Loss of the Mexican American survival advantage after ischemic stroke

Novel metrics of sleep-disordered breathing are associated with outcome after ischemic stroke

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND

Standard measures of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) that rely on count data may not sufficiently capture SDB severity or reflect downstream consequences of SDB. We hypothesized that novel metrics derived from pulse rate, oxygen saturation, and nasal pressure would be associated with stroke outcomes.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Shortly after ischemic stroke, participants in a population-based study were offered ApneaLink Plus testing. Signal analysis was used to generate 166 metrics from the nasal pressure cannula and finger probe, categorized as: autonomic (based on pulse rate variability), oximetry-derived, nasal pressure-derived, and mixed oxygen and nasal pressure-derived measures. Three-month outcome assessments included functional and cognitive outcomes and stroke recurrence. Tobit regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between each sleep apnea metric and the three outcomes, unadjusted and adjusted for multiple potential confounders. Models were adjusted for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Of the 530 participants, the median age was 65 (IQR: 57, 73), 49 % were female, and 64 % were Mexican American. Without covariate adjustment, 23 of 166 variables were associated with functional outcome, 43 were associated with cognitive outcome, and 1 was associated with stroke recurrence. After adjustment, 7 mixed, oximetry, or nasal pressure-based metrics and 1 autonomic metric were associated with functional outcome, but none was associated with cognitive outcome or stroke recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Many novel metrics of SDB were associated with important stroke outcomes, and 8 novel metrics were associated with functional outcome in adjusted models. This raises hypotheses about pathways by which SDB may negatively impact stroke outcomes.

Physical and Psychological Burden among Caregivers of Latinx Older Adults with Stroke and Multimorbidity

Objective

To investigate the association between Latinx older adults' stroke, multimorbidity, and caregiver burden.

Methods

For this retrospective cohort study, we used the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) Wave-7 data set. The caregiver's physical burden was defined by using the Level of Burden Index. The caregiver's psychological burden was measured by using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4). Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of 3 or more chronic conditions.

Results

The average age of the Latinx adults was 86 years, and the caregivers were 56 years. Latinx older adults and caregivers were more likely to be females (66% and 75%). Most caregivers were children (71%). Twelve percent of Latinx older adults presented with stroke, and 50% presented with multimorbidity. Caregiver physical burden was stratified into 3 levels: low (43%), medium (17%), and high (40%) burden. The cumulative logit model revealed that caregivers caring for those with stroke or multimorbidity had a high physical burden. Family caregivers and caregivers with a higher household income had a low physical burden. Caregivers with multimorbidity had a higher psychological burden. Caregivers who were interviewed in Spanish and those with higher household incomes had decreased psychological burden.

Conclusion

This study revealed that caregivers had a higher physical burden among caregivers of Latinx adults with stroke or multimorbidity. Future studies must investigate the relationship between Latinx adults' stroke and caregiver psychological health, and build culturally tailored policies and community interventions to support caregivers susceptible to high stress and burden.

Trends and ethnic differences in stroke recurrence and mortality in a biethnic population, 2000-2019: a novel application of an illness-death model

PURPOSE

To estimate temporal trends in post-stroke outcomes in Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs).

METHODS

We included first-ever ischemic strokes from a population-based study in South Texas (n = 5343, 2000-2019). We applied an illness-death model with three jointly specified Cox-type models to estimate ethnic differences and ethnic-specific temporal trends in recurrence (first stroke to recurrence), recurrence-free mortality (first stroke to death without recurrence), recurrence-affected mortality (first stroke to death with recurrence), and postrecurrence mortality (recurrence to death).

RESULTS

MAs had higher rates of postrecurrence mortality than NHWs in 2019 but lower rates in 2000. One-year risk of this outcome increased in MAs and decreased in NHWs, resulting in ethnic differences changing from -14.9% (95% CI -35.9%, -2.8%) in 2000 to 9.1% (1.7%, 18.9%) in 2018. For recurrence-free mortality, lower rates were observed in MAs until 2013. Ethnic differences in 1-year risk changed from -3.3% (95% CI -4.9%, -1.6%) in 2000 to -1.2% (-3.1%, 0.8%) in 2018. For stroke recurrence and recurrence-affected mortality, significant ethnic disparities persisted over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

An ethnic disparity in postrecurrence mortality was newly identified, driven by the increasing trend in MAs but a decreasing trend in NHWs.

Trehalose-Carnosine Prevents the Effects of Spinal Cord Injury Through Regulating Acute Inflammation and Zinc(II) Ion Homeostasis

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to long-term and permanent motor dysfunctions, and nervous system abnormalities. Injury to the spinal cord triggers a signaling cascade that results in activation of the inflammatory cascade, apoptosis, and Zn(II) ion homeostasis. Trehalose (Tre), a nonreducing disaccharide, and L-carnosine (Car), (β-alanyl-L-histidine), one of the endogenous histidine dipeptides have been recognized to suppress early inflammatory effects, oxidative stress and to possess neuroprotective effects. We report on the effects of the conjugation of Tre with Car (Tre-car) in reducing inflammation in in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro study was performed using rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cell line). After 24 h, Tre-car, Car, Tre, and Tre + Car mixture treatments, cells were collected and used to investigate Zn²⁺ homeostasis. The in vivo model of SCI was induced by extradural compression of the spinal cord at the T6-T8 levels. After treatments with Tre, Car and Tre-Car conjugate 1 and 6 h after SCI, spinal cord tissue was collected for analysis. In vitro results demonstrated the ionophore effect and chelating features of L-carnosine and its conjugate. In vivo, the Tre-car conjugate treatment counteracted the activation of the early inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress and apoptosis after SCI. The Tre-car conjugate stimulated neurotrophic factors release, and influenced Zn²⁺ homeostasis. We demonstrated that Tre-car, Tre and Car treatments improved tissue recovery after SCI. Tre-car decreased proinflammatory, oxidative stress mediators release, upregulated neurotrophic factors and restored Zn²⁺ homeostasis, suggesting that Tre-car may represent a promising therapeutic agent for counteracting the consequences of SCI.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in Short- and Long-term Mortality by Stroke Type

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Racial and ethnic disparities in stroke outcomes exist, but differences by stroke type are less understood. We studied the association of race and ethnicity with stroke mortality, by stroke type, in a national sample of hospitalized patients in the Veterans Health Administration.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study was performed including non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic patients with a first hospitalization for stroke between 2002 and 2012. Stroke was determined using ICD-9 codes and date of death was obtained from the National Death Index. For each of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), we constructed a piecewise multivariable model for all-cause mortality, using follow-up intervals of ≤30 days, 31-90 days, 91 days to 1 year, and >1 year.

RESULTS

Among 37,790 patients with stroke (89% AIS, 9% ICH, 2% SAH), 25,492 (67%) were non-Hispanic White, 9,752 (26%) were non-Hispanic Black, and 2,546 (7%) were Hispanic. The cohort was predominantly male (98%). Compared with White patients, Black patients experienced better 30-day survival after AIS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.88; 1.4% risk difference) and worse 30-day survival after ICH (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06-1.44; 3.2% risk difference). Hispanic patients experienced reduced risk for >1-year mortality after AIS (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.80-0.94), but had greater risk of 30-day mortality after SAH compared with White patients (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.03-2.52; 10.3% risk difference).

DISCUSSION

Among US Veterans, absolute risk of 30-day mortality after ICH was 3.2% higher for Black patients and after SAH was 10.3% higher for Hispanic patients compared with White patients. These findings underscore the importance of investigating stroke outcomes by stroke type to better understand the factors driving observed racial and ethnic disparities.

TASC (Telehealth After Stroke Care): a study protocol for a randomized controlled feasibility trial of telehealth-enabled multidisciplinary stroke care in an underserved urban setting

Background

Hypertension is the most important modifiable risk factor for recurrent stroke, and blood pressure (BP) reduction is associated with decreased risk of stroke recurrence. However, hypertension remains poorly controlled in many stroke survivors. Black and Hispanic patients have a higher prevalence of uncontrolled BP and higher rates of stroke. Limited access to care contributes to challenges in post-stroke care. Telehealth After Stroke Care (TASC) is a telehealth intervention that integrates remote BP monitoring (RBPM) including nursing telephone support, tailored BP infographics and telehealth video visits with a multidisciplinary team approach including pharmacy to improve post-stroke care and reduce stroke disparities.

Methods

In this pilot trial, 50 acute stroke patients with hypertension will be screened for inclusion prior to hospital discharge and randomized to usual care or TASC. Usual care patients will be seen by a primary care nurse practitioner at 1–2 weeks and a stroke neurologist at 1 and 3 months. In addition to these usual care visits, TASC intervention patients will see a pharmacist at 4 and 8 weeks and will be enrolled in RBPM consisting of home BP monitoring with interval calls by a centralized team of telehealth nurses. As part of RBPM, TASC patients will be provided with a home BP monitoring device and electronic tablet that wirelessly transmits home BP data to the electronic health record. They will also receive tailored BP infographics that help explain their BP readings. The primary outcome will be feasibility including recruitment, adherence to at least one video visit and retention rates. The clinical outcome for consideration in a subsequent trial will be within-patient change in BP from baseline to 3 months after discharge. Secondary outcomes will be medication adherence self-efficacy and satisfaction with post-stroke telehealth, both measured at 3 months. Additional patient reported outcomes will include depression, cognitive function, and socioeconomic determinants. Multidisciplinary team competency and fidelity measures will also be assessed.

Conclusions

Integrated team-based interventions may improve BP control and reduce racial/ethnic disparities in post-stroke care. TASC is a post-acute stroke care model that is novel in providing RBPM with tailored infographics, and a multidisciplinary team approach including pharmacy. Our pilot will determine if such an approach is feasible and effective in enhancing post-stroke BP control and promoting self-efficacy.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04640519

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40814-022-01025-z.

RAPIDO: Promoting stroke awareness among Spanish speakers

ABSTRACT

The mnemonic BE-FAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time) has been developed for the public to better remember and identify the warning signs of stroke. However, discrepancies may arise when translating stroke educational materials from English to Spanish. This article discusses the use of a culturally tailored tool, RAPIDO, to raise stroke awareness in Spanish-speaking populations.

Interventions Targeting Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Stroke Prevention and Treatment

Systemic racism is a public health crisis. Systemic racism and racial/ethnic injustice produce racial/ethnic disparities in health care and health. Substantial racial/ethnic disparities in stroke care and health exist and result predominantly from unequal treatment. This special report aims to summarize selected interventions to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in stroke prevention and treatment. It reviews the social determinants of health and the determinants of racial/ethnic disparities in care. It provides a focused summary of selected interventions aimed at reducing stroke risk factors, increasing awareness of stroke symptoms, and improving access to care for stroke because these interventions hold the promise of reducing racial/ethnic disparities in stroke death rates. It also discusses knowledge gaps and future directions.

HEADS-UP: Understanding and Problem-Solving: Seeking Hands-Down Solutions to Major Inequities in Stroke

There are substantial and longstanding inequities in stroke incidence, prevalence, care, and outcomes. The Health Equity and Actionable Disparities in Stroke: Understanding and Problem-Solving (HEADS-UP) symposium is an annual multidisciplinary scientific and educational forum targeting major inequities in cerebrovascular disease, with the ultimate objective of helping to bridge major inequities in stroke, and promptly translating scientific results into routine clinical practice, for the benefit of vulnerable and underserved populations. HEADS-UP is a collaborative undertaking by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the American Stroke Association and is held the day before the annual International Stroke Conference. In 2020, the HEADS-UP focused on the topic of racial/ethnic disparities in stroke and comprised invited lectures on determinants of racial/ethnic inequities in stroke as well as emerging interventions or promising strategies designed to overcome these inequities. Competitively selected travel award scholarships were given to 19 early stage investigators who presented posters at professor moderated sessions; engaged in several career development activities aimed imparting grant writing skills, knowledge about climbing the academic ladder, and striving for work-life balance; and participated in networking events. This Health Equity edition of Focused Updates will feature an overview of the HEADS-UP 2020 symposium proceedings and articles covering the key scientific content of the major lectures delivered during the symposium including the presentation by the award-winning plenary speaker. Starting in 2021, HEADS-UP will expand to include 5 major inequities in stroke (racial/ethnic, sex, geographic, socioeconomic, and global) and seeks to be a viable avenue to meet the health equity goals of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and World Stroke Organization.

Trends in Stroke Recurrence in Mexican Americans and Non-Hispanic Whites

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Stroke incidence and mortality are declining rapidly in developed countries. Little data on ethnic-specific stroke recurrence trends exist. Fourteen-year stroke recurrence trend estimates were evaluated in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites in a population-based study.

METHODS

Recurrent stroke was ascertained prospectively in the population-based BASIC (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi) project in Texas, between 2000 and 2013. Incident cases were followed forward to determine 1- and 2-year recurrence. Fine & Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to estimate adjusted trends in the absolute recurrence risk and ethnic differences in the secular trends. The ethnic difference in the secular trend was examined using an interaction term between index year and ethnicity in the models adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, atrial fibrillation, insurance, and cholesterol and relevant interaction terms.

RESULTS

From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2013 (N=3571), the cumulative incidence of 1-year recurrence in Mexican Americans decreased from 9.26% (95% CI, 6.9%-12.43%) in 2000 to 3.42% (95% CI, 2.25%-5.21%) in 2013. Among non-Hispanic whites, the cumulative incidence of 1-year recurrence in non-Hispanic whites decreased from 5.67% (95% CI, 3.74%-8.62%) in 2000 to 3.59% (95% CI, 2.27%-5.68%) in 2013. The significant ethnic disparity in stroke recurrence existed in 2000 (risk difference, 3.59% [95% CI, 0.94%-6.22%]) but was no longer seen by 2013 (risk difference, -0.17% [95% CI, -1.96% to 1.5%]). The competing 1-year mortality risk was stable over time among Mexican Americans, while for non-Hispanic whites it was decreasing over time (difference between 2000 and 2013: -4.67% [95% CI, -8.72% to -0.75%]).

CONCLUSIONS

Mexican Americans had significant reductions in stroke recurrence despite a stable death rate, a promising indicator. The ethnic disparity in stroke recurrence present early in the study was gone by 2013.

Ethnic Differences in Prevalence of Post-stroke Depression

BACKGROUND

Little is known about ethnic differences in poststroke depression (PSD) in the United States. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of PSD at 90 days after first-ever stroke and to examine ethnic differences in the prevalence between Mexican Americans (MAs) and non-Hispanic whites (NHWs).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Stroke cases from 2011 to 2015 were identified from the BASIC project (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi)-a population-based stroke surveillance study in south Texas. Participants were interviewed at the onset of stroke (baseline interview) and ≈90 days post-stroke (outcome interview). PSD was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8. Inverse probability weights were generated to account for differential attrition, and weighted logistic regression was used to investigate the association between ethnicity and PSD. The study sample consisted of 586 first-ever stroke patients who completed nonproxy baseline and outcome interviews and had depression assessment. Approximately, 60% of them were MAs, and 40% were NHWs. After accounting for attrition, the prevalence of depression at 90 days post-stroke was 30.4% for MAs (95% confidence interval, 25.0%-35.9%) and 20.7% for NHWs (95% confidence interval, 15.7%-25.7%). The crude odds of PSD in MAs was 1.69 times greater than that in NHWs (95% confidence interval, 1.13-2.51). The odds ratio decreased by 23.6% after adjustment for education (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-2.02) and was further attenuated with additional adjustment for other covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

MAs had a higher prevalence of PSD at 90 days than NHWs. The ethnic difference was explained by sociodemographic and health factors, especially low educational attainment.

Surrogate Decision Makers' Perspectives on Family Members' Prognosis after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Surrogate communication with providers about prognosis in the setting of acute critical illness can impact both patient treatment decisions and surrogate outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To examine surrogate decision maker perspectives on provider prognostic communication after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

DESIGN

Semistructured interviews were conducted and analyzed qualitatively for key themes.

SETTING/SUBJECTS

Surrogate decision makers for individuals admitted with ICH were enrolled from five acute care hospitals.

RESULTS

Fifty-two surrogates participated (mean age = 54, 60% women, 58% non-Hispanic white, 13% African American, 21% Hispanic). Patient status at interview was hospitalized (17%), in rehabilitation/nursing facility (37%), deceased (38%), hospice (4%), or home (6%). Nineteen percent of surrogates reported receiving discordant prognoses, leading to distress or frustration in eight cases (15%) and a change in decision for potentially life-saving brain surgery in three cases (6%). Surrogates were surprised or confused by providers' use of varied terminology for the diagnosis (17%) (e.g., "stroke" vs. "brain hemorrhage" or "brain bleed") and some interpreted "stroke" as having a more negative connotation. Surrogates reported that physicians expressed uncertainty in prognosis in 37%; with physician certainty in 56%. Surrogate reactions to uncertainty were mixed, with some surrogates expressing a negative emotional response (e.g., anxiety) and others reporting understanding or acceptance of uncertainty.

CONCLUSIONS

Current practice of prognostic communication in acute critical illness has many gaps, leading to distress for surrogates and variability in critical treatment decisions. Further work is needed to limit surrogate distress and improve the quality of treatment decisions.

Moderate and Severe Blood Pressure Elevation Associated with Stroke in the Mexican Hispanic Population

BACKGROUND

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in US. Amongst other factors such as age, sex, race, genetics, obesity, diabetes etc., hypertension continues to be the leading contributing factor towards stroke. Studies regarding stroke in Hispanics are sparse and inconclusive.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the present study is to investigate the potential association between blood pressure elevation and risk of ischemic stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population.

METHODS

A retrospective data analysis was carried out for a planned case-control study with case-control ratios of 1:2. Mexican Hispanic cases were from the ElPasoStroke database with diagnosed hypertension that had sustained an ischemic stroke (n = 505) and Mexican Hispanics diagnosed with hypertension who were stroke-free as controls from the 2005-2010 NHANES databases (n = 1010). In this analysis, we included subjects who had data on systolic, diastolic or mean arterial blood pressures for cases (327) and controls (772). In cases, blood pressure was determined by the initial admission measurement, and in controls, the first measured blood pressure was used. The unadjusted and adjusted effects of continuous measurements of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure on stroke were determined using logistic regression analyses. Subjects were further classified into groups based on prehypertension and hypertension ranges, as established by the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC7). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were also used to determine the effect of categorized blood pressures.

RESULTS

Our data indicate that per unit increase in systolic, diastolic or mean arterial blood pressure elevates the odds of stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population. Adjusted analysis of categorized blood pressures showed that mild or moderate/severe high blood pressure significantly associated with odds of stroke. Maintaining and controlling blood pressure at more stringent and lower levels, specifically lowering mean arterial pressure may effectively reduce the odds of ischemic stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population.

CONCLUSION

Elevation of blood pressure increases the odds of stroke among the Mexican Hispanic population. Our results provide new strategies to manage the stroke prevention and health disparity issues among the Mexican Hispanic population.