Gender differences in stroke incidence and poststroke disability in the Framingham heart study

Sex differences in the symptom presentation of stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis through symptom recognition is vital in the management of acute stroke. However, women who experience stroke are more likely than men to be initially given a nonstroke diagnosis and it is unclear if potential sex differences in presenting symptoms increase the risk of delayed or missed stroke diagnosis.

AIMS

To quantify sex differences in the symptom presentation of stroke and assess whether these differences are associated with a delayed or missed diagnosis.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched up to January 2021. Studies were included if they reported presenting symptoms of adult women and men with diagnosed stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and were published in English. Mean percentages with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of each symptom were calculated for women and men. The crude relative risks (RRs) with 95% CI of symptoms being present in women, relative to men, were also calculated and pooled. Any data on the delayed or missed diagnosis of stroke for women compared to men based on symptom presentation were also extracted.

RESULTS

Pooled results from 21 eligible articles showed that women and men presented with a similar mean percentage of motor deficit (56% in women vs 56% in men) and speech deficit (41% in women vs 40% in men). Despite this, women more commonly presented with nonfocal symptoms than men: generalized nonspecific weakness (49% vs 36%), mental status change (31% vs 21%), and confusion (37% vs 28%), whereas men more commonly presented with ataxia (44% vs 30%) and dysarthria (32% vs 27%). Women also had a higher risk of presenting with some nonfocal symptoms: generalized weakness (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.09-2.03), mental status change (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.22-1.71), fatigue (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.05-1.92), and loss of consciousness (RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.12-1.51). In contrast, women had a lower risk of presenting with dysarthria (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.95), dizziness (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.95), gait disturbance (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.97), and imbalance (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.57-0.81). Only one study linking symptoms to definite stroke/TIA diagnosis found that pain and unilateral sensory loss are associated with lower odds of a definite diagnosis in women compared to men.

CONCLUSION

Although women showed a higher prevalence of some nonfocal symptoms, the prevalence of focal neurological symptoms, such as motor weakness and speech deficit, was similar for both sexes. Awareness of sex differences in symptoms in acute stroke evaluation, careful consideration of the full constellation of presenting symptoms, and further studies linking symptoms to diagnostic outcomes can be helpful in improving early diagnosis and management in both sexes.

[Sex differences in stroke mortality in Thailand : A National cohort study]

BACKGROUND

Over half of the growing global stroke-mortality burden is accounted for by the East-Asian-subcontinent alone. Sex differences in stroke-mortality in the Asian population is yet to be assessed in the literature. We aimed to assess the sex-differences in mortality following stroke in a large cohort of Thai-patients.

METHOD

All stroke admissions between 2004-2015 were included from the Thailand public-health-insurance-database. The association between sex and mortality was assessed in-hospital, at 1 month, 1 year and 5 years, using multivariable Cox-regressions, separately for ischaemic-stroke (IS), haemorrhagic-stroke (HS) and stroke-of-undetermined-type(SUT), adjusting for confounders.

RESULTS

608,890 patients were included: 370,527 patients with IS(60.9%), 173,236 with HS(28.5%) and 65,127 with SUT(10.6%). Women were older than men in all three groups and had higher prevalence of comorbidities. Adjusted hazard-ratios(HRs) of mortality showed women had higher mortality post-IS compared to men (in-hospital: HR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.17-1.23; 1 month: HR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.15-1.20; 1 year: HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.09-1.12 and 5 years: HR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03). Women also had higher mortality after HS (in-hospital: HR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04; 1 month: HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.06-1.10; 1 year: HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.03-1.06 and 5 years: HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.08-1.11), and SUT (in-hospital: HR: 1.04; 95% CI: 1.03-1.06; 1 month: HR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.14-1.27; 1 year: HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.09-1.18 and 5 years: HR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.03-1.10).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to men, women were older at time of stroke-diagnosis and had higher burden of stroke risk-factors. Women also had higher mortality after stroke regardless of stroke-type or duration since stroke-onset. Post-IS, excess stroke-mortality in women was greatest during the in-hospital period, whereas excess stroke-mortality increased with time in women who had HS. No clear relationship was found between duration since stroke-onset and mortality in patients who had SUT.

Sex differences in endovascular thrombectomy outcomes in large vessel occlusion: a propensity-matched analysis from the SELECT study

BACKGROUND

Sex disparities in acute ischemic stroke outcomes are well reported with IV thrombolysis. Despite several studies, there is still a lack of consensus on whether endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) outcomes differ between men and women.

OBJECTIVE

To compare sex differences in EVT outcomes at 90-day follow-up and assess whether progression in functional status from discharge to 90-day follow-up differs between men and women.

METHODS

From the Selection for Endovascular Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke (SELECT) prospective cohort study (2016-2018), adult men and women (≥18 years) with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion (internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery M1/M2) treated with EVT up to 24 hours from last known well were matched using propensity scores. Discharge and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were compared between men and women. Furthermore, we evaluated the improvement in mRS scores from discharge to 90 days in men and women using a repeated-measures, mixed-effects regression model.

RESULTS

Of 285 patients, 139 (48.8%) were women. Women were older with median (IQR) age 69 (57-81) years vs 64.5 (56-75), p=0.044, had smaller median perfusion deficits (Tmax >6 s) 109 vs 154 mL (p<0.001), and had better collaterals on CT angiography and CT perfusion but similar ischemic core size (relative cerebral blood flow <30%: 7.6 (0-25.2) vs 11.4 (0-38) mL, p=0.22). In 65 propensity-matched pairs, despite similar discharge functional independence rates (women: 42% vs men: 48%, aOR=0.55, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.69, p=0.30), women exhibited worse 90-day functional independence rates (women: 46% vs men: 60%, aOR=0.41, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.00, p=0.05). The reduction in mRS scores from discharge to 90 days also demonstrated a significantly larger improvement in men (discharge 2.49 and 90 days 1.88, improvement 0.61) than in women (discharge 2.52 and 90 days 2.44, improvement 0.08, p=0.036).

CONCLUSION

In a propensity-matched cohort from the SELECT study, women had similar discharge outcomes as men following EVT, but the improvement from discharge to 90 days was significantly worse in women, suggesting the influence of post-discharge factors. Further exploration of this phenomenon to identify target interventions is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02446587.

Is the female sex associated with an increased risk for long-term cognitive decline after the first-ever lacunar stroke? Prospective study on small vessel disease cohort

Background

Sex is a significant determinant of survival and functional outcome after stroke. Long-term cognitive outcome after acute lacunar stroke in the context of sex differences has been rarely reported.

Methods

A cohort of small vessel disease (SVD) patients presenting with first-ever acute lacunar stroke and normal cognitive status has been evaluated 4 years after the qualifying event for the presence of cognitive impairment (CI) with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. Differences in baseline clinical and neuroimaging characteristics were compared between sexes in relation to cognitive status.

Results

A total of 124 female and 150 male patients were analyzed. No difference was detected between the groups regarding age (p = 0.932) or frequency of common vascular risk factors (p > 0.1 for all). At the baseline assessment, women had more disabilities compared to men with a mean modified Rankin scale (mRS) score of 2.5 (1.5 in men, p < 0.0001). Scores of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of presumed vascular origin and a total number of lacunes of presumed vascular origin on brain MRI were higher in women compared to men (p < 0.0001 for all). As many as 64.6% of patients had CI of any severity on follow-up, women more frequently (77.4%) than men (54.0%; p < 0.0001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that female sex, higher NIHSS and mRS scores, presence of depression, and increasing WMH severity were associated with an increased risk for CI. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only depression (OR 1.74, 95%CI 1.25-2.44; p = 0.001) and WMH severity (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.03-1.17; p = 0.004) were independently associated with the CI.

Conclusion

At the long-term follow-up, women lacunar stroke survivors, compared to men, more frequently had CI in the presence of more severe vascular brain lesions, but this association was dependent on the occurrence of depression and severity of WMH, and could not be explained by differences in common vascular risk factors.

Stroke Risk in Young Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Propensity-Score-Matched Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Studies on strokes associated with dysmenorrhea are limited. We conducted a propensity-score-matched retrospective cohort study to assess the risk of stroke in women with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).

METHODS

From the claims data of one million people in Taiwan's insurance program, we identified 18,783 women aged 15-40 years, newly diagnosed with PD in 2000-2010, without a history of stroke. We randomly selected a comparison cohort without stroke history and dysmenorrhea, with the same sample size matched by age, index date, and propensity score. We began a follow-up with individuals one year after cohort entry to the end of 2013 to capture stroke events.

RESULTS

The two study cohorts were well-matched for age and comorbidities, with 54% of women aged 15-24. Stroke incidence was 1.5-fold higher in the PD cohort than in the comparison cohort (6.05 vs. 4.01 per 10,000 person-years, or 99 vs. 65 cases), with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.51 (95%CI 1.11-2.06) after adjustment for matched pairs. Nearly 70% of strokes were ischemic strokes, which occurred 1.6 times more frequently in the PD cohort than in the comparison cohort (4.40 vs. 2.71 per 10,000 person-years, or 72 vs. 44 cases), aHR = 1.61 (95% CI 1.11-2.33), after adjustment for matched pairs. The incidence of hemorrhagic stroke was also higher in the PD cohort than in the comparison cohort (1.65 vs. 1.29 per 10,000 person-years, or 27 versus 21 cases), but the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSION

Women of reproductive age with PD are at increased risk for ischemic stroke.

Cost-Effectiveness of Endovascular Treatment in Large Vessel Occlusion Stroke With Mild Prestroke Disability: Results From the HERMES Collaboration

BACKGROUND

The clinical and economic benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) in addition to best medical management in patients with stroke with mild preexisting symptoms/disability is not well studied. We aimed to investigate cost-effectiveness of EVT in patients with large vessel occlusion and mild prestroke symptoms/disability, defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 1 or 2.

METHODS

Data are from the HERMES collaboration (Highly Effective Reperfusion Evaluated in Multiple Endovascular Stroke Trials), which pooled patient-level data from 7 large, randomized EVT trials. We used a decision model consisting of a short-run model to analyze costs and functional outcomes within 90 days after the index stroke and a long-run Markov state transition model (cycle length of 12 months) to estimate expected lifetime costs and outcomes from a health care and a societal perspective. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio and net monetary benefits were calculated, and a probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed.

RESULTS

EVT in addition to best medical management resulted in lifetime cost savings of $2821 (health care perspective) or $5378 (societal perspective) and an increment of 1.27 quality-adjusted life years compared with best medical management alone, indicating dominance of additional EVT as a treatment strategy. The net monetary benefits were higher for EVT in addition to best medical management compared with best medical management alone both at the higher (100 000$/quality-adjusted life years) and lower (50 000$/quality-adjusted life years) willingness to pay thresholds. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed decreased costs and an increase in quality-adjusted life years for additional EVT compared with best medical management only.

CONCLUSIONS

From a health-economic standpoint, EVT in addition to best medical management should be the preferred strategy in patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion and mild prestroke symptoms/disability.

Stroke in Women: A Review Focused on Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Outcomes

Stroke is a particularly important issue for women. Women account for over half of all persons who experienced a stroke. The lifetime risk of stroke is higher in women than in men. In addition, women have worse stroke outcomes than men. Several risk factors have a higher association with stroke in women than in men, and women-specific risk factors that men do not have should be considered. This focused review highlights recent findings in stroke epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes in women.

Sex and Gender Differences in Stroke and Their Practical Implications in Acute Care

There are several controversies regarding the role of sex and gender in the pathophysiology and management of acute stroke. Assessing the role of sex, i.e., biological/pathophysiological factors, and gender, i.e., sociocultural factors, in isolation is often not possible since they are closely intertwined with each other. To complicate matters even more, the functional baseline status of women and men at the time of their first stroke is substantially different, whereby women have, on average, a poorer reported/ascertained baseline function compared to men. These differences in baseline variables account for a large part of the differences in post-stroke outcomes between women and men. Adjusting for these baseline differences is difficult, and in many cases, residual confounding cannot be excluded. Despite these obstacles, a better understanding of how patient sex and gender differences influence acute stroke and stroke care pathways is crucial to avoid biases and allow us to provide the best possible care for all acute stroke patients. Disregarding patient sex and gender on one hand and ignoring potential confounding factors in sex- and gender-stratified analyses on the other hand, may cause researchers to come to erroneous conclusions and physicians to provide suboptimal care. This review outlines sex- and gender-related factors in key aspects of acute stroke, including acute stroke epidemiology, diagnosis, access to care, treatment outcomes, and post-acute care. We also attempt to outline knowledge gaps, which deserve to be studied in further detail, and practical implications for physicians treating acute stroke patients in their daily practice.

African Americans and Women Have Lower Functional Gains During Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation After Hemorrhagic Stroke

OBJECTIVE

Intracerebral hemorrhage can lead to significant long-term disability. While research in stroke rehabilitation has focused primarily on ischemic strokes, identifying factors that impact recovery in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage is necessary. Our purpose is to identify factors, including racial and sex disparities, associated with functional outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage patients after inpatient rehabilitation.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with intracerebral hemorrhage admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation facility at an academic tertiary facility in the Southeastern United States from 2016 to 2019. Clinical characteristics, demographics, admission, and discharge Functional Independence Measure scores were collected.

RESULTS

We evaluated 59 patients (54.4 ± 14.1 yrs, 39% females, 48.2% African American) with a median intracerebral hemorrhage volume of 13.4 (4.2-33.0) and a mean (SD) Functional Independence Measure efficiency of 1.8 ± 1.3. In multiple regression, being female was negatively associated with Functional Independence Measure efficiency (β = -1.13, P = 0.0037) when adjusting for race and intracerebral hemorrhage score. The Functional Independence Measure efficiency was lower in African Americans (β = -0.97, P = 0.0119) when adjusting for sex and intracerebral hemorrhage volume.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study indicate that Functional Independence Measure efficiency was worse for African Americans and female patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Future research should consider these racial and sex disparities and focus on providing targeted rehabilitation therapy.

The roles of MMP8/MMP10 polymorphisms in ischemic stroke susceptibility

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS), a multifactorial and polygenic disease, is the most common cause of death. This study aimed to determine the roles of MMP8/MMP10 polymorphisms in IS susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

METHODS

MMP8 rs1940475 and rs3765620, and MMP10 rs17860949 from 700 IS patients and 700 controls were genotyped by the MassARRAY iPLEX platform. The impact of polymorphisms on IS risk was evaluated by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Our study indicated that rs17860949 in MMP10 was significantly associated with a reduced risk of IS (OR = 0.632, p = .002). Precisely, stratification analysis showed that rs17860949 was relate to a decreased susceptibility to IS in patients aged > 55 years (OR = 0.472, p < .001), males (OR = 0.632, p = .012), nonsmokers (OR = 0.610, p = .017), and nondrinkers (OR = 0.559, p = .006). All these significant findings were verified by false-positive report probability test. Furthermore, GG genotype and AG genotype in MMP8 rs3765620 polymorphism were related to a reduced triglycerides concentration (p = .018).

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that rs17860949 in MMP10 may play a protective role in IS in the Chinese Han population.

One-year survival and prognostic factors for survival among stroke patients: The PROVE-stroke study

Background

Survival and prognostic factors following stroke occurrence differ between world regions. Studies investigating stroke features in the Middle-east region are scarce. We aimed to investigate 1-year survival and related prognostic factors of stroke patients in Central Iran.

Materials and Methods

It is an observational analytical study conducted on patients registered in the Persian Registry of Cardiovascular Disease-Stroke (PROVE-Stroke) database. Records of 1703 patients admitted during 2015-2016 with the primary diagnosis of stroke in all hospitals of Isfahan, Iran were reviewed. Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentations, medications, and comorbidities were recorded. The living status of patients after 1 year from stroke was considered as 1-year survival.

Results

Among 1345 patients with the final diagnosis of stroke, 970 (72.1%) were alive at the 1 year follow-up and the mean survival time based on Kaplan-Meier procedure was estimated 277.33 days. The hemorrhagic and ischemic types of stroke were reported in 201 (15.0%) and 1141 (84.8%) patients, respectively. Age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05-1.09), diabetes (HR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.07-2.06), history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (HR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.30-2.52), history of warfarin usage (HR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.11-2.71), hospital complications of hemorrhage (HR = 3.89, 95% CI = 2.07-7.31), sepsis (HR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.18-2.68), and hydrocephalus (HR = 3.43, 95% CI = 1.34-8.79), and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3 at the time of hospital dicharge (HR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.27-3.07), were predictors of 1-year survival.

Conclusion

Predictors of 1-year survival can be categorized into unchangeable ones, such as age, diabetes, previous stroke, and mRS. The changeable factors, such as hospital complications of infection and hemorrhage, guide physicians to pay greater attention to reduce the risk of mortality following stroke.

Incidence, subtypes, sex differences and trends of stroke in Taiwan

BACKGROUND

Chinese populations have been reported higher incidence of all strokes and intracerebral hemorrhage. However, few large-scale studies have evaluated changes of stroke epidemiology in the 21st century.

METHODS

We explored the rates of incidence of all first-ever strokes, subtypes, and 1-month case fatality by using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database since 2004. Also, we investigated sex differences in stroke. Time-trend analysis was performed for incidence and case fatality rates of all strokes and subtypes in both sexes.

RESULTS

The age-adjusted incidence of all strokes per 100,000 person-years decreased by 16%, from 251 (95% confidence interval [CI] 249-253) in 2004 to 210 (95% CI 209-212) in 2011 (p<0.001); it was always higher in Chinese men than in women. Among pathological subtypes, the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage markedly decreased by 26% over the years (p<0.001), while that of ischemic stroke slightly decreased by 8%. However, when stratified by sex, the incidence of ischemic stroke decreased significantly in only women, not in men (men: p = 0.399, women: p = 0.004). Regarding the incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, it remained unchanged. Furthermore, the rate of 1-month case fatality decreased significantly for all strokes in both sexes (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In Taiwan, the incidence rate of first-ever stroke decreased in both Chinese men and women in the early 21st century. Men had a higher incidence rate than women. Furthermore, a marked decrease was noted in the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage, while a slight decrease was noted in that of ischemic stroke; however, the decreased incidence of ischemic stroke was significant in only women.

Sex Differences in Stroke Risk Factors, Clinical Profiles, and In-Hospital Outcomes Among Stroke Patients Admitted to the Medical Ward of Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northeast Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

A stroke is a vascular accident that affects both men and women. The threat of stroke and outcome status differ between the sexes. Such data are lacking in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assessed sex differences in stroke risk factors, clinical profiles, and outcomes in the medical ward of Dessie comprehensive specialized hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was employed among stroke patients. Medical records with complete information and a confirmed diagnosis of stroke using imaging techniques were included in the study. Using simple random sampling, 344 medical records were selected, 312 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and a chi-square test were employed. The frequency, percentage, and mean and standard deviation of the variables were described using descriptive statistics. Findings with a P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Most of the patients were above or equal to 45 years old in both sexes. A significantly higher number of male than female patients were aged less than 45 years (p-value-0.001). Younger age (AOR: 2.998, p = 0.000), cigarette smoking (AOR: 2.911, p = 0.009), and Khat chewing (AOR: 3.650, p = 0.001) were risk factors for stroke in males. A higher number of males presented with hemiplegia/hemiparesis 89 (28.5%), aphasia 45 (14.4%), and facial palsy 19 (6.1%). However, more females were unconscious (15.1%). Significant differences were not seen in the stroke outcomes. Furthermore, there were no apparent differences in risk factors for stroke-related mortality.

CONCLUSION

Males developed stroke at a younger age. Women were older at the time of stroke onset and presented unconscious. More males experienced hemiplegia/hemiparesis, aphasia, and facial palsy. Smoking, drinking, and khat chewing were risk factors for stroke in men. There were no gender differences in the stroke death rate. Therefore, educating the public about stroke risk factors, lifestyle modification, and conducting prospective research is required.

A Review on Therapeutic Potential of Natural Phytocompounds for Stroke

Stroke is a serious condition that results from an occlusion of blood vessels that leads to brain damage. Globally, it is the second highest cause of death, and deaths from strokes are higher in older people than in the young. There is a higher rate of cases in urban areas compared to rural due to lifestyle, food, and pollution. There is no effective single medicine for the treatment of stroke due to the multiple causes of strokes. Thrombolytic agents, such as alteplase, are the main treatment for thrombolysis, while multiple types of surgeries, such ascraniotomy, thrombectomy, carotid endarterectomy, and hydrocephalus, can be performed for various forms of stroke. In this review, we discuss some promising phytocompounds, such as flavone C-glycoside (apigenin-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside), eriodictyol, rosamirinic acid, 6″-O-succinylapigenin, and allicin, that show effectiveness against stroke. Future study paths are given, as well as suggestions for expanding the use of medicinal plants and their formulations for stroke prevention.

The association between changes in proteinuria and the risk of cerebral infarction in the Korean population

BACKGROUND

Proteinuria is a risk factor for cerebral infarction. It is known that proteinuria can change over time. However, published data is scarce for the association between changes in proteinuria and the risk of cerebral infarction.

METHOD

Study participants were 276,861 Koreans who were assessed for urine dipstick proteinuria both in 2003-2004 and 2007-2008. They were categorized into four groups by changes in proteinuria over 4 years (negative: negative → negative, resolved: proteinuria ≥ 1+ → negative, incident: negative → proteinuria ≥ 1+, persistent: proteinuria ≥ 1+ → proteinuria ≥ 1 + ). We used multivariate adjusted Cox-proportional hazard model in calculating the adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cerebral infarction until 2013 according to changes in proteinuria.

RESULT

Adjusted HR and 95% CI for cerebral infarction significantly increased in order of persistent, incident, and resolved proteinuria, compared with negative proteinuria (negative: reference, resolved: 1.166 [1.009-1.347], incident: 1.345 [1.188-1.522], and persistent: 1.443 [1.089-1.912]). In gender subgroup analysis, men showed the more clear association between changes in proteinuria and the risk of cerebral infarction (negative: reference, resolved: 1.284 [1.057-1.560], incident: 1.351 [1.149-1.589], and persistent: 1.428 [1.014-2.012]).

CONCLUSION

All types of proteinuria changes were associated with the increased risk of cerebral infarction, even in participants with once manifested but vanishing proteinuria.

Sex differences in arterial hypertension

There is strong evidence that sex chromosomes and sex hormones influence blood pressure (BP) regulation, distribution of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and co-morbidities differentially in females and males with essential arterial hypertension. The risk for CV disease increases at a lower BP level in females than in males, suggesting that sex-specific thresholds for diagnosis of hypertension may be reasonable. However, due to paucity of data, in particularly from specifically designed clinical trials, it is not yet known whether hypertension should be differently managed in females and males, including treatment goals and choice and dosages of antihypertensive drugs. Accordingly, this consensus document was conceived to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on sex differences in essential hypertension including BP development over the life course, development of hypertension, pathophysiologic mechanisms regulating BP, interaction of BP with CV risk factors and co-morbidities, hypertension-mediated organ damage in the heart and the arteries, impact on incident CV disease, and differences in the effect of antihypertensive treatment. The consensus document also highlights areas where focused research is needed to advance sex-specific prevention and management of hypertension.

Determinants of metabolic syndrome and its prognostic implications among stroke patients in Africa: Findings from the Stroke Investigative Research and Educational Network (SIREN) study

BACKGROUND

The prognostic implications of metabolic syndrome (METS) among African stroke patients are poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of METS and its prognostic implications among Africans with newly diagnosed stroke in the SIREN study.

METHODS

We included stroke cases (adults aged >18 years with CT/MRI confirmed stroke). The validated tools comprehensively evaluated vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors. We used logistic regression to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs for the association between METS and risk factors. We also computed the prediction power of the domain of covariates in a sequential manner using the area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) curve.

RESULTS

Among 3998 stroke subjects enrolled in the study, 76.8% had METS by at least one of the clinical definitions. Factors associated with METS were age > 50 years (OR- 1.46, CI-1.19-1.80), male gender (OR 4.06, CI- 3.28-5.03), income >100USD (OR1.42, CI-1.17-1.71), stress (OR1.46, CI-1.14-1.87), family history of diabetes mellitus (OR1.38, CI-1.06-1.78), and cardiac disease (OR1.42, CI-1.18-1.65). Stroke severity was higher among those with METS (SLS = 5.8 ± 4.3) compared with those without METS (6.2 ± 4.5) at p = 0.037. METS was associated with higher odds (aOR 1.31, CI-1.08-1.58) of one-month fatality after adjusting for stroke severity, age > 50 years, and average monthly income >100USD.

CONCLUSION

METS is very common among African stroke patients and is associated with stroke severity and worse one-month fatality. Lifestyle interventions may prevent METS and attenuate its impact on stroke occurrence and outcomes.

Sex Differences in Functional Capacity in Older Adults With Stroke: An Analysis of Data From the National Health and Aging Trends Study

OBJECTIVE

Women experience greater disability following stroke, but biological sex differences in both overall and specific domains of functional capacity are not well understood. The primary objective of this study was to examine sex differences in overall functional capacity (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] score) cross-sectionally and longitudinally over a 3-year follow-up period. The secondary objective was to determine whether sex differences exist in specific domains of functional capacity of walking speed and lower extremity functional strength.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of data of individuals with stroke from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. For the cross-sectional analyses, general linear models were used to examine differences between 293 men and 427 women in SPPB, walking speed, and the 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5XSST). For the longitudinal analysis, survey-weighted, multivariable-adjusted generalized linear mixed models were used to compare 3-year trajectories in SPPB scores between the sexes (87 men, 153 women).

RESULTS

Women had lower SPPB scores at baseline (difference = 0.9, linearized SE = 0.3) and over 3 years. SPPB scores declined similarly between men and women. Women had lower walking speed (difference = 0.08 m/s, SE = 0.02) as compared with men, but men and women had similar 5XSST scores (difference = 0.6 seconds, SE = 0.5).

CONCLUSION

Older women with stroke have clinically meaningfully lower overall functional capacity as compared with older men but decline at a similar rate over time. Walking speed was lower in older women with stroke, but similar between sexes in 5XSST.

IMPACT

Women with stroke have poorer functional capacity compared with men, which reinforces the importance of targeted stroke rehabilitation strategies to address these sex-specific disparities.

LAY SUMMARY

Women with stroke have poorer outcomes in terms of their ability to move around the community when compared with men. However, both men and women with stroke have similar physical functioning over time.

Sex and gender differences in dementia

The dementia landscape has undergone a striking paradigm shift. The advances in understanding of neurodegeneration and proteinopathies has changed our approach to patients with cognitive impairment. Firstly, it has recently been shown that the various proteinopathies that are the cause of the dementia begin to build up long before the appearance of any obvious symptoms. This has cemented the idea that there is an urgency in diagnosis as it occurs very late in the pathophysiology of these diseases. Secondly, that accurate diagnosis is required to deliver targeted therapies, that is precision medicine. With this latter point, the realization that various factors of a person need to be considered as they may impact the presentation and progression of disease has risen to the forefront. Two of these factors aside from race and age are biological sex and gender (social construct), as both can have tremendous impact on manifestation of disease. This chapter will cover what is known and remains to be known on the interaction of sex and gender with some of the major causes of dementia.

Gender differences in mortality of hospitalised stroke patients. Systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Gender differences in mortality after stroke remains unclear in the current literature. We therefore aimed to systematically review the gender differences in mortality up to five years after ischaemic (IS) or haemorrhagic stroke (HS) to address this evidence gap.

METHODS

The literature was systematically searched using Ovid EMBASE, Ovid Medline, and Web of Science databases, from inception-November 2021. The quality of evidence was appraised using the CASP Cohort-study checklist. Unadjusted and adjusted odds and hazard ratios were meta-analysed, separately for IS and HS and a subgroup analysis of age-stratified mortality data was conducted.

RESULTS

Forty-one studies were included (n = 8,128,700; mean-age 68.5 yrs; 47.1% female). 37 studies were included in meta-analysis (n = 8, 8008, 110). Compared to men, women who had an IS had lower mortality risk in-hospital (0.94; 95%CI 0.91-0.97), at one-month (0.87; 95%CI 0.77-0.98), 12-months (0.94; 95%CI 0.91-0.98) and five-years (0.93 95%CI 0.90-0.96). The subgroup analysis showed that this gender difference in mortality was present in women ≥ 70 years up to one-month post-IS (in-hospital: 0.94; 95%CI 0.91-0.97; one-month: 0.87; 95% CI 0.77-0.98), however, in women < 70 years this difference was no longer present. Nevertheless, analysis of crude data showed women were at higher risk of mortality in-hospital, at 12-months and five-years (in-hospital: 1.05; 95%CI 1.03-1.07, 12-months: 1.10; 95%CI 1.06-1.14, five-years: 1.06; 95%CI 1.02-1.10). After HS, women had higher mortality risk in-hospital (1.03; 95%CI 1.01-1.04) however, no gender differences were found post-discharge.

CONCLUSION

The gender differences in post-stroke mortality differ by stroke type, age group and follow-up. Crude stroke mortality in women is higher than in men and this appears to be driven by pre-existing comorbidities. In adjusted models, women have a lower mortality risk following IS, independent of duration of follow-up. After HS, women had higher mortality in hospital however, no gender differences after hospital discharge were found.

The risk of stroke according to statin medication compliance in older people with chronic periodontitis: an analysis using the Korea National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort Database

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the risk of stroke according to statin medication compliance in older people with chronic periodontitis.

METHODS

Chronic periodontitis patients were extracted from the National Health Insurance Service-Senior Cohort Database from 2002 to 2014. Among 255,056 chronic periodontitis patients, 41,412 patients with statin prescriptions for 28 days or more were included. The study population was divided into the top 25% of medication compliance group (TSG) and the lower 25% of medication compliance group (BSG). After 1:1 propensity score matching was performed, the final number of patients in the BSG and TSG was 6,172 each. To analyze the risk of stroke, a Cox proportional hazard model was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) after adjusting for age, sex, income level, hypertension, diabetes, and Charlson comorbidity index.

RESULTS

In the Kaplan-Meier curve, the disease-free probability was prominently lower in the BSG than in the TSG (p for log-rank= 0.001). The HR in the multivariable-adjusted model for stroke occurrence in the TSG compared to the BSG was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.92; p= 0.002). Subgroup analyses showed significant associations between compliance to statin medication and stroke, especially in female, people 85 years or older, and patients with comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing compliance to statins may reduce stroke risk in older adults with chronic periodontitis. Therefore, in order to increase medication compliance among older people with chronic periodontitis, it is necessary for medical staff to make efforts to provide effective medication guidance.

Characteristics and perioperative complications of hip fracture in the elderly with acute ischemic stroke: a cross-sectional study

Background

Patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after hip fracture in the elderly have worse prognosis. We aimed to describe the characteristics and complications of hip fracture with AIS in the elderly.

Methods

This cross-sectional study selected patients with hip fracture (age ≥65 years) from January 2018 to September 2020. The collected data included age, sex, fracture types, comorbidities. In above screened patients, we further collected cerebral infarction related information of AIS patients. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression was performed to identify the strongest predictors of AIS after hip fracture. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to find independent risk factors for AIS after hip fracture.

Results

Sixty patients (mean age 79.7 years;female 56.7%) occurred AIS after hip fracture in 1577 cases. The most common infarction type was partial anterior circulation infarction (PACI) (70.0%). The majority of these infarction lesions were single (76.7%) and most infarction lesions(65.0%) were located in the left side. 81.7% of AIS patients had mild (Health stroke scale NIHSS <4) AIS. Older patients with AIS after hip fracture were more frequently complicated by hypertension(73.3%), prior stroke (46.7%), diabetes(35.0%) and were more likely to have hypoproteinemia(68.3%), electrolyte disorders ( 66.7%), anemia (65.0%), deep vein thrombosis (51.6%), pneumonia (46.6%),cardiac complications (45.0%). Combined with hypertension (OR 2.827, 95%CI 1.557-5.131) and male sex(OR 1.865, 95%CI 1.095-3.177) were associated with the increased risk of AIS after hip fracture.

Conclusions

Older patients combined with hypertension are more likely to have AIS after hip fracture. For these patients, early preventions should be administered. AIS patients after hip fracture are prone to have multiple complications under traumatic stress, and we should enhance the management of these patients to reduce the stress and avoid occurrence of complications.

Gender Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, and Outcome of Patients Admitted with a Hypertensive Crisis at the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Background. Several recent studies have shown differences in the risk profile and outcome of cardiovascular diseases between men and women, with a dearth of data from African populations. This study aimed to examine gender differences in a group of patients from Cameroon hospitalized with a hypertensive crisis. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study from June 2018 until June 2019. The criteria to define a hypertensive crisis (HC) were systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure should be ≥180/110 mmHg. We compared the clinical presentation and outcome of males versus females. Results. Out of the 1536 patients admitted, 95 (6.2%) had an HC. There were 49 (51.6%) men. There was no significant age difference between men and women (52.7 years vs. 49.3 years, $p=0.28$ ). Alcohol consumption ( $p<0.0001$ ), previous stroke ( $p=0.04$ ), and smoking ( $p=0.03$ ) were significantly higher in men compared to women. Men had a higher proportion of psychomotor agitation ( $p=0.05$ ). There was an equal proportion of men and women with hypertensive emergencies. Although acute left ventricular failure was most frequent in women (46.4% vs 42.9%), cerebral infarction (14.3% vs 17.9%), and acute coronary syndrome (0% vs 7.1%) were higher in men, the differences were not statistically significant (all $p>0.05$ ). Case fatality was also higher in men compared to women but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions. Men admitted for an HC had a significantly higher cardiovascular risk burden and higher psychomotor agitation. However, there were no significant differences in the types of hypertensive emergencies and outcomes between men and women.

Toward a Better Understanding of Sex- and Gender-Related Differences in Endovascular Stroke Treatment: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association

There are many unknowns when it comes to the role of sex in the pathophysiology and management of acute ischemic stroke. This is particularly true for endovascular treatment (EVT). It has only recently been established as standard of care; therefore, data are even more scarce and conflicting compared with other areas of acute stroke. Assessing the role of sex and gender as isolated variables is challenging because they are closely intertwined with each other, as well as with patients' cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds. Nevertheless, a better understanding of sex- and gender-related differences in EVT is important to develop strategies that can ultimately improve individualized outcome for both men and women. Disregarding patient sex and gender and pursuing a one-size-fits-all strategy may lead to suboptimal or even harmful treatment practices. This scientific statement is meant to outline knowledge gaps and unmet needs for future research on the role of sex and gender in EVT for acute ischemic stroke. It also provides a pragmatic road map for researchers who aim to investigate sex- and gender-related differences in EVT and for clinicians who wish to improve clinical care of their patients undergoing EVT by accounting for sex- and gender-specific factors. Although most EVT studies, including those that form the basis of this scientific statement, report patient sex rather than gender, open questions on gender-specific EVT differences are also discussed.

[Incidence and risk factors of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes among urban workers in Beijing, China]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the incidence of ischemic stroke after the onset of type 2 diabetes, and further analyze the risk factors, so as to provide a basis for further research.

METHODS

The data were obtained from the database of the Beijing Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance Database. The study used a prospective design to describe the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes. In our study, these patients were followed up for seven years. Multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

A total of 185 813 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled, with an average age of (58.5±13.2) years, and 49.0% of them were males. A total of 10 393 patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke occurred in 7 years, with a cumulative incidence of 5.6% and an incidence density of 8.1/1 000 person-years. Ischemic stroke occurred in all age groups in patients with type 2 diabetes. The cumulative incidence was 1.5% (95%CI: 1.3%-1.6%) in group ≤44 years old, 3.6% (95%CI: 3.4%-3.7%) in group 45-54 years old, 5.4% (95%CI: 5.2%-5.5%) in group 55-64 years old, and 9.2% (95%CI: 9.0%-9.4%) in group ≥65 years old, and the cumulative incidence increased with age (P < 0.05). Cumulative incidence rate of the males (6.8%, 95%CI: 6.7%-7.0%) was higher than the females (4.4%, 95%CI: 4.3%-4.6%). Among the patients < 80 years old, the cumulative incidence rate of the males was higher than that of the females in all the age groups. In the patients ≥80 years of age, the cumulative incidence was higher in the females (9.2%) than in the males (7.9%). Further analysis revealed that complications, such as coronary heart disease (OR=3.18, 95%CI: 2.72-3.72), heart failure (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.32-1.79) and kidney failure (OR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.20-1.75) were associated with ischemic stroke in the patients with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The incidence level of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes is high. It is necessary to strengthen the management of risk factors in elderly patients, screen the complications of type 2 diabetes as early as possible, and take active preventive and control measures.

[Incidence and risk factors of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes among urban workers in Beijing, China]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the incidence of ischemic stroke after the onset of type 2 diabetes, and further analyze the risk factors, so as to provide a basis for further research.

METHODS

The data were obtained from the database of the Beijing Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance Database. The study used a prospective design to describe the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes. In our study, these patients were followed up for seven years. Multivariate Logistic regression models were used to analyze the risk factors of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

A total of 185 813 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled, with an average age of (58.5±13.2) years, and 49.0% of them were males. A total of 10 393 patients with newly diagnosed ischemic stroke occurred in 7 years, with a cumulative incidence of 5.6% and an incidence density of 8.1/1 000 person-years. Ischemic stroke occurred in all age groups in patients with type 2 diabetes. The cumulative incidence was 1.5% (95%CI: 1.3%-1.6%) in group ≤44 years old, 3.6% (95%CI: 3.4%-3.7%) in group 45-54 years old, 5.4% (95%CI: 5.2%-5.5%) in group 55-64 years old, and 9.2% (95%CI: 9.0%-9.4%) in group ≥65 years old, and the cumulative incidence increased with age (P < 0.05). Cumulative incidence rate of the males (6.8%, 95%CI: 6.7%-7.0%) was higher than the females (4.4%, 95%CI: 4.3%-4.6%). Among the patients < 80 years old, the cumulative incidence rate of the males was higher than that of the females in all the age groups. In the patients ≥80 years of age, the cumulative incidence was higher in the females (9.2%) than in the males (7.9%). Further analysis revealed that complications, such as coronary heart disease (OR=3.18, 95%CI: 2.72-3.72), heart failure (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.32-1.79) and kidney failure (OR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.20-1.75) were associated with ischemic stroke in the patients with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSION

The incidence level of ischemic stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes is high. It is necessary to strengthen the management of risk factors in elderly patients, screen the complications of type 2 diabetes as early as possible, and take active preventive and control measures.

Forty-four-year longitudinal study of stroke incidence and risk factors - the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg

OBJECTIVE

To assess stroke incidence over 44 years and association with risk factors. To study total stroke incidence at 60-82 years of age and risk factors.

DESIGN

Prospective population study.

SETTING

Gothenburg, Sweden, with ∼450,000 inhabitants.

SUBJECTS

A representative sample of a general population of women (1462 in total) in 5 age strata aged 38-60 years in 1968-1969 (the Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, PSWG) were followed up to the ages of 82-104 years in 2012. Further, analysis was also performed for the age interval 60-82 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of total stroke (TS), ischaemic (IS), haemorrhagic (HS), non-specified (NS) and fatal (FS) strokes and association with baseline classic risk factors (such as hypertension, atrial fibrillation, low physical activity, diabetes, high waist-hip-ratio, hyperlipidaemia, smoking), low education, mental stress, pre-eclampsia and oral health as expressed by loss of teeth and bone score. Blood pressure in levels 1-3 according to modern guidelines. Associations with atrial fibrillation, diabetes and myocardial infarction shown in survival analyses. The five cohorts contributed to risk time data concerning associations with TS in the 60-82 age interval from the examination performed when they were 60.

RESULTS

Three hundred and thirty-seven (23%) women had a first-ever stroke, 64 (19%) fatal. TS was associated with physical inactivity, high triglycerides and low education in multivariable analysis. The main sub-type IS was associated with systolic blood pressure, physical inactivity and low education. Pre-eclampsia showed association with IS only in the univariable analysis. FS was associated with systolic blood pressure and smoking. During 60-82 years of age, having <20 teeth (HR 1.74, CI 1.25-2.42), diabetes (HR 2.28 CI 1.09-4.76), WHR (HR 1.29 per 0.1 units CI 1.01-1.63), systolic blood pressure (HR 1.11 per 10 units CI 1.04-1.18) and smoking (HR 1.57, CI 1.14-2.16), were associated with TS in the combined five cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Several classic risk factors showed independent associations with stroke. Vulnerability factors as low education and oral health, reflected by loss of teeth, also showed association with stroke. All these factors are possible to target in primary care preventive interventions.Key PointsStroke is a common disease and the risk of stroke is a key issue demanding preventive strategies in primary health care. The present prospective population study of women showsOut of 1460 women, almost a quarter got a stroke. The stroke incidence 60-82 years of age was rather stable between the first four age cohorts but somewhat lower in the latest cohort, born 1930.Hypertension, low physical activity, low education and high triglyceride levels but not cholesterol were associated with stroke in women.Low education and loss of teeth are vulnerability factors that should need particular attention.

[The effective post-stroke adaptation behavior model requires a family support system]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to explain the effective post-stroke adaptation behavior based on the Roy's adaptation model (RAM) through the patient experiences when undergoing the adaptation process after stroke.

METHODS

This study was qualitative used a phenomenological approach. The participants were patients undergoing post-stroke recovery at home with the following inclusion criteria: post-discharge from the hospital 2-3 months, and in stable medical condition. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. The data analysis was performed through content analysis. We used Lincoln and Guba's criteria to establish the trustworthiness of the study.

RESULTS

Three thematic categories structured the meaning of the stroke survivor's experience: (1) Problems after stroke; (2) Adaptive coping strategies and (3) Effective adaptation response.

CONCLUSION

A thematic analysis integrated with Roy's adaptation model generated an effective post-stroke adaptation model. We recommend the development of a family empowerment intervention framework to improve the adaptation behavior of stroke survivors.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of inpatient stroke patients in Turkey

Objectives

This study aims to assess the stroke rehabilitation facilities provided by university hospitals (UHs) and training and research hospitals (TRHs) and to evaluate the geographical disparities in stroke rehabilitation.

Patients and methods

Between April 2013 and April 2014 a total of 1,529 stroke patients (817 males, 712 females; mean age: 61.7±14.0 years; range, 12 to 91 years) who were admitted to the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics in 20 tertiary care centers were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic, regional and clinical characteristics, details of rehabilitation period, functional status, and complications were collected.

Results

The median duration of stroke was five (range, 1 to 360) months. The ratio of the patients treated in the TRH in the Marmara region was 77%, but only 25% of the patients were living in the Marmara region. Duration of hospitalization was longer in the TRHs with a median of 28 days compared to those of UHs (median: 22 days) (p<0.0001). More than half of the patients (55%) were rehabilitated in the Marmara region. Time after stroke was the highest in the Southeast region with a median of 12 (range, 1 to 230) months and the lowest in the Aegean region with a median of four (range, 1 to 84) months.

Conclusion

This study provides an insight into the situation of stroke rehabilitation settings and characteristics of stroke patients in Turkey. A standard method of patient evaluation and a registry system may provide data about the efficacy of stroke rehabilitation and may help to focus on the problems that hinder a better outcome.

The Impact of Sex and Gender on Stroke

Women face a disproportionate burden of stroke mortality and disability. Biologic sex and sociocultural gender both contribute to differences in stroke risk factors, assessment, treatment, and outcomes. There are substantial differences in the strength of association of stroke risk factors, as well as female-specific risk factors. Moreover, there are differences in presentation, response to treatment, and stroke outcomes in women. This review outlines current knowledge of impact of sex and gender on stroke, as well as delineates research gaps and areas for future inquiry.

Genetic, Molecular, and Cellular Determinants of Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Traits

Despite the well-known sex dimorphism in cardiovascular disease traits, the exact genetic, molecular, and cellular underpinnings of these differences are not well understood. A growing body of evidence currently points at the links between cardiovascular disease traits and the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and metabolome. However, the sex-specific differences in these links remain largely unstudied due to challenges in bioinformatic methods, inadequate statistical power, analytic costs, and paucity of valid experimental models. This review article provides an overview of the literature on sex differences in genetic architecture, heritability, epigenetic changes, transcriptomic signatures, and metabolomic profiles in relation to cardiovascular disease traits. We also review the literature on the associations between sex hormones and cardiovascular disease traits and discuss the potential mechanisms underlying these associations, focusing on human studies.

Sex Differences in Short-term and Long-term Outcomes among Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients in China

Background: Sex differences in stroke outcomes are crucial to secondary prevention but previous reports showed inconsistent results. We aimed to explore the sex differences in stroke outcomes in the Third China National Stroke Registry, a prospective multi-center registry study. Methods: Among the 15166 patients enrolled between 2015 and 2018, 9038 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were included. The primary outcomes were stroke recurrence, mortality, and unfavorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] > 2) at 3, 6, and 12 months. Cox regression model was used for stroke recurrence and mortality and logistic regression was used for the unfavorable functional outcome, and adjusted as follows: (1) Model 1: without adjustment; (2) Model 2: adjusted for potential risk factors, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission, pre-stroke mRS, tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) treatment, TOAST classification, and onset-to-door time; (3) Model 3: adjusted for covariates from model 2 in addition to blood pressure and blood serum covariates. Multiple imputation was used for missing values, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to describe sex differences by age groups. Results: One-third (2802/9038) of the patients were women. Women were significantly older than men (64.78±10.84 vs. 61.26±11.42, p<0.001). In the fully adjusted model, female patients were more likely to have unfavorable functional outcomes at 3 months (odds ratio [OR], 1.28 [1.09, 1.50]), especially among patients aged 65 years or older (OR, 1.39 [1.14, 1.70]), but no difference was discovered in patients aged < 65 years. There were no sex differences in stroke recurrence and mortality at 3, 6, or 12 months or unfavorable functional outcomes at 6 or 12 months after adjustment. Conclusions: Compared to men, women with AIS were less likely to have favorable outcomes at three months in China, especially among those over 65 years of age. Experts should aim to tailor secondary prevention strategies for high-risk patients.

Inpatient rehabilitation of working-age adults with ischemic stroke: comparing men and women clinical and functional characteristics at admission and predicting functionality

INTRODUCTION

The role of gender in functional independence for activities of daily living after ischemic stroke is still controversial. We aim to a) compare clinical characteristics of men and women at inpatient rehabilitation admission b) compare their functional independence at admission and discharge c) identify predictors of functional independence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective observational cohort study. State-of-the-art variables were used for admission and discharge comparisons and to predict total FIM (Functional Independence Measure) at discharge, FIM gain, FIM efficiency and FIM effectiveness using multivariate linear regressions.

RESULTS

144 patients (33% women) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation in a Spanish specialized center, with less than 3 weeks since ischemic stroke onset were included. Men were older (p = 0.039), 19.6% of men had diabetes mellitus (6.4% of women) (p = 0.038), with 52.6% of men being non-smokers (72.3% of women) (p = 0.022). No significant differences were observed in FIM at admission, discharge, FIM gain, efficiency or effectiveness (total, motor either cognitive FIM). Regression analysis identified sex (ß = -0.13), stroke severity (ß = -0.25) and admission total FIM (ß = -0.69) as significant predictors of total FIM gain (R2 = 0.42). The same variables predicted discharge total FIM: sex (ß = -0.12), severity (ß = -0.23) and admission total FIM (ß = 0.59) (R2 = 0.51). FIM efficiency was predicted by admission total FIM (ß = -0.64), severity (ß = -0.24), age (ß = -0.17) and length of stay (ß = -0.45) (R2 = 39.9%). FIM effectiveness model explained only 13.5% of the variance.

CONCLUSIONS

No functional differences between men and women in any independence measure were found. Sex was a significant predictor but leaving half of the variance unexplained.

Sex-differences in psychosocial sequelae after spontaneous cervical artery dissection

Short- to mid-term functional outcome in spontaneous cervical artery dissection is favorable, but the concomitant psychosocial impact is underreported. We aimed to determine these possible sequelae, with a special focus on sex differences, in our cohort of spontaneous cervical artery dissection subjects. During a standardized prospective in-house follow-up visit we, among other values, evaluated functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale [mRS]), psychosocial measures (return to work-, divorce rate) and health-related quality of life (WHO-QoL-BREF and SF-36-questionnaires). 145 patients participated in the long-term prospective follow-up. Median follow-up time was 6.5 years and excellent functional outcome (mRS ≤ 1) was achieved in 89.0% subjects. 87.6% returned to work and 17.6% married patients had a divorce during follow-up. Even though relevant baseline-/discharge characteristics and functional outcome did not differ between the sexes, women were less likely to return to work compared to men (79.7% vs. 93.8%; P = 0.010) and divorce rate was considerably higher in women (30.2% vs. 9.2%; P = 0.022). Health related quality of life did not differ significantly between the sexes, but women consistently reported lower values. Even though functional outcome is beneficial in most patients, measures to prevent poor psychosocial outcome should be considered in the long-term care of patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection, especially women.

WD-40 repeat protein 26 protects against oxidative stress-induced injury in astrocytes via Nrf2/HO-1 pathways

BACKGROUND

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in the world, and no effective treatment has been developed. Oxidative stress-induced cell injury and genomic instability is implicated in the pathogenesis of stroke, whose prognosis remains poor.

METHODS

A model of cerebral ischemic/reperfusion injury model was established through four artery occlusions. This study was carried out using western blot, flow cytometry and RT-PCR on cell line U251-MG. The cytotoxic effect of H₂O₂ and expression of LDH, caspase-3, MDA and SOD was analyzed by assay kit.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of WDR26 was induced in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo and the expression of WDR26 was induced by H₂O₂ in a dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro. WDR26 over-expression significantly suppressed H₂O₂-induced cell death and caspase-3-mediated apoptosis in U251-MG cells. In contrast, inhibition of WDR26 markedly enhanced cell death in U251-MG cells. In addition, WDR26 regulated oxidative stress response and induced Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that WDR26 mediates H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress and cell injury, possibly by reducing the intrinsic apoptotic pathway and activating Nrf2 and HO-1 in astrocytes.

Sex Differences in Cerebral Aneurysms and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Sex differences in cerebral aneurysm occurrence and characteristics have been well described. Although sex differences in outcomes following ischemic stroke have been identified, the effect of sex on outcomes following hemorrhagic stroke, and in particular, aneurysm treatment has been less studied. We describe the current state of knowledge regarding the impact of sex on treatment and outcomes of cerebral aneurysms. Although prior studies suggest that aneurysm prevalence and progression may be related to sex, we did not find clear evidence that outcomes following subarachnoid hemorrhage vary based on sex. Last, we identify areas for future research that could enhance understanding of the role sex plays in this context.

Women With Cerebral Infarction Feature Worse Clinical Profiles at Admission but Comparable Success to Men During Long-Term Inpatient Neurorehabilitation

Objective: Little is known about possible sex and gender differences in post-stroke neurorehabilitation outcomes. We aimed to analyze if functional performance, prevalence and impact of comorbidities at admission, and success of inpatient stroke-neurorehabilitation differ between men and women.

Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of 1,437 men and 907 women with prior cerebral infarction treated at a neurorehabilitation clinic between 2012 and 2017; multiple linear regression was used to examine the influence of sex/gender as well as multiple confounders on health and functional outcomes. The main outcome measures were Barthel index (BI) at admission and its change during 4 weeks inpatient neurorehabilitation.

Results: Men had been diagnosed with osteoporosis less frequently than women but more often with type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery or chronic kidney disease (p ≤ 0.01). Although twice as many women presented with pre-stroke depression compared to men, the risk of post-stroke depression detected during rehabilitation was comparable. Men were more likely to have less than 30 days between diagnosis and neurorehabilitation start than women (p < 0.03). At admission, women exhibited less autonomy, a lower BI, a higher pain score and worse 2-min walk test (2′WT) compared to men (p < 0.001). Among males osteoporosis and peripheral artery disease independently predicted BI at admission, in women it was pre-stroke depression, dementia, and arterial fibrillation. During neurorehabilitation, both sexes improved regarding BI, pain and walk tests (p < 0.001). Despite comparable rehabilitation effectiveness, women still had worse functional outcomes than males at discharge. Time after stroke to start of neurorehabilitation and length of the stay but, most strongly, the simple 2′WT at admission, and in women, pain intensity independently predicted post-stroke functional status and recovery.

Conclusion: Women presented with worse functional status at admission to neurorehabilitation. Although men and women showed similar rehabilitation effectiveness, women still displayed worse clinical outcome measures and higher levels of pain at discharge. Early access and gender-sensitive, personalized post-stroke care with more focus on different comorbidities and psychosocial factors like pain levels and management, could further improve neurorehabilitation outcomes.

Twenty-Year Change in Severity and Outcome of Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes

Question

Did the initial neurological severity and functional outcomes of patients with stroke change throughout a 20-year period?

Findings

In this hospital-based, multicenter, prospective registry involving 183 080 patients with acute stroke, initial neurological severity showed a decrease over time in all stroke types. Functional outcome at hospital discharge improved in patients with ischemic stroke but no longer showed improvement after adjustment by reperfusion therapy and others; it did not clearly improve in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.

Meaning

Twenty-year changes in functional outcomes after ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes showed different trends presumably partly owing to differences in the development of acute therapeutic strategies.

Importance

Whether recent changes in demographic characteristics and therapeutic technologies have altered stroke outcomes remains unknown.

Objective

To determine secular changes in initial neurological severity and short-term functional outcomes of patients with acute stroke by sex using a large population.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This nationwide, hospital-based, multicenter, prospective registry cohort study used the Japan Stroke Data Bank and included patients who developed acute stroke from January 2000 through December 2019. Patients with stroke, including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, who registered within 7 days after symptom onset were studied. Modified Rankin Scale scores were assessed at hospital discharge for all patients.

Exposure

Time.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Initial severity was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale for ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage and by the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grading for subarachnoid hemorrhage. Outcomes were judged as favorable if the modified Rankin Scale score was 0 to 2 and unfavorable if 5 to 6.

Results

Of 183 080 patients, 135 266 (53 800 women [39.8%]; median [IQR] age, 74 [66-82] years) developed ischemic stroke, 36 014 (15 365 women [42.7%]; median [IQR] age, 70 [59-79] years) developed intracerebral hemorrhage, and 11 800 (7924 women [67.2%]; median [IQR] age, 64 [53-75] years) developed subarachnoid hemorrhage. In all 3 stroke types, median ages at onset increased, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and World Federation of Neurological Surgeons scores decreased throughout the 20-year period on multivariable analysis. In ischemic stroke, the proportion of favorable outcomes showed an increase over time after age adjustment (odds ratio [OR], 1.020; 95% CI, 1.015-1.024 for women vs OR, 1.015; 95% CI, 1.011-1.018 for men) but then stagnated, or even decreased in men, on multivariate adjustment including reperfusion therapy (OR, 0.997; 95% CI, 0.991-1.003 for women vs OR, 0.990; 95% CI, 0.985-0.994 for men). Unfavorable outcomes and in-hospital deaths decreased in both sexes. In intracerebral hemorrhage, favorable outcomes decreased in both sexes, and unfavorable outcomes and deaths decreased only in women. In subarachnoid hemorrhage, the proportion of favorable outcomes was unchanged, and that of unfavorable outcomes and deaths decreased in both sexes.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, functional outcomes improved in patients with ischemic stroke during the past 20 years in both sexes presumably partly owing to the development of acute reperfusion therapy. The outcomes of patients with hemorrhagic stroke did not clearly improve in the same period.

Sexual dimorphism in the cerebrovascular network: Brain MRI shows lower arterial density in women

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Accumulating evidence suggests that there is a sexual dimorphism in brain health, with women exhibiting greater disability following strokes of comparable size and having a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment later in life. Despite the critical implication of the cerebrovascular architecture in brain perfusion and brain health, it remains unclear whether structural differences in vessel density exist across the sexes.

METHODS

In this study, we used high-density MRI imaging to characterize the intracerebral arterial and venous density of 28 (14 women) sex-matched healthy young volunteers in vivo. Using an in-house vessel segmentation algorithm, we quantified and compared these vascular features across the cortical and subcortical deep gray matter, white matter, and periventricular white matter.

RESULTS

We found that, on average, women have reduced intracerebral arterial density in comparison to men (F 2.34 ± 0.48%, M 2.67 ± 0.39%; p<.05). This difference was most pronounced in the subcortical deep gray matter (F 1.78 ± 0.53%, M 2.38 ± 0.82%; p<.05) and periventricular white matter (F 0.68 ± 0.15%, M 1.14 ± 0.33%; p<.0005), indicating a potential sex-specific vulnerability to hypoperfusion in areas critical to core cerebral functions. In contrast, venous density did not exhibit a significant difference between sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

While this research remains exploratory, it raises important pathophysiological considerations for brain health, adverse cerebrovascular events, and dementia across the sexes. Our findings also highlight the need to take into account sex differences when investigating cerebral characteristics in humans.

The influence of sex on ischemic stroke incidence, therapeutic procedures and in-hospital mortality: Results of the Spanish National Hospital Discharge

BACKGROUND

Previous research has revealed sex-related differences in outcomes for people admitted to hospitals for ischemic stroke. We aimed to analyse the incidence, use of invasive procedures and in-hospital outcomes of ischemic stroke in Spain (2016-2018) using the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database. We sought sex-related differences in incidence and in-hospital outcomes over time.

METHODS

We estimated the incidence of ischemic stroke in men and women. We analysed comorbidities (Charlson's comorbidity index, cardiovascular risk factors, alcohol abuse and atrial fibrillation), procedures (mechanical ventilation, endovascular thrombectomy and thrombolytic therapy) and outcomes. We matched each woman with a man with identical age, type of ischemic stroke and year of hospitalisation. We built Poisson regression models to obtain adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs). We tested in-hospital mortality (IHM) with logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Ischemic stroke was coded in 172 255 patients aged ≥35 years (92 524 men 53.7%). Men showed higher incidence rates (216.9 vs. 172.3/10⁵ ; P < .001; IRR = 1.57 (95% CI:1.55-1.59) than women. After matching, the use of endovascular thrombectomy (5.1% vs. 4.0%; P < .001) and thrombolytic therapy (7.6% vs. 6.8%; P < .001) was higher among women. IHM was significantly higher in women than in matched men (11.2% vs. 10.4%; P < .001). Women had a lower IHM than matched men when endovascular thrombectomy (9.4% vs. 12.1%; P = .001) or thrombolytic therapy (6.7% vs. 8.3%; P = .003) was coded. Patients of both sexes admitted for ischemic stroke who received thrombolytic therapy had lower IHM (OR = 0.76; 95% CI:0.68-0.85 among men; and OR = 0.58; 95% CI:0.52-0.64 among women), but endovascular thrombectomy was associated with a lower IHM only among women (OR = 0.58; 95% CI:0.51-0.66). After multivariable adjusting, women admitted to the hospital for ischemic stroke had a significantly higher IHM than men (OR = 1.16; 95% CI:1.12-1.21).

CONCLUSION

Men had higher incidence rates of ischemic stroke than women. Women more often underwent thrombolytic therapy and endovascular thrombectomy but had a higher IHM.

Long-Term Trends in Stroke Management and Burden Among Low-Income Women in a Rural Area From China (1992-2019): A Prospective Population-Based Study

Although an increasing number of studies are considering sex-related differences in stroke burden, the trends in stroke burden and management among women in China, especially among low-income women, remain unclear. This study evaluated the long-term trends in stroke management and burden among low-income Chinese women during the period between 1992 and 2019. Stroke burden was assessed using the age-adjusted incidence of first-ever stroke, whereas stroke management was assessed using the rates of neuroimaging diagnoses, hospitalizations, case fatalities, and stroke recurrence. Stroke burden and management were analyzed during four study periods: 1992–1998, 1999–2004, 2005–2012, and 2013–2019. During the 193,385 person-years of surveillance in this study, 597 female stroke patients were identified. The stroke incidences per 100,000 person-years were 88.1 cases during 1992–1998, 145.4 cases during 1999–2004, 264.3 cases during 2005–2012, and 309.8 cases during 2013–2019 (P < 0.001). Between 1992 and 2019, the incidence of stroke significantly increased (6.4% annually) as did the incidence of ischemic stroke (7.8% annually; both, P < 0.001). The rates of neuroimaging diagnoses and hospitalizations significantly increased during the four periods, while the case fatality rates and 1-year recurrence rates decreased significantly for both overall strokes and ischemic strokes, especially among patients ≥45 years old (all, P < 0.001). Among low-income women in China, stroke management is gradually improving, despite the increasing stroke burden. Thus, improved healthcare coverage is needed to further reduce the stroke burden among low-income Chinese women.

Women and Stroke: Different, yet Similar

BACKGROUND

The impact of gender on acute ischemic stroke, in terms of presentation, severity, etiology, and outcome, is increasingly getting recognized. Here, we analyzed the gender-related differences in etiology and outcome of ischemic stroke in South India.

METHODS

Patients with first ever ischemic stroke within 1 week of onset presenting to the Comprehensive Stroke Care Centre, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, India, were included in our study. Clinical and risk factor profile was documented. The stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at onset, and stroke subtype classification was done using Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Ischemic Stroke criteria. The 3-month functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) with excellent outcome defined as an mRS ≤2.

RESULTS

Of the 742 patients, 250 (33.7%) were females. The age, clinical profile, and rate of reperfusion therapies did not differ between the genders. Women suffered more severe strokes (mean NIHSS 9.5 vs. 8.4, p = 0.03). While large artery atherosclerosis was more common in men (21.3% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.03), cardioembolic strokes secondary to rheumatic heart disease were more common in women (27.2% vs. 19.7%, p = 0.02). Men had a better 3-month functional outcome compared to women (68.6% vs. 61.2%, p = 0.04), but was not statistically significant after adjusting for confounders.

CONCLUSION

Our data, from a single comprehensive stroke unit from South India, suggest that stroke in women are different, yet similar in many ways to men. Guideline-based treatment can result in comparable short-term outcomes, irrespective of admission stroke severity.

Sex differences in recovery of motor function in a rhesus monkey model of cortical injury

BACKGROUND

Stroke disproportionately affects men and women, with women over 65 years experiencing increased severity of impairment and higher mortality rates than men. Human studies have explored risk factors that contribute to these differences, but additional research is needed to investigate how sex differences affect functional recovery and hence the severity of impairment. In the present study, we used our rhesus monkey model of cortical injury and fine motor impairment to compare sex differences in the rate and degree of motor recovery following this injury.

METHODS

Aged male and female rhesus monkeys were trained on a task of fine motor function of the hand before undergoing surgery to produce a cortical lesion limited to the hand area representation of the primary motor cortex. Post-operative testing began two weeks after the surgery and continued for 12 weeks. All trials were video recorded and latency to retrieve a reward was quantitatively measured to assess the trajectory of post-operative response latency and grasp pattern compared to pre-operative levels.

RESULTS

Postmortem analysis showed no differences in lesion volume between male and female monkeys. However, female monkeys returned to their pre-operative latency and grasp patterns significantly faster than males.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate the need for additional studies to further investigate the role of estrogens and other sex hormones that may differentially affect recovery outcomes in the primate brain.

Cortical superficial siderosis in the general population: The Framingham Heart and Rotterdam studies

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to characterize cortical superficial siderosis, its determinants and sequel, in community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

The sample consisted of Framingham (n = 1724; 2000-2009) and Rotterdam (n = 4325; 2005-2013) study participants who underwent brain MRI. In pooled individual-level analysis, we compared baseline characteristics in patients with cortical superficial siderosis to two reference groups: (i) persons without hemorrhagic MRI markers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (no cortical superficial siderosis and no microbleeds) and (ii) those with presumed cerebral amyloid angiopathy based on the presence of strictly lobar microbleeds but without cortical superficial siderosis.

RESULTS

Among a total of 6049 participants, 4846 did not have any microbleeds or cortical superficial siderosis (80%), 401 had deep/mixed microbleeds (6.6%), 776 had strictly lobar microbleeds without cortical superficial siderosis (12.8%) and 26 had cortical superficial siderosis with/without microbleeds (0.43%). In comparison to participants without microbleeds or cortical superficial siderosis and to those with strictly lobar microbleeds but without cortical superficial siderosis, participants with cortical superficial siderosis were older (OR 1.09 per year, 95% CI 1.05, 1.14; p < 0.001 and 1.04, 95% CI 1.00, 1.09; p = 0.058, respectively), had overrepresentation of the APOE ɛ4 allele (5.19, 2.04, 13.25; p = 0.001 and 3.47, 1.35, 8.92; p = 0.01), and greater prevalence of intracerebral hemorrhage (72.57, 9.12, 577.49; p < 0.001 and 81.49, 3.40, >999.99; p = 0.006). During a mean follow-up of 5.6 years, 42.4% participants with cortical superficial siderosis had a stroke (five intracerebral hemorrhage, two ischemic strokes and four undetermined strokes), 19.2% had transient neurological deficits and 3.8% developed incident dementia.

CONCLUSION

Our study adds supporting evidence to the association between cortical superficial siderosis and cerebral amyloid angiopathy within the general population. Community-dwelling persons with cortical superficial siderosis may be at high risk for intracerebral hemorrhage and future neurological events.

Incidence and Outcomes of Hemorrhagic Stroke among Adults in Spain (2016-2018) According to Sex: A Retrospective, Cohort, Observational, Propensity Score Matched Study

(1) Background: We aim to analyze sex differences in the incidence, clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of hemorrhagic stroke (HS) in Spain (2016–2018) using the National Hospital Discharge Database. (2) Methods: Retrospective, cohort, observational study. We estimated the incidence of HS in men and women. We analyzed comorbidity, treatments, procedures, and hospital outcomes. We matched each woman with a man by age, type of HS and medical conditions using propensity score matching. (3) Results: HS was coded in 57,227 patients aged ≥18 years (44.3% women). Overall, men showed higher incidence rates (57.3/10⁵ vs. 43.0/10⁵; p < 0.001; IRR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.38–1.83). Women suffered more subarachnoid hemorrhages (25.2% vs. 14.6%), whereas men more often had intracerebral hemorrhages (55.7% vs. 54.1%). In-hospital mortality (IHM) was higher for intracerebral hemorrhage in both men and women. Women underwent decompressive craniectomy less often than men (5.0% vs. 6.2%; p < 0.001). After matching, IHM among women was higher (29.0% vs. 23.7%; p < 0.001). Increments in age, comorbidity and use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents prior to hospitalization were associated were higher IHM, and decompressive craniectomy was associated with lower IHM in both sexes. After multivariable adjustment, women had higher IHM (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.18–1.28). (4) Conclusion: Men had higher incidence rates of HS than women. Women less often underwent decompressive craniectomy. IHM was higher among women admitted for HS than among men.

Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Use and Outcomes of Endovascular Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Racial and socioeconomic disparities in the incidence, treatment, and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke exist and have been described. We aimed to characterize disparities in the use of endovascular thrombectomy in a nationally representative analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Discharge data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2006 and 2016 were queried using validated International Classification of Disease codes. Patients admitted to US hospitals with acute ischemic stroke were included and stratified on the basis of race, income, and primary payer. Trends in endovascular thrombectomy use, good outcome (discharge to home/acute rehabilitation), and poor outcome (discharge to skilled nursing facility, hospice, in-hospital mortality) were studied using univariate and multivariable analyses.

RESULTS

In this analysis of 1,322,162 patients, endovascular thrombectomy use increased from 53/111,829 (0.05%) to 3054/146,650 (2.08%) between 2006 and 2016, respectively. Less increase was observed in black patients from 4/12,733 (0.03%) to 401/23,836 (1.68%) and those in the lowest income quartile from 10/819 (0.03%) to 819/44,984 (1.49%). Greater increase was observed in the highest income quartile from 18/22,138 (0.08%) to 669/27,991 (2.39%). Black race predicted less endovascular thrombectomy use (OR = 0.79; 95% CI, 0.72-0.86). The highest income group predicted endovascular thrombectomy use (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.13-1.36) as did private insurance (OR = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.23-1.38). High income predicted good outcome (OR = 1.10; 95% CI. 1.06-1.14), as did private insurance (OR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.31-1.39). Black race predicted poor outcome (OR = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.30-1.36). All results were statistically significant (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a widespread increase in endovascular thrombectomy use, black and low-income patients may be less likely to receive endovascular thrombectomy. Future effort should attempt to better understand the causes of these disparities and develop strategies to ensure equitable access to potentially life-saving treatment.

Oral Anticoagulants in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Recent Stroke Who Are Dependent on the Daily Help of Others

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) versus vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with stroke attributable to atrial fibrillation (AF) who were dependent on the daily help of others at hospital discharge are scarce.

METHODS

Based on prospectively obtained data from the observational Novel-Oral-Anticoagulants-in-Ischemic-Stroke-Patients-longterm registry from Basel, Switzerland, we compared the occurrence of the primary outcome-the composite of recurrent ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and all-cause death-among consecutive patients with AF-stroke treated with either VKAs or DOACs between patients dependent (defined as modified Rankin Scale score, 3-5) and patients independent at discharge. We used simple, adjusted, and weighted Cox proportional hazards regression to account for potential confounders.

RESULTS

We analyzed 801 patients (median age 80 years, 46% female), of whom 391 (49%) were dependent at discharge and 680 (85%) received DOACs. Over a total follow-up of 1216 patient-years, DOAC- compared to VKA-treated patients had a lower hazard for the composite outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.58 [95% CI, 0.42-0.81]), as did independent compared to dependent patients (HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.40-0.71]). There was no evidence that the effect of anticoagulant type (DOAC versus VKA) on the hazard for the composite outcome differed between dependent (HR_dependent, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.45-1.01]) and independent patients (HR_independent, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.26-0.75]) in the simple model (P_interaction=0.212). Adjusted (HR_dependent, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.49-1.11] and HR_independent, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.30-0.87]; P_interaction=0.284) and weighted models (HR_dependent, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.48-1.31] and HR_independent, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.26-0.81]; P_interaction=0.163) yielded concordant results. Secondary analyses focusing on the individual components of the composite outcome were consistent to the primary analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation with a recent stroke were maintained among patients who were dependent on the help of others at discharge.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03826927.