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Burton E, Quinn R, Crosbie-Staunton K, Deasy C, Masterson S, O'Donnell C, Merwick Á, Willis D, Kearney PM, Mc Carthy VJC, Buckley CM. Temporal trends of ambulance time intervals for suspected stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland: a quasi-experimental study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e078168. [PMID: 38508613 PMCID: PMC10961584 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Time is a fundamental component of acute stroke and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) care, thus minimising prehospital delays is a crucial part of the stroke chain of survival. COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in Ireland in response to the pandemic, which resulted in major societal changes. However, current research on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on prehospital care for stroke/TIA is limited to early COVID-19 waves. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on ambulance time intervals and suspected stroke/TIA call volume for adults with suspected stroke and TIA in Ireland, from 2018 to 2021. DESIGN We conducted a secondary data analysis with a quasi-experimental design. SETTING We used data from the National Ambulance Service in Ireland. We defined the COVID-19 period as '1 March 2020-31 December 2021' and the pre-COVID-19 period '1 January 2018-29 February 2020'. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES We compared five ambulance time intervals: 'allocation performance', 'mobilisation performance', 'response time', 'on scene time' and 'conveyance time' between the two periods using descriptive and regression analyses. We also compared call volume for suspected stroke/TIA between the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 periods using interrupted time series analysis. PARTICIPANTS We included all suspected stroke/TIA cases ≥18 years who called the National Ambulance Service from 2018 to 2021. RESULTS 40 004 cases were included: 19 826 in the pre-COVID-19 period and 19 731 in the COVID-19 period. All ambulance time intervals increased during the pandemic period compared with pre-COVID-19 (p<0.001). Call volume increased during the COVID-19-period compared with the pre-COVID-19 period (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS A 'shock' like a pandemic has a negative impact on the prehospital phase of care for time-sensitive conditions like stroke/TIA. System evaluation and public awareness campaigns are required to ensure maintenance of prehospital stroke pathways amidst future healthcare crises. Thus, this research is relevant to routine and extraordinary prehospital service planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edel Burton
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Rory Quinn
- National Ambulance Service, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Conor Deasy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
- College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Siobhan Masterson
- National Ambulance Service, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- Discipline of General Practice, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Cathal O'Donnell
- National Ambulance Service, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Áine Merwick
- Neurology Department, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - David Willis
- National Ambulance Service, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
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Imam YZ, Chandra P, Singh R, Hakeem I, Al Sirhan S, Kotob M, Akhtar N, Kamran S, Al Jerdi S, Muhammad A, Haroon KH, Hussain S, Perkins JD, Elalamy O, Alhatou M, Ali L, Abdelmoneim MS, Joseph S, Morgan D, Uy RT, Bhutta Z, Azad A, Ayyad A, Elsotouhy A, Own A, Deleu D. Incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of posterior circulation ischemic stroke: insights from a large multiethnic stroke database. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1302298. [PMID: 38385041 PMCID: PMC10879388 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1302298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Posterior cerebral circulation ischemic stroke (PCS) comprises up to 25% of all strokes. It is characterized by variable presentation, leading to misdiagnosis and morbidity and mortality. We aim to describe PCS in large multiethnic cohorts. Methods A retrospective review of a large national stroke database from its inception on the 1st of January 2014 till 31 December 2020. Incidence per 100,000 adult population/year, demographics, clinical features, stroke location, and outcomes were retrieved. We divided the cohort into patients from MENA (Middle East and North Africa) and others. Results In total, 1,571 patients were identified. The incidence of PCS was observed to be rising and ranged from 6.3 to 13.2/100,000 adult population over the study period. Men were 82.4% of the total. The mean age was 54.9 ± 12.7 years (median 54 years, IQR 46, 63). MENA patients comprised 616 (39.2%) while others were 954 (60.7%); of these, the majority (80.5%) were from South Asia. Vascular risk factors were prevalent with 1,230 (78.3%) having hypertension, 970 (61.7%) with diabetes, and 872 (55.5%) having dyslipidemia. Weakness (944, 58.8%), dizziness (801, 50.5%), and slurred speech (584, 36.2%) were the most commonly presenting symptoms. The mean National Institute of Health Stroke Score (NIHSS) score was 3.8 ± 4.6 (median 3, IQR 1, 5). The overall most frequent stroke location was the distal location (568, 36.2%). The non-MENA cohort was younger, less vascularly burdened, and had more frequent proximal stroke location (p < 0.05). Dependency or death at discharge was seen in 39.5% and was associated with increasing age, and proximal and multilocation involvement; while at 90 days it was 27.4% and was associated with age, male sex, and having a MENA nationality (p < 0.05). Conclusion In a multiethnic cohort of posterior circulation stroke patients from the MENA region and South Asia, we noted a rising incidence over time, high prevalence of vascular risk factors, and poor outcomes in older men from the MENA region. We also uncovered considerable disparities between the MENA and non-MENA groups in stroke location and outcome. These disparities are crucial factors to consider when tailoring individualized patient care plans. Further research is needed to thoroughly investigate the underlying reasons for these variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahia Z. Imam
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Prem Chandra
- Statistics, Medical Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Rajvir Singh
- Cardiology Research Center, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ishrat Hakeem
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Mona Kotob
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Naveed Akhtar
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Saadat Kamran
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ahmad Muhammad
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Suhail Hussain
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jon D. Perkins
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Osama Elalamy
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohamed Alhatou
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Liaquat Ali
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Sujatha Joseph
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Deborah Morgan
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ryan Ty Uy
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zain Bhutta
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Aftab Azad
- College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali Ayyad
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Elsotouhy
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ahmed Own
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Dirk Deleu
- Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Abushanab D, Al-Badriyeh D, Marquina C, Liew D, Al-Zaidan M, Ghaith Al-Kuwari M, Abdulmajeed J, Ademi Z. Societal health and economic burden of cardiovascular diseases in the population with type 2 diabetes in Qatar. A 10-year forecasting model. Diabetes Obes Metab 2024; 26:148-159. [PMID: 37845584 DOI: 10.1111/dom.15299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To predict the future health and economic burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Qatar. MATERIALS AND METHODS A dynamic multistate model was designed to simulate the progression of fatal and non-fatal CVD events among people with T2D in Qatar aged 40-79 years. First CVD events [i.e. myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke] were calculated via the 2013 Pooled Cohort Equation, while recurrent CVD events were sourced from the REACH registry. Key model outcomes were fatal and non-fatal MI and stroke, years of life lived, quality-adjusted life years, total direct medical costs and total productivity loss costs. Utility and cost model inputs were drawn from published sources. The model adopted a Qatari societal perspective. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of estimates. RESULTS Over 10 years among people with T2D, model estimates 108 195 [95% uncertainty interval (UI) 104 249-112 172] non-fatal MIs, 62 366 (95% UI 60 283-65 520) non-fatal strokes and 14 612 (95% UI 14 472-14 744) CVD deaths. The T2D population accrued 4 786 605 (95% UI 4 743 454, 4 858 705) total years of life lived and 3 781 833 (95% UI 3 724 718-3 830 669) total quality-adjusted life years. Direct costs accounted for 57.85% of the total costs, with a projection of QAR41.60 billion (US$11.40 billion) [95% UI 7.53-147.40 billion (US$2.06-40.38 billion)], while the total indirect costs were expected to exceed QAR30.31 billion (US$8.30 billion) [95% UI 1.07-162.60 billion (US$292.05 million-44.55 billion)]. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest a significant economic and health burden of CVD among people with T2D in Qatar and highlight the need for more enhanced preventive strategies targeting this population group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Abushanab
- Health Economics and Policy Evaluation Research (HEPER) Group Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Clara Marquina
- Health Economics and Policy Evaluation Research (HEPER) Group Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Danny Liew
- The Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Manal Al-Zaidan
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics Supply, Primary Healthcare Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Jazeel Abdulmajeed
- Strategy Planning & Health Intelligence, Primary Healthcare Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zanfina Ademi
- Health Economics and Policy Evaluation Research (HEPER) Group Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Pappe E, Hammerich R, Saccomanno J, Sgarbossa T, Pohrt A, Schmidt B, Grah C, Eisenmann S, Holland A, Eggeling S, Stanzel F, Witzenrath M, Hübner RH. Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Hospital Admissions, Health Status, and Behavioral Changes of Patients with COPD. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES (MIAMI, FLA.) 2023; 10:211-223. [PMID: 37140947 PMCID: PMC10484494 DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.2022.0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have an increased risk of acquiring severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is why self-isolation was recommended. However, long periods of social isolation, accompanied by limited access to health care systems, might influence the outcome of patients with severe COPD negatively. Methods Data from COPD and pneumonia patients at Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the volume of endoscopic lung volume reduction (ELVR) surgeries from the German Lung Emphysema Registry (Lungenemphysem Register e.V.) were analyzed from pre-pandemic (2012 to 2019) to the pandemic period (2020 and 2021). In addition, 52 patients with COPD Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage 4 status included in the lung emphysema registry received questionnaires during lockdowns from June 2020 to April 2021. Results Admissions and ventilation therapies administered to COPD patients significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, there was a reduction in ELVR treatments and follow-ups registered in German emphysema centers. Mortality was slightly higher among patients hospitalized with COPD during the pandemic. Increasing proportions of COPD patients with GOLD stage 3 and GOLD stage 4 status reported behavioral changes and subjective feelings of increasing COPD symptoms the longer the lockdown lasted. However, COPD symptom questionnaires revealed stable COPD symptoms over the pandemic time period. Summary This study reveals reduced COPD admissions and elective treatment procedures of COPD patients during the pandemic, but a slight increase in mortality among patients hospitalized with COPD, irrespective of COVID-19. Correspondingly, patients with severe COPD reported subjective deterioration of their health status, probably caused by their very strict compliance with lockdown measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Pappe
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Hammerich
- Administrative Office for Clinical Quality and Risk Management, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacopo Saccomanno
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Sgarbossa
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Pohrt
- Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Schmidt
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, DRK Kliniken Berlin Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Grah
- Department of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, Clinic Havelhöhe Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Eisenmann
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Angelique Holland
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Eggeling
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Vivantes Netzwerk für Gesundheit, Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Martin Witzenrath
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf-Harto Hübner
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Burton E, Aladkhen J, O'Donnell C, Masterson S, Merwick Á, McCarthy VJ, Kearney PM, Buckley CM. Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Prehospital Emergency Care for Adults with Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PREHOSP EMERG CARE 2023; 28:803-822. [PMID: 37261801 DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2023.2219729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION COVID-19 has challenged global health care systems and resulted in prehospital delays for time-sensitive emergencies, like stroke and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). However, there are conflicting international reports on the level of effect of the pandemic on ambulance response intervals and emergency call volumes for these conditions. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to synthesize the international evidence on the effect of COVID-19 on ambulance response intervals and emergency call volume for suspected stroke and TIA. METHODS Following a published protocol, we conducted a systematic search of six databases through May 31, 2022. We re-ran this search on April 14, 2023, to check for any new papers. We considered for inclusion peer-reviewed quantitative studies comparing prehospital emergency care for adults with suspected stroke/TIA before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two authors screened title/abstract and full text articles. One author carried out data extraction, with a random selection of articles being checked by another author. We calculated overall pooled estimates of ambulance intervals (activation, response, patient care, and total prehospital intervals) and stroke/TIA emergency call volume. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses included location and stroke/TIA diagnosis. Two authors assessed study quality using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute tool. We worked with patient and public involvement contributors and clinical and policy stakeholders throughout the review. RESULTS Of 4,083 studies identified, 52 unique articles met the inclusion criteria. Mean response interval (-1.29 min [-2.19 to -0.38]) and mean total prehospital interval (-6.42 min [-10.60 to -2.25]) were shorter in the pre-COVID-19 period, compared to the COVID-19 period. Furthermore, there was a higher incidence rate of emergency call volume for suspected stroke/TIA per day pre-COVID-19 compared with the COVID-19 period (log IRR = 0.17 [0.02 to 0.33]). Ambulance response interval definitions and terminology varied between regions and countries. CONCLUSIONS Our review indicates that prehospital delays for suspected stroke/TIA increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, emergency call volume for suspected stroke/TIA decreased during this period. In order to minimize delays in future pandemics or other health care emergencies future research may involve understanding the potential reasons for these delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edel Burton
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork City, Cork, Ireland
| | - Johnny Aladkhen
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork City, Cork, Ireland
| | - Cathal O'Donnell
- National Ambulance Service, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Siobhán Masterson
- National Ambulance Service, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of General Practice, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Áine Merwick
- Department of Neurology, Cork University Hospital, Cork City, Cork, Ireland
| | - Vera Jc McCarthy
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Cork City, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patricia M Kearney
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork City, Cork, Ireland
| | - Claire M Buckley
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork City, Cork, Ireland
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Grad DA, Chereches RM, Strilciuc S, Muresanu D. Scars of stroke care emerge as COVID-19 shifts to an endemic in many countries. J Med Life 2022; 15:589-591. [PMID: 35815080 PMCID: PMC9262269 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2022-1005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Alecsandra Grad
- RoNeuro Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Department of Public Health, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Razvan Mircea Chereches
- RoNeuro Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Department of Public Health, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Stefan Strilciuc
- RoNeuro Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Department of Public Health, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Department of Neurosciences, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dafin Muresanu
- RoNeuro Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania,Department of Neurosciences, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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