Ethnic Differences in 90-Day Poststroke Medication Adherence

Hypertension Prevalence, Treatment, and Control 90 Days After Acute Stroke Among Mexican American and Non-Hispanic White Adults

BACKGROUND

High blood pressure (BP) increases recurrent stroke risk.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We assessed hypertension prevalence, treatment, control, medication adherence, and predictors of uncontrolled BP 90 days after ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke among 561 Mexican American and non-Hispanic White (NHW) survivors of stroke from the BASIC (Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi) cohort from 2011 to 2014. Uncontrolled BP was defined as average BP ≥140/90 mm Hg at 90 days poststroke. Hypertension was uncontrolled BP or antihypertensive medication prescribed or hypertension history. Treatment was antihypertensive use. Adherence was missing zero antihypertensive doses per week. We investigated predictors of uncontrolled BP using logistic regression adjusting for patient factors. Median (interquartile range) age was 68 (59-78) years, 64% were Mexican American, and 90% of strokes were ischemic. Overall, 94.3% of survivors of stroke had hypertension (95.6% Mexican American versus 92.0% non-Hispanic White; P=0.09). Of these, 87.9% were treated (87.3% Mexican American versus 89.1% non-Hispanic White; P=0.54). Among the total population, 38.3% (95% CI, 34.4%-42.4%) had uncontrolled BP. Among those with uncontrolled BP prescribed an antihypertensive, 84.5% reported treatment adherence (95% CI, 78.8%-89.3%). Uncontrolled BP 90 days poststroke was less likely in patients with stroke who had a primary care physician (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.45 [95% CI, 0.24-0.83]; P=0.01), greater stroke severity (aOR per-1-point-higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.93-0.99]; P=0.02), or more depressive symptoms (aOR per-1-point-higher Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale-8 score, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.92-0.99] among those with a history of hypertension at baseline; P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater than one third of survivors of stroke have uncontrolled BP at 90 days poststroke in this population-based study. Interventions are needed to improve BP control after stroke.

Differences in quality of anticoagulation care delivery according to ethnoracial group in the United States: A scoping review

Anticoagulation therapy is standard for conditions like atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, and valvular heart disease, yet it is unclear if there are ethnoracial disparities in its quality and delivery in the United States. For this scoping review, electronic databases were searched for publications between January 1, 2011 - March 30, 2022. Eligible studies included all study designs, any setting within the United States, patients prescribed anticoagulation for any indication, outcomes reported for ≥ 2 distinct ethnoracial groups. The following four research questions were explored: Do ethnoracial differences exist in 1) access to guideline-based anticoagulation therapy, 2) quality of anticoagulation therapy management, 3) clinical outcomes related to anticoagulation care, 4) humanistic/educational outcomes related to anticoagulation therapy. A total of 5374 studies were screened, 570 studies received full-text review, and 96 studies were analyzed. The largest mapped focus was patients' access to guideline-based anticoagulation therapy (88/96 articles, 91.7%). Seventy-eight articles made statistical outcomes comparisons among ethnoracial groups. Across all four research questions, 79 articles demonstrated favorable outcomes for White patients compared to non-White patients, 38 articles showed no difference between White and non-White groups, and 8 favored non-White groups (the total exceeds the 78 articles with statistical outcomes as many articles reported multiple outcomes). Disparities disadvantaging non-White patients were most pronounced in access to guideline-based anticoagulation therapy (43/66 articles analyzed) and quality of anticoagulation management (19/21 articles analyzed). Although treatment guidelines do not differentiate anticoagulant therapy by ethnoracial group, this scoping review found consistently favorable outcomes for White patients over non-White patients in the domains of access to anticoagulation therapy for guideline-based indications and quality of anticoagulation therapy management. No differences among groups were noted in clinical outcomes, and very few studies assessed humanistic or educational outcomes.

Accelerometer-Measured Behavior Patterns in Incident Cerebrovascular Disease: Insights for Preventative Monitoring From the UK Biobank

BACKGROUND

The goal was to compare patterns of physical activity (PA) behaviors (sedentary behavior [SB], light PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA], and sleep) measured via accelerometers for 7 days between patients with incident cerebrovascular disease (CeVD) (n=2141) and controls (n=73 938).

METHODS AND RESULTS

In multivariate models, cases spent 3.7% less time in MVPA (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.963 [95% CI, 0.929-0.998]) and 1.0% more time in SB (IRR, 1.010 [95% CI, 1.001-1.018]). Between 12 and 24 months before diagnosis, cases spent more time in SB (IRR, 1.028 [95% CI, 1.001-1.057]). Within the year before diagnosis, cases spent less time in MVPA (IRR, 0.861 [95% CI, 0.771-0.964]). Although SB time was not associated with CeVD risk, MVPA time, both total min/d (hazard ratio [HR], 0.998 [95% CI, 0.997-0.999]) and guideline threshold adherence (≥150 min/wk) (HR, 0.909 [95% CI, 0.827-0.998]), was associated with decreased CeVD risk. Comorbid burden had a significant partial mediation effect on the relationship between MVPA and CeVD. Cases slept more during 12:00 to 17:59 hours (IRR, 1.091 [95% CI, 1.002-1.191]) but less during 0:00 to 5:59 hours (IRR, 0.984 [95% CI, 0.977-0.992]). No between-group differences were significant at subgroup analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily behavior patterns were significantly different in patients before CeVD. Although SB was not associated with CeVD risk, the association between MVPA and CeVD risk is partially mediated by comorbid burden. This study has implications for understanding observable behavior patterns in cerebrovascular dysfunction and may help in developing remote monitoring strategies to prevent or reduce cerebrovascular decline.

Effects of a Planned Web-Based Educational Intervention Based on the Health Belief Model for Patients With Ischemic Stroke in Promoting Secondary Prevention During the COVID-19 Lockdown in China: Quasi-Experimental Study

Background

Some common modified vascular risk factors remain poorly controlled among stroke survivors, and educational programs may help improve these conditions.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a planned web-based educational intervention based on the health belief model (HBM) in promoting secondary prevention among patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods

An evaluation-blinded quasi-experimental trial with a historical control group was conducted. Patients admitted from March to June 2020 were assigned to the historical control group, and patients admitted from July to October 2020 were assigned to the intervention group. The control group received routine health management. The intervention group received 6 additional sessions based on the HBM via Tencent Meeting, an audio and video conferencing application, within 3 months after discharge. Sessions were held every 2 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. These sessions were conducted in small groups, with about 8 to 10 people in each group. The primary outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the proportion of patients achieving the treatment target. The secondary outcomes were medication adherence, assessed with the Morisky Medicine Adherence Scale (MMAS), and disability, assessed with the modified Rankin scale.

Results

In total, 315 patients experiencing their first-ever stroke were analyzed. More patients in the intervention group had controlled BP (41.9% vs 28.4%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.93; P=.01), LDL-C (83.1% vs 67.7%; aOR 2.66; P=.001), and HbA1c (91.9% vs 83.9%; aOR: 3.37; P=.04) levels as well as a significant postintervention decrease in the systolic BP (adjusted β -3.94; P=.02), LDL-C (adjusted β -0.21; P=.008), and HbA1c (adjusted β -0.27; P<.001), compared with control groups. Significant between-group differences were observed in medication adherence (79.4% vs 63.2%; aOR 2.31; P=.002) but not in favorable functional outcomes.

Conclusions

A web-based education program based on the HBM may be more effective than current methods used to educate patients having strokes on optimal vascular risk factors and medication adherence.

Deceptive Adherence to Anticoagulation in Secondary Stroke Prevention

Background

Oral anticoagulants (OAC) effectively reduce the risk for ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to assess OAC treatment adherence in secondary stroke prevention and to find predictors of adherence using individualized patient data.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with a discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke and AF from Tartu University Hospital from 2017 to 2018. Data from patient charts and the Electronic Hospital Information, Estonian Electronic Prescription, and Estonian Electronic Health Record systems were registered.

Results

Of the 353 patients, 237 (67%) were prescribed OAC treatment at discharge and during the first year after stroke, 202 (85%) of them used OAC treatment. The mean adherence was 81%, while only 68% had good adherence. Reduced non-vitamin K antagonist OAC (NOAC) dose was used in 68 patients (39%), which was justified in 23 (34%). First-ever stroke occurrence was the only significant factor for good treatment adherence in logistic regression analysis. There were 47 patients (23%) with complications among the patients on OAC treatment. Majority of the patients (70%) with hemorrhagic complications and 52% of patients with thromboembolic complications had good treatment adherence

Conclusions

Our study showed that OAC treatment adherence following stroke was modest and first-ever stroke was the only predictor of good or full treatment adherence.

Immigration status and utilization of secondary preventive treatment after ischemic stroke

Introduction:

The objective of the study was to assess use and persistence of secondary preventive treatment after ischemic stroke comparing immigrants and Danish-born residents.

Patients and methods:

A cohort of patients discharged with ischemic stroke (IS) diagnosis ( n = 106,224) by immigration status was identified from the Danish Stroke Registry between 2005 and 2018. We investigated use (claiming at least one prescription in 180 days post-discharge according to information from the Register of Medicinal Products Statistics) and persistence of treatment within 180 days thereafter using multivariable logistic regression and Fine and Gray models.

Results:

Overall, 82,078 Danish-born residents (80.6%) and 3589 (80.7%) immigrants with IS used at least one of the recommended preventive medications post-discharge. Immigrants had lower odds of use of anticoagulants and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) (odds ratio (OR), 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.53–0.82 and OR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75–0.98, respectively) but had higher odds of use of beta-blockers (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.02–1.53) than Danish-born residents after adjustment for age at stroke, sex, sociodemographic factors, duration of residence, stroke severity, and comorbidities. The odds were most evident among immigrants originating from non-Western countries. Persistence of medication use did not differ between immigrants and Danish-born residents after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities.

Conclusion:

Modest disparities in use of standard guideline recommended secondary preventive medications were observed when comparing immigrants and Danish-born residents with ischemic stroke. Furthermore, no differences in persistence of medication therapy were observed.

Self-reported medication adherence and pharmacy refill adherence among persons with ischemic stroke: a cross-sectional study

Purpose

To describe and compare self-reported medication adherence assessed with the 5-item version of Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5) and pharmacy refill adherence based on data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register (SPDR) among persons with ischemic stroke, and to investigate independent predictors associated with respective assessments.

Methods

A study questionnaire was sent to persons with ischemic stroke registered in the Swedish Stroke Register between Dec 2011 and March 2012, and who lived at home 3 months after discharge. The primary outcome was dichotomized to adherent/non-adherent based on MARS-5 and SPDR and analyzed with multivariable logistic regression. Adherence according to MARS-5 was defined as score 23 or higher (out of 25). Adherence according to SPDR was defined as at least one filled statin prescription recorded in SPDR in each 6-month interval during 2 years of follow-up.

Results

Of 420 participants, 367 (87%) and 329 (78%) were adherent according to MARS-5 and SPDR, respectively, and 294 (70%) participants were adherent according to both assessments. A significant association was shown between medication adherence according to the two assessments (p = 0.020). Independent predictors associated with medication adherence according to MARS-5 were female sex, while factors associated with SPDR were male sex and being younger.

Conclusions

The majority of participants were classified as adherent, 87% according to MARS-5 and 78% based on data from SPDR. However, only 70% were adherent according to both MARS-5 and SPDR, and different predictors were associated with the different measurements, suggesting that these assessments are measuring different aspects of adherence.

Supplementary information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00228-022-03284-4.

Investigation of Medication Adherence and Factors Affecting It in Patients With Stroke

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is important in reducing the rate of secondary stroke in patients previously given a diagnosis of stroke. Therefore, there is a need to examine medication adherence and the factors affecting it in these patients. This study aimed to examine medication adherence in patients with stroke and the factors affecting it. METHODS: This study adopted a descriptive and cross-sectional design carried carried out on 183 stroke patients. Data were obtained between January and December 2019 using a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics form, the Morisky's Questions - Self-Reported Measure of Medication Adherence, the Turkish translation of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale, and the revised Turkish version of Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with high medication adherence was 33.9%. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with stroke were found as not effective factors in medication adherence. Specific concerns and general overuse in the Turkish translation of the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire were found as factors affecting medication adherence. The Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale and its subscales were found to be not effective factors in medication adherence. CONCLUSION: According to the results, the proportion of patients with high medication adherence was low. Patients' concerns about the possible side effects of their prescribed medications and beliefs about the overuse of medications negatively affected their medication adherence. It is recommended that nurses evaluate patients' medication adherence and beliefs about medications during hospitalization, discharge, or home visits. Structured nurse-led intervention programs are needed to enhance patients' medication adherence and beliefs about their medications.

Comparison of Frequency of Atrial Fibrillation in Blacks Versus Whites and the Utilization of Race in a Novel Risk Score

Blacks have a lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) compared with Whites. We sought to confirm previously reported ethnic trends in AF in Blacks and Whites in a large database, and develop a prediction score for AF. Over 330 million hospital discharges between the years 2003 to 2013 from the National Inpatient Sample database were analyzed. All hospitalizations with a diagnosis of AF formed the study cohort. Traditional risk factors for the development of AF were compared between Blacks and Whites. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to formulate a risk score to predict AF-CHADSAVES (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age>65 years, Diabetes Mellitus, prior Stroke, Age>75 years, Vascular disease, White Ethnicity, and previous cardiothoracic Surgery). AF prevalence in Whites was 11.3% vs 4.6% in Blacks (p < 0.001). Blacks were younger (33.8% vs 14.4% patients <65 years, p < 0.01) and had less males (46.3% vs 49.4%, p < 0.01). Blacks had more hypertension (71.3% vs 64.1%, p < 0.01), congestive heart failure (24.8% vs 22.6%, p < 0.01), diabetes mellitus with (7.5% vs 4.7%, p < 0.01) or without complications (30.3% vs 23.1%, p < 0.01), renal failure (29.7% vs 17.1%, p < 0.01), and obesity (13.1% vs 8.7%, p < 0.01). CHADSAVES predicted AF in the study population (NIS 2003 to 2013) with an AUC of 0.82 and verified in a validation cohort (NIS 2014) with an AUC of 0.85. In conclusion, our data confirm a significant AF ethnicity paradox. Despite a higher prevalence of traditional risk factors for AF, Blacks had >2-fold lower prevalence of AF compared with Whites. CHADSAVES can be used effectively to predict AF in inpatients.

Association of Blood Pressure and Cognition after Stroke

BACKGROUND AND AIM

It is unclear whether blood pressure (BP) is associated with cognition after stroke. We examined associations between systolic and diastolic BP (SBP, DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and cognition, each measured 90 days after stroke.

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of prospectively obtained data of 432 dementia-free subjects greater than or equal to 45 (median age, 66; 45% female) with stroke (92% ischemic; median NIH stroke score, 3 [IQR, 2-6]) from the population-based Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) project in 2011-2013.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

Modified Mini-Mental Status Examination (3MSE; range, 0-100).

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

Animal Fluency Test (AFT; range, 0-10) and Trail Making Tests A and B (number of correct items [range, 0-25]/completion time [Trails A: 0-180 seconds; Trails B: 0-300 second]). Linear or tobit regression adjusted associations for age, education, and race/ethnicity as well as variables significantly associated with BP and cognition.

RESULTS

Higher SBP, lower DBP, higher PP, and lower MAP each were associated with worse cognitive performance for all 4 tests (all P < .001). After adjusting for patient factors, no BP measures were associated with any of the 4 tests (all P > .05). Lower cognitive performance was associated with older age, less education, Mexican American ethnicity, diabetes, higher stroke severity, more depressive symptoms, and lower BMI. Among survivors with hypertension, anti-hypertensive medication use 90 days after stroke was significantly associated with higher AFT scores (P = .02) but not other tests (P > .15).

CONCLUSIONS

Stroke survivors' BP levels were not associated with cognitive performance at 90 days independent of sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Post-stroke medication adherence and persistence rates: a meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND

Following a doctor's prescribed medication regimen is the key to prevent recurrent stroke and adverse outcomes. Many studies have investigated post-stroke drug adherence and persistence in patients. However, a comprehensive analysis of the data is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

A meta-analysis of published literature was conducted to summarize the ratio of medication adherence and persistence in patients after stroke.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified by conducting a literature search using PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science up to April 2019. We also reviewed the reference list of the retrieved articles to identify additional studies. We included observational studies that reported data on patients' medication adherence or persistence status, or the rate of medication adherence or persistence among patients with stroke could be calculated based on the information provided.

RESULTS

The overall high medication adherence rate of patients with stroke was 64.1% (95% CI: 57.4%-70.8%), and the persistence rate of patients with stroke was 72.2% (95% CI: 69.1%-75.3%). The highest persistence rate was observed in cohort studies which was 80.1% (95% CI: 76.7%-83.4%). The medication adherence rate was the highest in cases where the rates were assessed through interviews or self-reports (77.7% (95% CI: 71.3%-84.1%)).

CONCLUSIONS

Medication adherence and persistence rates are low in patients after suffering a stroke. Patient medication adherence or persistence and their influencing factors should be considered for the treatment of stroke patients. More detailed disease prevention and management strategies need to be developed for stroke patients with different comorbidities.