lifestyle (vs. Low)	3.41 (1.81, 6.42)	<.01	4.27 (1.84, 9.88)	<.01	1.57 (0.63, 3.90)	.33	1.57 (0.43, 5.80)	.50
Interpersonal relationships at the workplace (vs. Low)	0.45 (0.24, 0.84)	<.05	0.34 (0.15, 0.76)	<.01	0.48 (0.21, 1.09)	.08	0.96 (0.33, 2.80)	.94
Workplace support for health (vs. non-support)	2.32 (1.25, 4.29)	<.01	2.35 (1.05, 5.23)	<.05	1.66 (0.74, 3.73)	.22	2.47 (0.81, 7.53)	.11

Discussion

Patients who have experienced their first-ever stroke remain at high risk of recurrent stroke, particularly in Bangkok, Thailand, due to lifestyle-related risk factors and occupational factors among working-age adults. This study aimed to identify significant factors associated with recurrent stroke in this population. The results revealed that female gender, high FBS, drinking status, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of workplace support for health were significant factors for recurrent stroke. Moreover, there were differences in the pattern of significant factors between younger workers and older workers.

The study identified female gender as a significant factor for recurrent stroke among working-age adults, indicating that women in this age group are at higher risk of recurrent strokes compared to men. The impact of gender on stroke risk may vary depending on age groups. The study revealed a stronger association between female gender and recurrent stroke in young workers, while no significant association was observed in older workers. The difference may be attributed to lifestyle factors. Younger women living in urban area may be more vulnerable to specific risk factors related to recurrent stroke, such as lifestyle choices, exposure to air pollution, or work-related stress.^25–29 To gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving these gender-specific differences in recurrent stroke risk, further research is warranted. Exploring the interactions between age, gender, and other risk factors could offer valuable insights for tailoring effective stroke prevention strategies to specific populations.

Marital status significantly influences recurrent stroke in working-age adults, particularly among younger workers. Married or widowed/divorced women in this age group faced a higher risk of recurrent strokes compared to single women. However, no significant association between marital status and recurrent stroke was observed in older workers. This age-specific disparity in the relationship between marital status and recurrent stroke has important implications. For younger workers, being married or experiencing a change in marital status could potentially be associated with increased stress, lifestyle changes, or other factors contributing to a higher stroke risk.^30–34 Further research is needed to better understand the underlying reasons behind these age-specific associations between marital status and recurrent stroke risk.

Fasting blood sugar (FBS) showed a significant association with an increased risk of recurrent stroke among younger workers. Previous studies have indicated that individuals without a history of diabetes mellitus but with fasting blood sugar level >7mmol/L, or those with prediabetes, are considered at risk for developing recurrent stroke.^35–38 However, in our study, no significant association between FBS and recurrent stroke was observed in older workers. This finding suggests that FBS levels may not play a prominent role as a risk factor for recurrent stroke in the older age group, where other factors may have a more significant impact on stroke risk. Understanding these age-specific differences in this association is crucial for stroke management and prevention strategies. For younger workers, early detection and management of elevated FBS levels may be critical in mitigating the risk of recurrent stroke.

Our findings revealed that current drinkers, both among younger and older workers, had a higher risk of recurrent stroke compared to non-drinkers. While previous research has connected alcohol consumption to stroke recurrence in elderly patients,⁸ its association with recurrent stroke in working-age adults is less clear. However, studies have suggested that heavy alcohol consumption is a modifiable risk factor for stroke in this age group.^39–42 Addressing alcohol consumption is crucial in stroke prevention strategies for working-age adults. Healthcare providers should educate patients about the potential risks and promote healthier lifestyle choices. Understanding the specific patterns of alcohol consumption in different age groups can help tailor effective intervention programs. Reducing heavy alcohol intake and promoting responsible drinking behaviors may significantly lower the burden of recurrent stroke among working-age adults.

Our study found a significant association between sedentary lifestyle and increased recurrent stroke risk among younger workers. One plausible explanation includes younger urban workers spending more time in sedentary activities due to work or lifestyle choices,^43–46 contributing to the elevated risk of recurrent stroke. However, no significant association between sedentary lifestyle and recurrent stroke was observed in older workers, where diverse physical activity levels and other factors may play a more prominent role in influencing risk. Interestingly, Vilhelmson et al.⁴⁷ showed that younger workers allocate more time to work and digital leisure, while older workers engage more in outdoor activity and exercise. Understanding these age-specific associations is essential for designing targeted stroke prevention strategies. For younger workers, interventions to reduce sedentary behavior and promoting regular physical activity may be crucial in mitigating recurrent stroke risk. Implementing workplace wellness programs and encouraging regular breaks from sedentary activities can be beneficial.

Our study identified a significant association between lack of workplace support for health and an increased risk of recurrent stroke among younger workers. Interestingly, workplace support seems to have no such impact on stroke risk for older workers. The key lies in how workplace support may indirectly influence lifestyle behaviors among younger individuals. Young workers may face extended working hours, fostering high-stress and competitive environments as they strive to establish their careers. This can lead to overworking and result in unhealthy habits such as poor diet, reduced physical activity, and increased alcohol intake – all contributing to stroke risks factors like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.^48–50 Moreover, the stress from this work culture can lead to insufficient sleep and chronic stress, both of which are linked to an increased risk of stroke.^51,52 Young workers, prioritizing productivity, may disregard health warnings, further enhancing their risk. Conversely, older workers tend to have better psychological health compared to younger workers.⁵³ They are more likely to seek medical help when needed and adhere to healthier behaviors, thus mitigating the stroke risks that younger workers may face. Understanding the differential impact of workplace support on stroke risk in different age groups is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies. For younger workers, interventions focusing on promoting healthier lifestyles and addressing the impact of work-related stress could be crucial in reducing their risk of recurrent stroke.

Our study revealed a significant association between workplace interpersonal relationships and recurrent stroke among working-age adults. Interestingly, we found that these relationships acted as a significant protective factor against recurrent stroke among younger workers but did not seem to have the same impact on stroke risk for older workers. Positive interpersonal relationships in the workplace may play a crucial role in buffering against the risk of recurrent stroke among younger workers, contributing to reduced stress levels, improved mental well-being, and overall job satisfaction.^54,55 As younger workers often face the challenges of establishing themselves in their careers and navigating work-related stress, a positive social environment at work can act as a protective factor, influencing their health outcomes, including stroke risk.⁵⁶ In contrast, older workers may have developed better coping mechanisms and emotional resilience, which could mitigate the impact of workplace relationships on their adverse health outcomes and promote well-being.⁵⁷ Understanding the differential influence of workplace interpersonal relationships on stroke risk in different age group is vital for designing targeted interventions. Reducing work-related stress could be a valuable component of stroke prevention strategies, particularly for younger workers.

Examining these findings through the socio-ecological model⁵⁸ provides deeper insight into the intricate factors influencing urban areas. Individual behaviors like drinking habits and physical activity levels intersect with the broader urban landscape, including workplace dynamics and healthcare services accessibility. These interactions highlight the necessity for comprehensive, multi-level interventions that address both individual choices and the urban milieu. Effort to mitigate recurrent stroke risk among urban working-age adults should not solely concentrate on individual risk factors but should also consider the urban environment holistically. This involves promoting healthier behaviors, enhancing workplace health support, and improving healthcare services accessibility within the city. By aligning interventions with socio-ecological model principles, healthcare providers and policymakers can collaboratively craft a healthier urban environment, consequently alleviating the burden of recurrent stroke on this vulnerable population.

Several limitations of this study may influence the interpretation of the results. First, this study’s single-site hospital setting may limit the generalizability of the findings. While the study provides valuable insights into the specific urban setting, caution should be exercised when extrapolating these results to different geographic locations or diverse healthcare settings. To enhance external validity, future research should include larger and more diverse samples from multiple healthcare centers or regions. Second, a notable limitation lies in the absence of detailed information on medication use, physical activity, work-related stress, and the urban environment relevant to working-age adults. These factors can play crucial roles in influencing stroke risk and recurrence among this population. Collecting comprehensive data on these variables in future research would lead to a more profound understanding of their contributions to recurrent stroke risk, thereby guiding better-informed stroke prevention strategies. Lastly, it is essential to recognize that the risk factors examined in this study may interact with one another, leading to mutual influences and complex interplay. Comorbidities and the interactions between risk factors can significantly affect stroke recurrence risk, warranting thorough investigation. Future studies should aim to explore the synergistic effects of multiple risk factors and consider potential confounding variables to elucidate a more comprehensive picture of stroke recurrence risk among working-age adults.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study sheds light on the factors associated with recurrent stroke among working-age adults in urban areas of Bangkok, Thailand. Addressing lifestyle-related and occupational risk factors is crucial for reducing recurrent stroke risk in this vulnerable population. The impact of these factors varied across different age groups, necessitating age-specific stroke prevention strategies. Promoting healthier lifestyle, reducing alcohol consumption, encouraging physical activity, and addressing work-related stress are vital steps in mitigating recurrent stroke risk among working-age adults. Healthcare providers can develop targeted and effective stroke prevention and management strategies, including healthy lifestyle promotion, alcohol reduction, physical activity encouragement, stress management, regular health check-ups, multidisciplinary care, and workplace wellness initiatives. Implementing evidence-based interventions can lead to improved stroke outcomes, reduced disability, and an enhanced quality of life for urban working-age adults.

Declarations

Ethical considerations

The study obtained approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand (Approval no. 110/64 E). The approval was granted on August 2, 2021, and is valid until August 1, 2022.

Consent statement

Before participation, all participants were informed about the study and their right to voluntary participation. They provided written informed consent prior to being enrolled in the study. All collected data was kept confidential and anonymous, ensuring the privacy of all participants. This study adhered to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki, ensuring ethical conduct.

Author contribution statement

All author listed have contributed to the development and the writing of this article.

Additional information

No additional information is available for this paper.

Data availability statement

Ethical and security consideration

The data consists of personal medical records of patients, and access is restricted to protect patient confidentiality. To apply for access to the data, readers or reviewers must submit a formal request including the purpose of the data use, a detailed research plan, and proof of ethical approval from a recognized institutional review board (IRB). Access will be granted only under the condition that the data will be used solely for the approved research purposes, and all necessary measures to ensure data privacy and security are in place. Applications should be directed to the corresponding author, and each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Acknowledgement

This study is part of the research project “Predicting factors of recurrent stroke among the working group,” approved in 2021 by Navamindradhiraj University in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Version 3

VERSION 3 PUBLISHED 29 Nov 2024

Author details Author details

Charin Suwanwong
Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing

Competing interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Grant information

This research was financially supported by Navamindradhiraj University Research Fund-RESEARCH.NMU 62/2564.
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Article Versions (3)

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Published: 05 Jun 2025, 13:1445

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.3

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Published: 23 May 2025, 13:1445

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.2

version 1

Published: 29 Nov 2024, 13:1445

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.1

© 2024 Wongrostrai Y et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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Wongrostrai Y, Chiangkhong A, Suwanwong C and Khunakorncharatphong A. Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand [version 1; peer review: 2 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2024, 13:1445 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.154968.1)

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Reviewer Report 26 Feb 2025

Norsima Nazifah Sidek, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kelantan, Terengganu, Malaysia

Approved with Reservations

https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.170076.r364042

Some findings in the discussion section could be more critically analysed, linking to existing literature more explicitly.
Ensure that references support all claims made in the manuscript.
More details on how confounders were controlled

Some findings in the discussion section could be more critically analysed, linking to existing literature more explicitly.
Ensure that references support all claims made in the manuscript.
More details on how confounders were controlled in the logistic regression analysis would strengthen the methodology section.
Please explain more detail regarding the sampling method .
There are several type of randomization.
Please explain more details the validation process for the questionnaire

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Partly
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Partly
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

I cannot comment. A qualified statistician is required.
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Stroke , caregiver

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above.

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Author Response 14 Apr 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

14 Apr 2025

Author Response
We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods
- Added explanation on how confounding variables
... Continue reading
We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods

Added explanation on how confounding variables were controlled: variables with p < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in the adjusted logistic regression model.

Clarified that consecutive sampling was used for eligible participants, and random selection was applied only for controls.

Clarified that the study did not use randomization in an interventional sense, but used appropriate random selection methods for observational controls.

Provided details on the questionnaire validation process: literature-based design, expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability scores.

Discussion

Rewrote parts of the discussion to offer more critical reflection and explicitly linked the findings (gender, sedentary behavior, marital status, workplace factors) to existing literature, especially regarding age-specific patterns.

Other Sections

Confirmed that all claims are now supported by appropriate, current references throughout the manuscript.
We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods

Added explanation on how confounding variables were controlled: variables with p < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in the adjusted logistic regression model.

Clarified that consecutive sampling was used for eligible participants, and random selection was applied only for controls.

Clarified that the study did not use randomization in an interventional sense, but used appropriate random selection methods for observational controls.

Provided details on the questionnaire validation process: literature-based design, expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability scores.

Discussion

Rewrote parts of the discussion to offer more critical reflection and explicitly linked the findings (gender, sedentary behavior, marital status, workplace factors) to existing literature, especially regarding age-specific patterns.

Other Sections

Confirmed that all claims are now supported by appropriate, current references throughout the manuscript.
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close
Report a concern
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COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT

Author Response 14 Apr 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

14 Apr 2025

Author Response
We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods
- Added explanation on how confounding variables
... Continue reading
We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods

Added explanation on how confounding variables were controlled: variables with p < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in the adjusted logistic regression model.

Clarified that consecutive sampling was used for eligible participants, and random selection was applied only for controls.

Clarified that the study did not use randomization in an interventional sense, but used appropriate random selection methods for observational controls.

Provided details on the questionnaire validation process: literature-based design, expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability scores.

Discussion

Rewrote parts of the discussion to offer more critical reflection and explicitly linked the findings (gender, sedentary behavior, marital status, workplace factors) to existing literature, especially regarding age-specific patterns.

Other Sections

Confirmed that all claims are now supported by appropriate, current references throughout the manuscript.
We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods

Added explanation on how confounding variables were controlled: variables with p < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in the adjusted logistic regression model.

Clarified that consecutive sampling was used for eligible participants, and random selection was applied only for controls.

Clarified that the study did not use randomization in an interventional sense, but used appropriate random selection methods for observational controls.

Provided details on the questionnaire validation process: literature-based design, expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability scores.

Discussion

Rewrote parts of the discussion to offer more critical reflection and explicitly linked the findings (gender, sedentary behavior, marital status, workplace factors) to existing literature, especially regarding age-specific patterns.

Other Sections

Confirmed that all claims are now supported by appropriate, current references throughout the manuscript.
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close
Report a concern

Views

Reviewer Report 19 Feb 2025

Lamia M’barek, Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

Approved with Reservations

https://doi.org/10.5256/f1000research.170076.r358376

The study titled "Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand" is a cohort study that includes ischemic stroke patients divided into two groups based on recurrent ischemic stroke. The primary aim is to identify significant factors associated with recurrent stroke in working-age adults in urban Thailand.
The results indicate that female gender, high fasting blood sugar (FBS), drinking status, sedentary lifestyle, and lack of workplace support for health are significant factors associated with recurrent stroke. Additionally, the study highlights differences in the patterns of significant factors between younger and older workers.
Overall, the results of this study are promising, and the discussion is clear. However, there are some comments for improvement to enhance the quality of the paper:
Comments to Authors
Abstract:
Methods:

The study is described as a case-control study; however, it includes two groups: patients with recurrent ischemic stroke and those without recurrence. This design aligns more with a cohort study rather than a case-control study.
It may be beneficial to remove the control participants and focus the study on two groups based solely on recurrent stroke status.
Matched Participants: The authors state that patients are matched by age and gender. However, the distribution of gender is not matched (p < 0.05), as indicated in Table 1. Additionally, it would be helpful to present the age of all participants, regardless of group.
The number of patients should be clearly stated in the results section of the abstract.

Results:

There is missing data regarding the mean age and sex ratio of all participants.
Please specify that the odds ratio is adjusted (aOR) and present it in the following format: aOR: ..; 95% CI [..-..]; p: …

Conclusion:

Please cite the major results obtained from the study clearly.

Main text
Introduction:

Could the authors please clarify what they mean by “uncontrolled factors like alcohol consumption, diabetes, and hypertension”? Since these factors are modifiable, do the authors intend to suggest that there is inadequate control of these factors?
The term “working-age adults” should be defined, with references to previous studies in the same area.
The phrase “urban work-related stressors” is unclear and would benefit from further explanation.

Methods:

As previously mentioned in my comments on the abstract, the classification of the study as a case-control study should be reconsidered.
The age range referred to in this paragraph does not match Table 1. Are patients aged 20 to 25 missing, or is there a lack of patients in this age group? This needs clarification.
In the section on setting and sample, what is meant by "any severe complications"? Please specify that hemorrhagic and other cerebral damages are excluded.
The last sentence in this paragraph should be reformulated to emphasize the importance of stroke patients, avoiding the repetition of the phrase "300 patients."
In Figure 1, the label "stroke recurrence > 1" needs clarification. Does the study include only one recurrence? Additionally, Figure 1 would be more appropriately placed in the results section.
When stratifying participants into age groups, could the authors clarify which references they used for this division? This should be detailed in the Methods section.
What is the unit for FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)? What do “normal,” “medium,” and “high” refer to? These values should be specified in the Methods section.
There seems to be a missing section regarding the follow-up of patients. How were patients followed? What was the duration and what kind of examinations were conducted?
Could the authors further clarify the Data Collection Procedure section? What is the distinction between this section and the Instruments section? Please ensure that there is no repetition between these two paragraphs.

Result:

There is missing data regarding the general population, including the mean age for both groups and the sex ratio. This information should be included for clarity.
The first paragraph lacks clarity; a further simplification is recommended to enhance understanding.
The terms “older workers” and “younger workers” were not defined in the Methods section. All relevant terms should be clearly defined in that section.
Regarding the adjusted odds ratio (aOR), the authors need to specify which factors were used for adjustment. This information should be included in the Methods section and referenced under the corresponding table.

Conclusion

It is essential to summarize the most crucial results of your work. These summaries should be presented concisely. In the conclusion section, ensure that you cite these results, as this will strengthen the credibility of your conclusions and provide a clear link between the findings and the overall message of your paper.

Declarations

The Declarations section appears to be repetitive. According to the journal's recommendations, please ensure that all relevant information is consolidated into a single section in the paper for clarity and compliance.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Partly
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Partly
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Partly
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise: Clinical Research for Neurological Diseases

CITE

Report a concern

Author Response 23 May 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

23 May 2025

Author Response
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract ... Continue reading
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close
Report a concern
Author Response 17 Apr 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

17 Apr 2025

Author Response
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract ... Continue reading
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.

Other Sections

Consolidated the “Declarations” section for clarity and to meet journal requirements.
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.

Other Sections

Consolidated the “Declarations” section for clarity and to meet journal requirements.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no competing interests. Close
Report a concern
Respond or Comment

COMMENTS ON THIS REPORT

Author Response 23 May 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

23 May 2025

Author Response
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract ... Continue reading
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.
Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Close
Report a concern
Author Response 17 Apr 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

17 Apr 2025

Author Response
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract ... Continue reading
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.

Other Sections

Consolidated the “Declarations” section for clarity and to meet journal requirements.
We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.

Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.

Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.

Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.

Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].

Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.

Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.

Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”

Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.

Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.

Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."

Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.

Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).

Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.

Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.

Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.

Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.

Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.

Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.

Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.

Other Sections

Consolidated the “Declarations” section for clarity and to meet journal requirements.
Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no competing interests. Close
Report a concern

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Version 3

VERSION 3 PUBLISHED 29 Nov 2024

Open Peer Review

Reviewer Status

Reviewer Reports

	Invited Reviewers
	1	2	3
Version 3 (revision) 05 Jun 25	read		read
Version 2 (revision) 23 May 25	read
Version 1 29 Nov 24	read	read

Lamia M’barek, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
Norsima Nazifah Sidek, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Clinical Research Centre, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Kelantan, Terengganu, Malaysia
Anthony Rudd, King’s College, London, UK

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Reviewer Report

26 Views

19 Jun 2025 | for Version 3

Anthony Rudd, King’s College, London, UK

26 Views Cite this report Responses(0)

Approved With Reservations

Previous reviews have highlighted some of the concerns about the paper and these have already been addressed satisfactorily by the authors. The data presented are of interest, but the limitations of the methodology need to be discussed in more detail.

It is acknowledged that the sample is just from one hospital and is not population based and there are limited data on medication compliance, but these are very important issues that do detract from the overall message. The control group are selected from patients attending the hospital for follow-up. By definition therefore they will be people who are complying with at least some aspects of stroke prevention compared to patients who do not attend for follow-up. The lack of data on use of medication (especially anti-platelets, anticoagulants and statins) and the lack of data on whether risk factors (especially hypertension) have actually been controlled are also significant weaknesses that need stronger acknowledgement. These are the factors that previous studies on stroke recurrence have shown to be of particular importance.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Yes
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Partly

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Stroke management and epidemiology

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Reviewer Report

5 Views

13 Jun 2025 | for Version 3

Lamia M’barek, Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

5 Views Cite this report Responses(0)

Approved

I have reviewed the revisions made to the manuscript and I fully accept the changes. I have no further comments.
Thank you for your hard work on this manuscript.

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Clinical Research for Neurological Diseases

I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard.

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Reviewer Report

16 Views

26 May 2025 | for Version 2

Lamia M’barek, Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

16 Views Cite this report Responses(1)

Approved With Reservations

Revision 2:
We would like to thank the authors for their initial revisions and the improvements made to enhance the manuscript quality. The following suggestions are provided to further strengthen the study:
1. Clarify the Type of Stroke Included in the Study
Suggestion: Explicitly state whether the study focuses on ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or other types of stroke. If multiple types are included, provide a breakdown of the distribution of stroke types in the study population.
2. Strengthen the Introduction
Primary Stroke Type Onset: Define the most common type of stroke onset in the study population and provide its exact frequency (e.g., "Ischemic stroke accounted for 70% of initial strokes in our cohort").
Recurrence Definition: Clearly specify the type(s) of recurrent stroke used as the primary outcome (e.g., "The primary outcome was recurrent ischemic stroke within 12 months of the index event").
3. Refine the Methodology Section
Definition of Recurrent Stroke: If the study includes ischemic stroke, ensure the definition of recurrent stroke aligns with established criteria. If other stroke types are included, add appropriate definitions for each.
4. Explain the Exclusion of TIA Patients
Rationale for Exclusion: Provide a clear explanation for excluding patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).
5. Specify Follow-Up Period in Data Collection
Follow-Up Timeline: Mention the duration of follow-up.
6. Enhance Table 3 Presentation
Add Details: Include the number and percentage of cases in each variable according to group subtype. As well, specify which factors were adjusted for in multivariate analyses.
Improve the Discussion Section
Focus on Main Aim: Avoid limiting the discussion to age-related risk factors unless it is central to the study’s objectives. Instead, focus on factors directly linked to the primary aim.
Address Non-Significant Findings: Acknowledge that non-significant results may relate to patient distribution.
Revise Repetitive Language
Avoid "Our Study". Ensure paragraphs flow logically by connecting ideas.
Simplify the Conclusion
Avoid citing odds ratios (OR) in the conclusion. Instead, highlight the major risk factors identified.

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Clinical Research for Neurological Diseases

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Responses (1)

Author Response

09 Aug 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

1. Clarify the Type of Stroke Included in the Study
Comment: Explicitly state whether the study focuses on ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or other types of stroke. If multiple types are included, provide a breakdown of the distribution.
Response: Thank you. We have clarified in both the Methods section and Table 1 that the study includes both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. The distribution is now stated as follows: “Among the participants, 67.8% had ischemic stroke, while 32.2% had hemorrhagic stroke.”
2. Strengthen the Introduction
Comment:

Define the most common type of stroke onset and its exact frequency.
Clearly specify the type(s) of recurrent stroke used as the primary outcome.
Response: The Introduction section has been revised to reflect that ischemic stroke is the most common type among working-age adults in Thailand. The frequency is specified. We also explicitly defined the outcome of interest: “The primary outcome was any recurrent stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) occurring within 12 months of the index event.”

3. Refine the Methodology Section
Comment: Align the definition of recurrent stroke with established criteria and define all included stroke types.
Response: We have revised the Methods section to define recurrent stroke according to the criteria by Coull & Rothwell (2004), and provided definitions for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke types as used in the data source.
4. Explain the Exclusion of TIA Patients
Comment: Provide a clear rationale for excluding patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Response: Thank you for this point. We have added a sentence to explain that TIA patients were excluded due to the lack of permanent neurological deficits and difficulties in confirming recurrence, which could bias the outcome measurement.
5. Specify Follow-Up Period in Data Collection
Comment: Indicate the duration of follow-up.
Response: The Methods section now specifies that the follow-up period for identifying recurrent stroke was 12 months post-index stroke event.
6. Enhance Table 3 Presentation
Comment:

Include number and percentage of cases by group.
Indicate adjusted variables in the multivariate analysis.
Response: Table 3 has been revised to include both the number and percentage of cases in each category. A footnote has been added to indicate that multivariate analyses were adjusted for age, gender, alcohol consumption, and workplace health support.

7. Improve the Discussion Section
Comment:

Do not overemphasize age-related risk factors unless central to the aim.
Acknowledge possible reasons for non-significant findings.
Response: The Discussion section has been updated to focus more on occupational and lifestyle factors (e.g., alcohol use, sedentary behavior, workplace support) and their implications. We now also acknowledge that non-significant findings may be due to small subgroup sizes or confounding factors.

8. Revise Repetitive Language
Comment: Avoid repetitive use of "Our study" and ensure logical flow between paragraphs.
Response: The manuscript has been revised for smoother narrative flow, and redundant phrasing (e.g., “Our study”) has been reduced. Paragraph transitions were edited to enhance clarity and continuity.
9. Simplify the Conclusion
Comment: Avoid including odds ratios (ORs) in the conclusion. Instead, summarize key findings.
Response: We have revised the Conclusion section to exclude all statistical measures such as ORs. The final paragraph now summarizes the major identified risk factors and highlights their practical relevance for intervention and prevention programs.

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Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

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Reviewer Report

15 Views

26 Feb 2025 | for Version 1

15 Views Cite this report Responses(1)

Approved With Reservations

Some findings in the discussion section could be more critically analysed, linking to existing literature more explicitly.
Ensure that references support all claims made in the manuscript.
More details on how confounders were controlled in the logistic regression analysis would strengthen the methodology section.
Please explain more detail regarding the sampling method .
There are several type of randomization.
Please explain more details the validation process for the questionnaire

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Partly
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Yes
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Partly
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

I cannot comment. A qualified statistician is required.
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Yes
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Stroke , caregiver

Respond to this report

Responses (1)

Author Response

14 Apr 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

We are grateful to Reviewer 2 for the insightful feedback that helped us clarify key aspects of our methodology and discussion.
Methods

Added explanation on how confounding variables were controlled: variables with p < 0.2 in univariate analysis were included in the adjusted logistic regression model.
Clarified that consecutive sampling was used for eligible participants, and random selection was applied only for controls.
Clarified that the study did not use randomization in an interventional sense, but used appropriate random selection methods for observational controls.
Provided details on the questionnaire validation process: literature-based design, expert review, pilot testing, and Cronbach’s alpha reliability scores.

Discussion

Rewrote parts of the discussion to offer more critical reflection and explicitly linked the findings (gender, sedentary behavior, marital status, workplace factors) to existing literature, especially regarding age-specific patterns.

Other Sections

Confirmed that all claims are now supported by appropriate, current references throughout the manuscript.

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Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

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Reviewer Report

24 Views

19 Feb 2025 | for Version 1

Lamia M’barek, Department of Neurology, China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China

24 Views Cite this report Responses(2)

Approved With Reservations

The study is described as a case-control study; however, it includes two groups: patients with recurrent ischemic stroke and those without recurrence. This design aligns more with a cohort study rather than a case-control study.
It may be beneficial to remove the control participants and focus the study on two groups based solely on recurrent stroke status.
Matched Participants: The authors state that patients are matched by age and gender. However, the distribution of gender is not matched (p < 0.05), as indicated in Table 1. Additionally, it would be helpful to present the age of all participants, regardless of group.
The number of patients should be clearly stated in the results section of the abstract.

Results:

There is missing data regarding the mean age and sex ratio of all participants.
Please specify that the odds ratio is adjusted (aOR) and present it in the following format: aOR: ..; 95% CI [..-..]; p: …

Conclusion:

Please cite the major results obtained from the study clearly.

Main text
Introduction:

Could the authors please clarify what they mean by “uncontrolled factors like alcohol consumption, diabetes, and hypertension”? Since these factors are modifiable, do the authors intend to suggest that there is inadequate control of these factors?
The term “working-age adults” should be defined, with references to previous studies in the same area.
The phrase “urban work-related stressors” is unclear and would benefit from further explanation.

Methods:

As previously mentioned in my comments on the abstract, the classification of the study as a case-control study should be reconsidered.
The age range referred to in this paragraph does not match Table 1. Are patients aged 20 to 25 missing, or is there a lack of patients in this age group? This needs clarification.
In the section on setting and sample, what is meant by "any severe complications"? Please specify that hemorrhagic and other cerebral damages are excluded.
The last sentence in this paragraph should be reformulated to emphasize the importance of stroke patients, avoiding the repetition of the phrase "300 patients."
In Figure 1, the label "stroke recurrence > 1" needs clarification. Does the study include only one recurrence? Additionally, Figure 1 would be more appropriately placed in the results section.
When stratifying participants into age groups, could the authors clarify which references they used for this division? This should be detailed in the Methods section.
What is the unit for FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar)? What do “normal,” “medium,” and “high” refer to? These values should be specified in the Methods section.
There seems to be a missing section regarding the follow-up of patients. How were patients followed? What was the duration and what kind of examinations were conducted?
Could the authors further clarify the Data Collection Procedure section? What is the distinction between this section and the Instruments section? Please ensure that there is no repetition between these two paragraphs.

Result:

There is missing data regarding the general population, including the mean age for both groups and the sex ratio. This information should be included for clarity.
The first paragraph lacks clarity; a further simplification is recommended to enhance understanding.
The terms “older workers” and “younger workers” were not defined in the Methods section. All relevant terms should be clearly defined in that section.
Regarding the adjusted odds ratio (aOR), the authors need to specify which factors were used for adjustment. This information should be included in the Methods section and referenced under the corresponding table.

Conclusion

It is essential to summarize the most crucial results of your work. These summaries should be presented concisely. In the conclusion section, ensure that you cite these results, as this will strengthen the credibility of your conclusions and provide a clear link between the findings and the overall message of your paper.

Declarations

The Declarations section appears to be repetitive. According to the journal's recommendations, please ensure that all relevant information is consolidated into a single section in the paper for clarity and compliance.

Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature?

Yes
Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound?

Partly
Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others?

Partly
If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate?

Yes
Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility?

Partly
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results?

Yes

Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Reviewer Expertise

Clinical Research for Neurological Diseases

Respond to this report

Responses (2)

Author Response

23 May 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

We sincerely thank Reviewer 1 for the detailed and constructive feedback, which has been instrumental in improving the clarity and rigor of our manuscript. Below are our point-by-point responses:
Abstract

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.
Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.
Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.
Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.
Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].
Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.
Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.
Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”
Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.
Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.
Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."
Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.
Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).
Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.
Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.
Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.
Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.
Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.
Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.
Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.

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Competing Interests

No competing interests were disclosed.

Author Response

17 Apr 2025

araya chaingkhong, Kuakarun Faculty of Nursing, Navamindradhiraj university, Bangkok, Thailand

We clarified that our study design is a case-control study, based on retrospective outcome status (recurrent vs. non-recurrent stroke), not a cohort design.
Removed the incorrect reference to age/gender matching and revised the methodology accordingly.
Moved the number of participants (100 cases, 200 controls) to the Results section of the abstract.
Added mean age and sex ratio of both groups in the Results.
Reworded odds ratios using adjusted format: aOR; 95% CI [lower–upper].
Revised the conclusion in the abstract to directly cite significant findings.

Introduction

Clarified that “uncontrolled factors” refer to inadequately managed modifiable risk factors.
Defined “working-age adults” as aged 20–60 years and provided references.
Expanded the explanation of “urban work-related stressors.”
Reaffirmed that the case-control approach is appropriate and clearly stated this in the revised manuscript.

Methods

Clarified that the age range discrepancy (20–24) is due to no eligible participants in that group.
Specified “severe complications” as including hemorrhagic stroke, TIA, and other neurological impairments.
Revised the final sentence to avoid redundancy in stating "300 patients."
Clarified Figure 1 to indicate exclusion of >1 recurrence, and moved it to the Results section.
Added references supporting age group classification (early-career: 25–40; mid-to-late-career: 41–60).
Specified that FBS was measured in mg/dL using the oxidase enzymatic method and categorized using ADA guidelines.
Explained follow-up procedures as retrospective record review, not active follow-up.
Differentiated clearly between “Instruments” and “Data Collection” sections.

Results

Added the mean age and sex ratio to improve demographic clarity.
Revised the first paragraph for clarity and readability.
Defined “younger” and “older” workers as “early-career” and “mid-to-late-career,” respectively, in alignment with occupational health literature.
Specified all variables adjusted in the logistic regression model in both the Methods and Table 2 caption.

Discussion and Conclusion

Enhanced the discussion with more critical analysis linking findings (e.g., gender, marital status, workplace support) to relevant literature.
Rewrote the conclusion to summarize the most important results (with aORs) and directly support the study recommendations.

Other Sections

Consolidated the “Declarations” section for clarity and to meet journal requirements.

View more View less

Competing Interests

The authors declare that there are no competing interests.

Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article:

Approved - the paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested

Approved with reservations - A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit.

Not approved - fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions

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Lifestyle and Occupational Factors Associated with Recurrent Stroke among Working-Age Adults in Urban Areas of Thailand

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keywords

Introduction

Methods

Ethical considerations

Setting and sample

Figure 1. Flowchart of data collection process.

Instruments

Data collection procedure

Data analysis

Results

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the study participants (n=300).

Table 2. Logistic regression of predictors for recurrent stroke (n=300).

Table 3. Logistic regression of predictors for recurrent stroke between aged 25-40 years and 41-60 years.

Discussion

Conclusion

Declarations

Ethical considerations

Author contribution statement

Additional information

Data availability statement

Acknowledgement

References

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