Medicare claims can identify post-stroke epilepsy

Risk Factors and Temporal Patterns of Poststroke Epilepsy across Stroke Subtypes: Insights from a Nationwide Cohort Study in Korea

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with poststroke epilepsy (PSE) among patients with different subtypes of stroke, focusing on age-related risk and time-varying effects of stroke subtypes on PSE development.

METHODS

A retrospective, nationwide, population-based cohort study was conducted using Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort data. Patients hospitalized with newly diagnosed stroke from 2005 to 2015 were included and followed up for up to 10 years. The primary outcome was the development of PSE, defined as having a diagnostic code and a prescription for anti-seizure medication. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate PSE hazard ratios (HRs), and time-varying effects were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 8,305 patients with ischemic stroke, 1,563 with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and 931 with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were included. During 10 years of follow-up, 4.6% of patients developed PSE. Among patients with ischemic stroke, significant risk factors for PSE were younger age (HR = 1.47), living in rural areas (HR = 1.35), admission through the emergency room (HR = 1.33), and longer duration of hospital stay (HR = 1.45). Time-varying analysis revealed elevated HRs for ICH and SAH, particularly in the first 2 years following the stroke. The age-specific HRs also showed an increased risk for those under the age of 65, with a noticeable decrease in risk beyond that age.

CONCLUSION

The risk of developing PSE varies according to stroke subtype, age, and other demographic factors. These findings underscore the importance of tailored poststroke monitoring and management strategies to mitigate the risk of PSE.

The mortality burden attributable to nontrauma fracture for privately insured adults with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with epilepsy have poor bone development and preservation throughout the lifespan and are vulnerable to nontrauma fracture (NTFx) and post-NTFx complications. However, no studies have examined the contribution of NTFx to mortality among adults with epilepsy. The objective was to determine whether NTFx is a risk factor for mortality among adults with epilepsy.

METHODS

Data from 2011 to 2016 were obtained from Optum Clinformatics Data Mart, a nationwide claims database from a single private payer in the United States. Diagnosis codes were used to identify adults (≥18 years old) with epilepsy, NTFx, and covariates (demographics and pre-NTFx cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer). Crude mortality rate per 100 person-years was estimated. Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined for mortality, comparing epilepsy and NTFx (EP + NTFx; n = 11 471), epilepsy without NTFx (EP without NTFx; n = 50 384), without epilepsy and with NTFx (without EP + NTFx; n = 423 041), and without epilepsy and without NTFx (without EP without NTFx; n = 6.8 million) after adjusting for covariates.

RESULTS

The 3-, 6-, and 12-month crude mortality rates were highest among EP + NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 8.79), followed by without EP + NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 4.80), EP without NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 3.06), and without EP without NTFx (12-month mortality rate = 0.47). After adjustments, the mortality rate was elevated for EP + NTFx for all time points compared to EP without NTFx (eg, 12-month HR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.58-1.85), without EP + NTFx (eg, 12-month HR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.32-1.51), and without EP without NTFx (eg, 12-month HR = 5.23, 95% CI = 4.88-5.60). Stratified analyses showed higher adjusted HRs of 12-month mortality for EP + NTFx for all NTFx sites (ie, vertebral column, hip, extremities), all age categories (young, middle-aged, older), and for both women and men.

SIGNIFICANCE

Among adults with epilepsy and compared to adults without epilepsy, NTFx is associated with a higher 12-month mortality rate. Findings suggest that NTFx may be a robust risk factor for mortality among adults with epilepsy.