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Buus SMØ, Behrndtz AB, Schmitz ML, Hedegaard JN, Cordsen P, Johnsen SP, Phan T, Andersen G, Simonsen CZ. Urban-rural inequalities in IV thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke: A nationwide study. Eur Stroke J 2024; 9:722-731. [PMID: 38600682 DOI: 10.1177/23969873241244591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Rural residency has been associated with lower reperfusion treatment rates for acute ischemic stroke in many countries. We aimed to explore urban-rural differences in IV thrombolysis rates in a small country with universal health care, and short transport times to stroke units. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this nationwide cohort study, adult ischemic stroke patients registered in the Danish Stroke Registry (DSR) between 2015 and 2020 were included. The exposure was defined by residence rurality. Data from the DSR, Statistics Denmark, and the Danish Health Data Authority, were linked on the individual level using the Civil Registration Number. Adjusted treatment rates were calculated by balancing baseline characteristics using inverse probability of treatment weights. RESULTS Among the included 56,175 patients, prehospital delays were shortest for patients residing in capital municipalities (median 4.7 h), and longest for large town residents (median 7.1 h). Large town residents were predominantly admitted directly to a comprehensive stroke center (98.5%), whereas 30.9% of capital residents were admitted to a hospital with no reperfusion therapy available (non-RT unit). Treatment rates were similar among all non-rural residents (18.5%-18.7%), but slightly lower among rural residents (17.2% [95% CI 16.5-17.8]). After adjusting for age, sex, immigrant status, and educational attainment, rural residents reached treatment rates comparable to capital and large town residents at 18.5% (95% CI 17.7-19.4). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION While treatment rates varied minimally by urban-rural residency, substantial differences in median prehospital delay and admission to non-RT units underscored marked urban-rural differences in potential obstacles to reperfusion therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pia Cordsen
- Danish Center for Health Services Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Søren Paaske Johnsen
- Danish Center for Health Services Research, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Thanh Phan
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash health, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Grethe Andersen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Claus Ziegler Simonsen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Ranta A, Ozturk S, Wasay M, Giroud M, Béjot Y, Reis J. Environmental factors and stroke: Risk and prevention. J Neurol Sci 2023; 454:120860. [PMID: 37944211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is a leading cause of death and adult disability globally. In addition to traditional risk factors, environmental risk factors have emerged over the recent past and are becoming increasingly important. The disproportionate rise of stroke incidence in low- and middle-income countries has been attributed, at least in part, to environmental factors. This narrative review provides details on the interplay between the environment and health generally and stroke specifically, covering topics including air pollution, atmospheric brown clouds, desert dust storms, giant wildfires, chemical contamination, biological aggressors, urbanization, and climate change. It also covers some beneficial environmental effects such as can be harnessed from the exposure to green spaces. It concludes with a summary of pragmatic actions that can be taken to help address some of these challenges at individual, community, and political advocacy levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemarei Ranta
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand; Department of Neurology, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Serefnur Ozturk
- Department of Neurology, Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mohammad Wasay
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Maurice Giroud
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Dijon, France; Dijon Stroke Registry, Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of cerebrocardiovascular diseases (EA7460), University of Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
| | - Yannick Béjot
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Dijon, France; Dijon Stroke Registry, Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of cerebrocardiovascular diseases (EA7460), University of Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
| | - Jacques Reis
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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Nawata K. An Analysis of Risk Factors Affecting Cerebrovascular Disease. Health (London) 2022. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2022.148061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Maeda M, Fukuda H, Matsuo R, Ago T, Kitazono T, Kamouchi M. Regional Disparity of Reperfusion Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Japan: A Retrospective Analysis of Nationwide Claims Data from 2010 to 2015. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e021853. [PMID: 34622661 PMCID: PMC8751889 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.021853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background We aimed to determine whether a regional disparity exists in usage of reperfusion therapy (intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [IV rt‐PA] and endovascular thrombectomy [EVT]) and post‐reperfusion 30‐day mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and which regional factors are associated with their usage. Methods and Results We retrospectively investigated 69 948 patients (mean age±SD, 74.9±12.0 years; women, 41.4%) with acute ischemic stroke treated with reperfusion therapy between April 2010 and March 2016 in Japan using nationwide claims data. Regional disparity was evaluated using Gini coefficients for age‐ and sex‐adjusted usage of reperfusion therapy and 30‐day post‐reperfusion in‐hospital death ratio in 47 administrative regions. The association between regional factors and reperfusion therapy usage was evaluated with fixed‐effects regression models. During the study period, Gini coefficients showed low inequality (0.11–0.15) for use of IV rt‐PA monotherapy and IV rt‐PA and/or EVT and extreme inequality (0.49) for EVT usage in 2010, which became moderate inequality (0.25) by 2015. The densities of stroke centers and endovascular specialists, as well as market concentration, were associated with increased usage of reperfusion therapy whereas the proportion of rural residents and delayed ambulance transport were negatively associated with usage. Inequality in the standardized death ratio after EVT was extreme (0.86) in 2010 but became moderate (0.29) by 2015; inequality was low to moderate (0.17–0.23) for IV rt‐PA monotherapy and IV rt‐PA and/or EVT. Conclusions Scrutinizing existing data sources revealed regional disparity in reperfusion therapy for acute ischemic stroke and its associated regional factors in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Maeda
- Department of Health Care Administration and ManagementGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Haruhisa Fukuda
- Department of Health Care Administration and ManagementGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
- Center for Cohort StudiesGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Ryu Matsuo
- Department of Health Care Administration and ManagementGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
- Department of Medicine and Clinical ScienceGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Tetsuro Ago
- Department of Medicine and Clinical ScienceGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Takanari Kitazono
- Center for Cohort StudiesGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
- Department of Medicine and Clinical ScienceGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Masahiro Kamouchi
- Department of Health Care Administration and ManagementGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
- Center for Cohort StudiesGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
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Botwe BO, Schandorf C, Inkoom S, Faanu A, Rolstadaas L, Goa PE. National indication-based diagnostic reference level values in computed tomography: Preliminary results from Ghana. Phys Med 2021; 84:274-284. [PMID: 33775566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was conducted to develop national indication-based DRL values for common indications of adult computed tomography (CT) examinations for clinical application in Ghana. MATERIALS AND METHODS The methodological approach recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), Publication 135, for the development of DRLs, was employed. Studies on CT infrastructure, common indications and quality control tests were first undertaken. A sample of 20 CT dose descriptor/quantity data sets were collected from each centre for each indication. Overall, 3960 data sets were collected for all identified common indications from 71.4% of the total CT scanners in Ghana (25/35). The data were collected from image folders reported and accepted by radiologists. The objective image quality was assessed through a signal to noise ratio (SNR) analysis prior to using the data and extracting DRL values. RESULTS Clinical indications and their respective DRL values in terms of volume weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol) and dose length product (DLP) were cerebrovascular accident (CVA)/stroke (77 mGy; 1313 mGy.cm), head trauma/injury (76 mGy; 1596 mGy.cm), brain tumour/space occupying lesion (SOL) (77 mGy; 2696 mGy.cm), lung tumour/cancer (12 mGy; 828 mGy.cm) and chest lesion with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (13 mGy; 467 mGy.cm). Others were abdominopelvic lesion (17 mGy; 1299 mGy.cm), kidney stones (15 mGy; 731 mGy.cm), urothelial malignancy/CT-intravenous urogram (CT-IVU) (11 mGy; 1449 mGy.cm) and pulmonary embolism (PE) (14 mGy; 942 mGy.cm). CONCLUSION National Indication-based DRL values developed in this study are recommended to be used to manage CT radiation dose in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benard Ohene Botwe
- Radiography Department, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Korle-Bu Campus, Accra, Ghana; Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Atomic Campus, Accra, Legon, Ghana.
| | - Cyril Schandorf
- Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Atomic Campus, Accra, Legon, Ghana
| | - Stephen Inkoom
- Medical Physics Department, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, Atomic Campus, Accra, Ghana; Radiation Protection Institute (RPI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra, Ghana
| | - Augustine Faanu
- Radiological and Non-ionizing Radiation Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Accra, Ghana
| | - Linn Rolstadaas
- Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Pål Erik Goa
- Clinic of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, St. Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Norouzi S, Jafarabadi MA, Shamshirgaran SM, Farzipoor F, Fallah R. Modeling Survival in Patients With Brain Stroke in the Presence of Competing Risks. J Prev Med Public Health 2021; 54:55-62. [PMID: 33618500 PMCID: PMC7939750 DOI: 10.3961/jpmph.20.463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives After heart disease, brain stroke (BS) is the second most common cause of death worldwide, underscoring the importance of understanding preventable and treatable risk factors for the outcomes of BS. This study aimed to model the survival of patients with BS in the presence of competing risks. Methods This longitudinal study was conducted on 332 patients with a definitive diagnosis of BS. Demographic characteristics and risk factors were collected by a validated checklist. Patients’ mortality status was investigated by telephone follow-up to identify deaths that may be have been caused by stroke or other factors (heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc.). Data were analyzed by the Lunn-McNeil approach at alpha=0.1. Results Older age at diagnosis (59–68 years: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.19; 90% confidence interval [CI], 1.38 to 3.48; 69–75 years: aHR, 5.04; 90% CI, 3.25 to 7.80; ≥76 years: aHR, 5.30; 90% CI, 3.40 to 8.44), having heart disease (aHR, 1.65; 90% CI, 1.23 to 2.23), oral contraceptive pill use (women only) (aHR, 0.44; 90% CI, 0.24 to 0.78) and ischemic stroke (aHR, 0.52; 90% CI, 0.36 to 0.74) were directly related to death from BS. Older age at diagnosis (59–68 years: aHR, 21.42; 90% CI, 3.52 to 130.39; 75–69 years: aHR, 16.48; 90% CI, 2.75 to 98.69; ≥76 years: aHR, 26.03; 90% CI, 4.06 to 166.93) and rural residence (aHR, 2.30; 90% CI, 1.15 to 4.60) were directly related to death from other causes. Significant risk factors were found for both causes of death. Conclusions BS-specific and non-BS-specific mortality had different risk factors. These findings could be utilized to prescribe optimal and specific treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmaz Norouzi
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Asghari Jafarabadi
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology and Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Morteza Shamshirgaran
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Farshid Farzipoor
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ramazan Fallah
- Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Factors delaying intravenous thrombolytic therapy in acute ischaemic stroke: a systematic review of the literature. J Neurol 2020; 268:2723-2734. [PMID: 32206899 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-09803-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS This review examined factors that delay thrombolysis and what management strategies are currently employed to minimise this delay, with the aim of suggesting future directions to overcome bottlenecks in treatment delivery. METHODS A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The search strategy included a combination of synonyms and controlled vocabularies from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and EmTree covering brain ischemia, cerebrovascular accident, fibrinolytic therapy and Alteplase. The search was conducted using Medline (OVID), Embase (OVID), PubMed and Cochrane Library databases using truncations and Boolean operators. The literature search excluded review articles, trial protocols, opinion pieces and case reports. Inclusion criteria were: (1) The article directly related to thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke, and (2) The article examined at least one factor contributing to delay in thrombolytic therapy. RESULTS One hundred and fifty-two studies were included. Pre-hospital factors resulted in the greatest delay to thrombolysis administration. In-hospital factors relating to assessment, imaging and thrombolysis administration also contributed. Long onset-to-needle times were more common in those with atypical, or less severe, symptoms, the elderly, patients from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those living alone. Various strategies currently exist to reduce delays. Processes which have achieved the greatest improvements in time to thrombolysis are those which integrate out-of-hospital and in-hospital processes, such as the Helsinki model. CONCLUSION Further integrated processes are required to maximise patient benefit from thrombolysis. Expansion of community education to incorporate less common symptoms and provision of alert pagers for patients may provide further reduction in thrombolysis times.
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