Trends in risk factor prevalence and management before first stroke: data from the South London Stroke Register 1995-2011

A scoping review of stroke registers in Sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Stroke registers are recommended as a key priority by the Lancet Neurology World Stroke Organization Commission for Stroke, 2023, and the African Stroke Leaders' Summit, 2022.

AIMS

This scoping review aims to map where stroke registers have been implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The article then compares and critiques the methods and definitions used and summarizes key results from the registers. The scoping review searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CABI Global Health databases and included all studies with a prospective longitudinal design in SSA, where adult acute stroke was the primary condition studied. Articles were screened against inclusion and exclusion criteria independently by two authors.

SUMMARY

We identified 42 unique stroke registers from 48 individual studies. The registers were located in 19 countries, with 19 from East Africa, 15 West Africa, 6 Central Africa, and 2 from Southern Africa. Cumulatively, the registers recruited 12,345 participants with stroke, the median number of participants was 183 (interquartile range (IQR): 121-312), and the range was 50-1018. Only one study was a population-based register, and 41 were hospital-based registers. Of the hospital-based registers, 29 were single site, 10 were conducted at two sites, and 2 at three sites. Twenty-three (54.7%) of the registers were located in the capital city of their respective country, and only one of the hospital-based registers was in a self-described rural area. Length of recruitment ranged from 4 months to 6 years; the median length of recruitment was 12 months. Methodology and definitions were heterogenous between the registers. Only seven (19.4%) registers referenced the WHO STEPwise approach to implementing stroke registers. Twenty-seven (64.3%) registers used the WHO definition of stroke. The mean neuroimaging rate was 84%, and ranged from 0% to 100%. Stroke severity was measured using the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in 22 (52.4%) registers, four registers used the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), two registers used the miniNIHSS, one used the Scandinavian Stroke Scale, one modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and 11 registers did not report a stroke severity measure. Seventeen (40.5%) registers used the mRS to measure function, six registers used Barthel Index alone, and three registers used both mRS and Barthel Index. Only two registers included a quality-of-life measure, the EQ-5D. Eight registers included a quality-of-care measure, and 26 (61.9%) registers recorded socioeconomic status or a socioeconomic status proxy, most frequently educational attainment.

CONCLUSIONS

This scoping review found high heterogeneity of methods and definitions used by stroke registers, with low uptake of the WHO stepwise method of stroke surveillance. A drive to standardize methodology would improve the comparability of stroke data in SSA. The shared use of educational attainment by registers in our review may enable future meta-analyses of inequities in stroke in SSA. Incorporating health-related quality-of-life measures, such as EQ-5D, into stroke registers should be encouraged, bringing a patient perspective, and allow the estimation of quality-adjusted life years lost to stroke. Agreement on a standardized register methodology or further promotion and uptake of the WHO stepwise method is essential to produce comparable data to improve stroke prevention and care.

Trends in surgical procedures for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Japan

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive surgery for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, there are no reports on the recent trends in surgical procedures for spontaneous ICH. To investigate current trends in surgical methods for spontaneous ICH using a nationwide inpatient database from Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery for spontaneous ICH between April 2014 and March 2018 were identified in a nationwide inpatient database from Japan. We examined patient characteristics, diagnoses, types of surgery, complications, and discharge status.

RESULTS

We identified 21,129 inpatients who underwent surgery for spontaneous ICH. The procedures were as follows: 16,256 (76.9%) transcranial hemorrhage evacuations, 3722 (17.6%) endoscopic hemorrhage evacuations, and 1151 (5.4%) stereotactic aspirations of hemorrhage. Patients tended to receive transcranial hemorrhage evacuations in hospitals with fewer surgical cases. The proportions of endoscopic hemorrhage evacuations increased annually, whereas those of stereotactic surgery decreased. The proportions of transcranial surgery remained almost unchanged. Tracheostomy and hospitalization costs were lower in the stereotactic aspirations of hemorrhage group, and the proportions of reoperation were higher in the endoscopic hemorrhage evacuations group.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of endoscopic surgery for spontaneous ICH has increased in Japan. This study can form the basis of future clinical investigations into spontaneous ICH surgery.

Ischemic Stroke With Atrial Fibrillation: Characteristics and Time Trends 2006 to 2017 in the Dijon Stroke Registry

[Figure: see text].

Temporal Trends in Stroke-Related Memory Change: Results From a US National Cohort 1998-2016

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Findings from the Framingham Heart Study suggest that declines in dementia incidence rates over recent decades are partially due to decreases in stroke incidence and mortality; however, whether trends of declining dementia rates extend to survivors of incident stroke remains unclear. We investigated evidence for temporal trends in memory change related to incident stroke in a nationally representative cohort.

METHODS

Adults age 50+ in the HRS (Health and Retirement Study) were followed across three successive 6-year epochs (epoch 1: 1998-2004, n=16 781; epoch 2: 2004-2010, n=15 345; and epoch 3: 2010-2016; n=15 949). Participants were included in an epoch if they were stroke-free at the start of that epoch. Annual rates of change in a composite z-standardized memory score were compared using demographic-adjusted linear regression models for stroke-free participants, those who survived after stroke, and those who died after stroke, considering memory change before stroke, at the time of stroke, and for years following stroke.

RESULTS

Crude stroke incidence rates decreased from 8.5 per 1000 person-years in epoch 1 to 6.8 per 1000 person-years in epoch 3. Rates of memory change before and following stroke onset were similar across epochs. Memory decrement immediately after stroke onset attenuated from -0.37 points (95% CI, -0.44 to -0.29) in epoch 1 to -0.26 (95% CI, -0.33 to -0.18) points in epoch 2 and -0.25 (95% CI, -0.33 to -0.17) points in epoch 3 (P value for linear trend=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreases in stroke-related dementia in recent years may be partially attributable to smaller memory decrements immediately after stroke onset. Findings suggest reductions in stroke incidence and improvements in stroke care may also reduce population burden of dementia. Further investigations into whether temporal trends are attributable to improvements in stroke care are needed.

Trends in ischemic stroke outcomes in a rural population in the United States

INTRODUCTION

The stroke mortality rate has gradually declined due to improved interventions and controlled risk factors. We investigated the associated factors and trends in recurrence and all-cause mortality in ischemic stroke patients from a rural population in the United States between 2004 and 2018.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study based on electronic health records (EHR) data. A comprehensive stroke database called "Geisinger NeuroScience Ischemic Stroke (GNSIS)" was built for this study. Clinical data were extracted from multiple sources, including EHR and quality data.

RESULTS

The cohort included in the study comprised of 8561 consecutive ischemic stroke patients (mean age: 70.1 ± 13.9 years, men: 51.6%, 95.1% Caucasian). Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor (75.2%). The one-year recurrence and all-cause mortality rates were 6.3% and 16.1%, respectively. Although the one-year stroke recurrence increased during the study period, the one-year stroke mortality rate decreased significantly. Age > 65 years, atrial fibrillation or flutter, heart failure, and prior ischemic stroke were independently associated with one-year all-cause mortality in stratified Cox proportional hazards model. In the Cause-specific hazard model, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and age < 65 years were found to be associated with one-year ischemic stroke recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Although all-cause mortality after stroke has decreased, stroke recurrence has significantly increased in stroke patients from rural population between 2004 and 2018. Older age, atrial fibrillation or flutter, heart failure, and prior ischemic stroke were independently associated with one-year all-cause mortality while diabetes, chronic kidney disease and age less than 65 years were predictors of ischemic stroke recurrence.

Measuring stroke outcomes for 74 501 patients using linked administrative data: System-wide estimates and validation of 'home-time' as a surrogate measure of functional status

AIMS

Administrative data offer cost-effective, whole-of-population stroke surveillance yet the lack of validated measures of functional status is a shortcoming. The number of days spent living at home after stroke ('home-time') is a patient-centred outcome that can be objectively ascertained from administrative data. Population-based validation against both severity and outcome measures and for all subtypes is lacking. We aimed to report representative 'home-time' estimates and validate 'home-time' as a surrogate measure of functional status after stroke.

METHODS

Stroke hospitalisations from a state-wide census in New South Wales, Australia, from January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2014 were linked to prehospital data, poststroke admissions and deaths. We correlated 90-day 'home-time' with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, measured upon a patient's initial contact with paramedics and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, measured upon entry to rehabilitation after the acute hospital stroke admission. Negative binomial regressions identified predictors of 'home-time'.

RESULTS

Patients with stroke (N = 74 501) spent a median of 53 days living at home 90 days after the event. Median 'home-time' was 60 days after ischaemic stroke, 49 days after subarachnoid haemorrhage and 0 days after intracerebral haemorrhage. GCS and FIM scores significantly correlated with 'home-time' (P < .001). Women spent significantly less time at home compared with men after stroke, although being married increased 'home-time' after ischaemic stroke and subarachnoid haemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings underscore the immediate and adverse impact of stroke. 'Home-time' measured using administrative data is a robust, replicable and valid patient-centred outcome enabling inexpensive population-based surveillance and system-wide quality assessment.

Collaborative design of a decision aid for stroke survivors with multimorbidity: a qualitative study in the UK engaging key stakeholders

OBJECTIVES

Effective secondary stroke prevention strategies are suboptimally used. Novel development of interventions to enable healthcare professionals and stroke survivors to manage risk factors for stroke recurrence are required. We sought to engage key stakeholders in the design and evaluation of an intervention informed by a learning health system approach, to improve risk factor management and secondary prevention for stroke survivors with multimorbidity.

DESIGN

Qualitative, including focus groups, semistructured interviews and usability evaluations. Data was audio recorded, transcribed and coded thematically.

PARTICIPANTS

Stroke survivors, carers, health and social care professionals, commissioners, policymakers and researchers.

SETTING

Stroke survivors were recruited from the South London Stroke Register; health and social care professionals through South London general practices and King's College London (KCL) networks; carers, commissioners, policymakers and researchers through KCL networks.

RESULTS

53 stakeholders in total participated in focus groups, interviews and usability evaluations. Thirty-seven participated in focus groups and interviews, including stroke survivors and carers (n=11), health and social care professionals (n=16), commissioners and policymakers (n=6) and researchers (n=4). Sixteen participated in usability evaluations, including stroke survivors (n=8) and general practitioners (GPs; n=8). Eight themes informed the collaborative design of DOTT (Deciding On Treatments Together), a decision aid integrated with the electronic health record system, to be used in primary care during clinical consultations between the healthcare professional and stroke survivor. DOTT aims to facilitate shared decision-making on personalised treatments leading to improved treatment adherence and risk control. DOTT was found acceptable and usable among stroke survivors and GPs during a series of evaluations.

CONCLUSIONS

Adopting a user-centred data-driven design approach informed an intervention that is acceptable to users and has the potential to improve patient outcomes. A future feasibility study and subsequent clinical trial will provide evidence of the effectiveness of DOTT in reducing risk of stroke recurrence.

Targeting blood pressure for stroke prevention: current evidence and unanswered questions

High blood pressure (BP) is the leading modifiable risk factor of stroke worldwide. Although randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the beneficial effect of BP reduction on stroke risk, there are still insufficiently explored issues concerning the optimal personalized management of BP in stroke patients in terms of thresholds to be achieved and drug classes to be prescribed. Few data are available about BP control in specific clinical contexts such as in older patients, in various stroke subtypes, or in association with co-morbidities such as diabetes. In addition, although drug trials based their conclusions on achieved mean BP values, recent findings indicate that aspects such as circadian variations of BP and BP variability should be taken into account as well. This article aims to highlight current knowledge about BP control in stroke prevention and to provide new perspectives to be addressed in future studies so as to guide clinicians in their day-to-day practice.

Time Trends in Atrial Fibrillation-Associated Stroke and Premorbid Anticoagulation: Population-Based Study and Systematic Review

Background and Purpose- Prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing, but the impact on overall burden of stroke is uncertain, as is the proportion that could be attributed to under anticoagulation. We did a population-based study of AF-associated stroke and a systematic review of time trends in other stroke incidence studies and of rates of premorbid anticoagulation. Methods- The proportion of incident strokes with associated AF was determined in the OXVASC (Oxford Vascular Study; 2002-2017) and in other prospective, population-based stroke incidence studies published before December 2017. Proportions were pooled by Mantel Haenszel methods, and the pooled percentage of cases with premorbid anticoagulation was determined. Analyses were stratified by the age of study population, mid-study year, country, and ethnicity. Results- Of 1928 patients with incident ischemic stroke in OXVASC, 629 (32.6%; 95% CI, 30.5-34.7) were AF associated, consistent with the pooled estimate from 4 smaller studies over the same study period (608/1948; 31.2%, 30.0-32.4; Phet=0.80). The pooled estimate from all studies reporting premorbid AF over 25 million person-years of observation (1960 onwards; 33 reports) was lower (18.6%, 16.8-20.3) and more heterogeneous (Phet<0.0001), but 62% of heterogeneity was explained by the age of study population, study period, country, and ethnicity. The proportion of incident strokes on premorbid anticoagulation increased over time, both for ischemic stroke in OXVASC (2002-2007: 15.1%, 2008-2012: 19.6%, and 2013-2017: 35.9%; Ptrend<0.0001), and across all studies (P=0.002), but the pooled estimates suggested substantial undertreatment even in the most recent periods (2001-2015: 25.7%, 21.1-30.3 and ≥2010: 31.6%, 18.2-44.9). Conclusions- About 1 in 3 incident ischemic strokes are still AF associated, due partly to low rates of anticoagulation for known prior AF, which therefore represents a major public health opportunity to reduce the burden of stroke.

Clinical and Demographic Characteristics Associated With Suboptimal Primary Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack Prevention: Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Primary prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) is important to reduce the burden of these conditions; however, prescribing of prevention drugs is suboptimal. We aimed to identify individual clinical and demographic characteristics associated with potential missed opportunities for prevention therapy with lipid-lowering, anticoagulant, or antihypertensive drugs before stroke/TIA.

METHODS

We analyzed anonymized electronic primary care records from a UK primary care database that covers 561 family practices. Patients with first-ever stroke/TIA, ≥18 years, with diagnosis between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013, were included. Missed opportunities for prevention were defined as people with clinical indications for lipid-lowering, anticoagulant, or antihypertensive drugs but not prescribed these drugs before their stroke/TIA. Mixed-effect logistic regression models evaluated the relationship between missed opportunities and individual clinical/demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

The inclusion criteria were met by 29 043 people with stroke/TIA. Patients with coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, or diabetes mellitus were at less risk of a missed opportunity for prescription of lipid-lowering and antihypertensive drugs. However, patients with a 10-year cardiovascular disease risk ≥20% but without these diagnoses had increased risk of having a missed opportunity for prescription of lipid-lowering drugs or antihypertensive drugs. Women were less likely to be prescribed anticoagulants but more likely to be prescribed antihypertensive drugs. The elderly (≥85 years of age) were less likely to be prescribed all 3 prevention drugs, compared with people aged 75 to 79 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowing the patient characteristics predictive of missed opportunities for stroke prevention may help primary care identify and appropriately manage these patients. Improving the management of these groups may reduce their risk and potentially prevent large number of future strokes and TIAs in the population.

An Evaluation of the Role of an Intermediate Care Facility in the Continuum of Care in Western Cape, South Africa

Background: A comprehensive primary healthcare (PHC) approach requires clear referral and continuity of care pathways. South Africa is a lower-middle income country (LMIC) that lacks data on the role of intermediate care (IC) services in the health system. This study described the model of service provision at one facility in Cape Town, including reason for admission, the mix of services and skills provided and needed, patient satisfaction, patient outcome and articulation with other services across the spectrum of care.

Methods: A multi-method design was used. Sixty-eight patients were recruited over one month in mid-2011 in a prospective cohort. Patient data were collected from clinical record review and an interviewer-administered questionnaire, administered shortly after admission to assess primary and secondary diagnosis, referring institution, knowledge of and previous use of home based care (HBC) services, reason for admission and demographics. A telephonic questionnaire at 9-weeks post-discharge recorded their vital status, use of HBC post-discharge and their satisfaction with care received. Staff members completed a self-administered questionnaire to describe demographics and skills. Cox regression was used to identify predictors of survival.

Results: Of the 68 participants, 38% and 24% were referred from a secondary and tertiary hospital, respectively. Stroke (35%) was the most common single reason for admission. The three most common reasons reported why care was better at the IC facility were staff attitude, the presence of physiotherapy and the wound care. Even though most patients reported admission to another health facility in the preceding year, only 13 patients (21%) had ever accessed HBC and only 25% (n=15) of discharged patients used HBC post-discharge. Of the 57 patients traced on follow-up, 21(37%) had died. The presence of a Care-plan was significantly associated with a 62% lower risk of death (hazard ratio: 0.38; CI 0.15–0.97). Notably, 46% of staff members reported performing roles that were outside their scope of practice and there was a mismatch between what staff reported doing and their actual tasks.

Conclusion: Clients understood this service as a caring environment primarily responsible for rehabilitation services. A Care-plan beyond admission could significantly reduce mortality. There was poor referral to and poor articulation with HBC services. IC services should be recognised as an integral part of the health system and should be accessible.

Increasing prevalence of vascular risk factors in patients with stroke: A call to action

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate trends in prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse) and cardiovascular diseases (carotid stenosis, chronic renal failure [CRF], and coronary artery disease [CAD]) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the United States.

METHODS

We used the 2004-2014 National Inpatient Sample to compute weighted prevalence of each risk factor in hospitalized patients with AIS and used joinpoint regression to evaluate change in prevalence over time.

RESULTS

Across the 2004-2014 period, 92.5% of patients with AIS had ≥1 risk factor. Overall age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse were 79%, 34%, 47%, 15%, and 2%, respectively, while those of carotid stenosis, CRF, and CAD were 13%, 12%, and 27%, respectively. Risk factor prevalence varied by age (hypertension: 44% in 18-39 years vs 82% in 60-79 years), race (diabetes: Hispanic 49% vs white 30%), and sex (drug abuse: men 3% vs women 1.4%). Using joinpoint regression, prevalence of hypertension increased annually by 1.4%, diabetes by 2%, dyslipidemia by 7%, smoking by 5%, and drug abuse by 7%. Prevalence of CRF, carotid stenosis, and CAD increased annually by 13%, 6%, and 1%, respectively. Proportion of patients with multiple risk factors also increased over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite numerous guidelines and prevention initiatives, prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and drug abuse in AIS increased across the 2004-2014 period. Proportion of patients with carotid stenosis, CRF, and multiple risk factors also increased. Enhanced risk factor modification strategies and implementation of evidence-based recommendations are needed for optimal stroke prevention.

Shaping innovations in long-term care for stroke survivors with multimorbidity through stakeholder engagement

BACKGROUND

Stroke, like many long-term conditions, tends to be managed in isolation of its associated risk factors and multimorbidity. With increasing access to clinical and research data there is the potential to combine data from a variety of sources to inform interventions to improve healthcare. A 'Learning Health System' (LHS) is an innovative model of care which transforms integrated data into knowledge to improve healthcare. The objective of this study is to develop a process of engaging stakeholders in the use of clinical and research data to co-produce potential solutions, informed by a LHS, to improve long-term care for stroke survivors with multimorbidity.

METHODS

We used a stakeholder engagement study design informed by co-production principles to engage stakeholders, including service users, carers, general practitioners and other health and social care professionals, service managers, commissioners of services, policy makers, third sector representatives and researchers. Over a 10 month period we used a range of methods including stakeholder group meetings, focus groups, nominal group techniques (priority setting and consensus building) and interviews. Qualitative data were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically.

RESULTS

37 participants took part in the study. The concept of how data might drive intervention development was difficult to convey and understand. The engagement process led to four priority areas for needs for data and information being identified by stakeholders: 1) improving continuity of care; 2) improving management of mental health consequences; 3) better access to health and social care; and 4) targeting multiple risk factors. These priorities informed preliminary design interventions. The final choice of intervention was agreed by consensus, informed by consideration of the gap in evidence and local service provision, and availability of robust data. This shaped a co-produced decision support tool to improve secondary prevention after stroke for further development.

CONCLUSIONS

Stakeholder engagement to identify data-driven solutions is feasible but requires resources. While a number of potential interventions were identified, the final choice rested not just on stakeholder priorities but also on data availability. Further work is required to evaluate the impact and implementation of data-driven interventions for long-term stroke survivors.

Trends in the prevalence and management of pre-stroke atrial fibrillation, the South London Stroke Register, 1995-2014

Background

Previous studies have found low use of anticoagulation prior to stroke, in people with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study examined data on patients with AF-related stroke from a population-based stroke register, and sought to examine changes in management of AF prior to stroke, and reasons for suboptimal treatment, in those who were known to be at a high risk of stroke.

Methods

The South London Stroke Register (SLSR) is an ongoing population-based register recording first-in-a-lifetime stroke. Trends in the prevalence of AF, and antithrombotic medication prescribed before the stroke, were investigated from 1995 to 2014. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the factors associated with appropriate management.

Results

Of the 5041 patients on the register, 816 (16.2%) were diagnosed with AF before their stroke. AF related stroke increased substantially among Black Carribean and Black African patients, comprising 5% of the overall cohort in 1995–1998, increasing to 25% by 2011–2014 (p<0.001). Anticoagulant prescription in AF patients at high-risk of stroke (CHADS2 score [> = 2]) increased from 9% (1995–1998) to 30% (2011–2014) (p<0.001). Antiplatelet prescription was more commonly prescribed throughout all time periods (43% to 64% of high-risk patients.) Elderly patients (>65) were significantly less likely to be prescribed an anticoagulant, with ethnicity, gender and deprivation showing no association with anticoagulation.

Conclusions

Most AF-related strokes occurred in people who could have been predicted to be at high risk before their stroke, yet were not prescribed optimal preventative treatment. The elderly,despite being at highest stroke risk, were rarely prescribed anticoagulants.

The effects of socioeconomic status on stroke risk and outcomes

The latest evidence on socioeconomic status and stroke shows that stroke not only disproportionately affects low-income and middle-income countries, but also socioeconomically deprived populations within high-income countries. These disparities are reflected not only in risk of stroke but also in short-term and long-term outcomes after stroke. Increased average levels of conventional risk factors (eg, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle) in populations with low socioeconomic status account for about half of these effects. In many countries, evidence shows that people with lower socioeconomic status are less likely to receive good-quality acute hospital and rehabilitation care than people with higher socioeconomic status. For clinical practice, better implementation of well established treatments, effective management of risk factors, and equity of access to high-quality acute stroke care and rehabilitation will probably reduce inequality substantially. Overcoming barriers and adapting evidence-based interventions to different countries and health-care settings remains a research priority.

Association between socioeconomic deprivation and functional impairment after stroke: the South London Stroke Register

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Previous findings of the association between socioeconomic deprivation and functional impairment after stroke are inconsistent. There is a lack of data on long-term association. We assessed the association and differences by age, sex, prestroke comorbidities, and stroke phenotypes.

METHODS

We examined data from the South London Stroke Register cohort of 1995 to 2011, recording all first-ever strokes in patients of all ages in South London. A total of 2104 patients were alive at 3 months after stroke. Socioeconomic deprivation was measured using the index of multiple deprivation based on patient postcodes, and functional impairment after stroke was defined as a Barthel index of <15.

RESULTS

At 3 months after stroke, 643 patients had functional impairment (30.6%; 95% confidence interval, 28.6%-32.5%). Compared with the first quartile of index of multiple deprivation (the least deprived), multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for functional impairment in patients with the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.94-1.76), 1.33 (0.97-1.82), and 1.78 (1.31-2.43), overall P=0.004. The association was significant in patients aged ≥65 years (corresponding odds ratios were 1.49 [1.02-2.17], 1.21 [0.83-1.75], and 1.94 [1.34-2.81]; P=0.003); in women, P=0.008, in patients who do not have prestroke comorbidities, P=0.009, and in patients with ischemic stroke, P<0.001, but not significant in their counterpart patients. There were similar patterns of the associations of socioeconomic deprivation with impairment at 3 years after stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant inequalities in short- and long-term functional recovery after stroke. General socioeconomic improvement, targeting groups at high risk of functional impairment is likely to reduce inequality in functional recovery after stroke.

Global epidemiology of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health burden worldwide, and its prevalence is set to increase owing to widespread population ageing, especially in rapidly developing countries such as Brazil, China, India, and Indonesia. Despite the availability of epidemiological data on the prevalence of AF in North America and Western Europe, corresponding data are limited in Africa, Asia, and South America. Moreover, other observations suggest that the prevalence of AF might be underestimated-not only in low-income and middle-income countries, but also in their high-income counterparts. Future studies are required to provide precise estimations of the global AF burden, identify important risk factors in various regions worldwide, and take into consideration regional and ethnic variations in AF. Furthermore, in response to the increasing prevalence of AF, additional resources will need to be allocated globally for prevention and treatment of AF and its associated complications. In this Review, we discuss the available data on the global prevalence, risk factors, management, financial costs, and clinical burden of AF, and highlight the current worldwide inadequacy of its treatment.

Improving anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: observational study in three primary care trusts

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a cause of stroke, and undertreatment with anticoagulants is a persistent issue despite their effectiveness.

AIM

To increase the proportion of people with AF treated appropriately using anticoagulants, and reduce inappropriate antiplatelet therapy.

DESIGN OF STUDY

Cross-sectional analysis.

SETTING

Electronic patient health records on 4604 patients with AF obtained from general practices in three inner London primary care trusts between April 2011 and 2013.

METHOD

The Anticoagulant Programme East London (APEL) sought to achieve its aims through an intervention with three components: altering professional beliefs using new clinical guidance and related education; facilitating change using computer software to support clinical decisions and patient review optimising anticoagulation; motivating change through evaluative feedback showing individual practice performance relative to peers.

RESULTS

From April 2011 to April 2013, the proportion of people with CHA2DS2-VASc ≥1 on anticoagulants increased from 52.6% to 59.8% (trend difference P<0.001). The proportion of people with CHA2DS2-VASc ≥1 on aspirin declined from 37.7% to 30.3% (trend difference P<0.001). Comparing the 2 years before the intervention with the 2 years after, numbers of new people on the AF register almost doubled from 108 to 204.

CONCLUSIONS

The APEL programme supports improvement in clinical managing AF by a combined programme of education around agreed guidance, computer aids to facilitate decision-making and patient review and feedback of locally identifiable results. If replicated nationally over 3 years, such a programme could result in approximately 1600 fewer strokes every year.

Age and ethnic disparities in incidence of stroke over time: the South London Stroke Register

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Data on continuous monitoring of stroke risk among different age and ethnic groups are lacking. We aimed to investigate age and ethnic disparities in stroke incidence over time from an inner-city population-based stroke register.

METHODS

Trends in stroke incidence and before-stroke risk factors were investigated with the South London Stroke Register, a population-based register covering a multiethnic population of 357 308 inhabitants. Age-, ethnicity-, and sex-specific incidence rates with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, assuming a Poisson distribution and their trends over time tested by the Cochran-Armitage test.

RESULTS

Four thousand two hundred forty-five patients with first-ever stroke were registered between 1995 and 2010. Total stroke incidence reduced by 39.5% during the 16-year period from 247 to 149.5 per 100 000 population (P<0.0001). Similar declines in stroke incidence were observed in men, women, white groups, and those aged>45 years, but not in those aged 15 to 44 years (12.6-10.1; P=0.2034) and black groups (310.1-267.5; P=0.3633). The mean age at stroke decreased significantly from 71.7 to 69.6 years (P=0.0001). The reduction in prevalence of before-stroke risk factors was mostly seen in white patients aged>55 years, whereas an increase in diabetes mellitus was observed in younger black patients aged 15 to 54 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Total stroke incidence decreased during the 16-year time period. However, this was not seen in younger age groups and black groups. The advances in risk factor reduction observed in white groups aged>55 years failed to be transferred to younger age groups and black groups.