Effect of prior medical treatments on ischemic stroke severity and outcome

Antiplatelets, antihypertensives, and statins might reduce the severity of the event or improve outcome in patients who, despite prior medical treatment, have a stroke. We evaluated, in patients who had an ischemic stroke, the effect, on stroke severity and outcome, of prior treatment with antiplatelets, antihypertensives, and statins, used either alone or in a three-drug combination. Stroke in Italy and Related Impact on Outcome (SIRIO) was a prospective, nationwide, multicenter, hospital-based, observational study that included patients aged.18 years with acute ischemic stroke. We studied 2,529 acute ischemic stroke patients from the SIRIO population: 887 were antiplatelet users, 1,497 antihypertensive users, 231 statin users, and 138 three-drug combination users prior to the index event. The adjusted logistic regression analysis showed an association between prior treatment with statins and good functional outcome at discharge, while prior treatment with antiplatelets, antihypertensives or the three-drug combination did not influence severity or outcome. The absolute probability of a good functional outcome was 46.3% (95% CI: 40.3%-53.2%) in statin users and 36.7% (95% CI: 34.7%-38.7%) in non-users of statins; the absolute risk difference was 9.6% (95% CI: 2.9%-16.4%; p=0.004). Prior treatment with antiplatelets, antihypertensives, or the three-drug combination did not influence stroke severity or outcome, while prior treatment with statins did not influence stroke severity but was associated with a better functional outcome.     

Hormone replacement therapy and ischemic stroke severity in women: a case-control study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether ischemic stroke severity differed among women who were receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as compared with those who were not receiving these drugs. BACKGROUND: Estrogen has a neuroprotective effect in animal models of ischemic stroke, but data reflecting the impact of HRT on ischemic stroke severity in humans are lacking. METHODS: All women receiving HRT at the time of admission for acute ischemic stroke to an academic medical center over 3 years were identified by medical record review (n = 58). HRT users were matched with 116 HRT nonusers by age and number of stroke risk factors. Stroke severity was assessed retrospectively with the Canadian Neurological SCALE: Data were analyzed with nonparametric univariate tests (Spearman rank and chi(2) tests) and linear regression modeling using nonparametric matched-pair analysis. RESULTS: History of congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease (p = 0.01), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.02), and African American race (p = 0.04), were significantly associated with greater stroke severity in the univariate analysis. There was a nonsignificant trend toward lesser stroke severity in HRT users (median Canadian Neurological Scale score, 10, vs 9.5 in non-HRT users, p = 0.08). Multivariate analysis showed no independent effect of HRT use on stroke severity (F = 1.24, p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant effect of HRT status on stroke severity. Because this was a retrospective analysis, prospective studies are also needed to further elucidate any potential neuroprotective effect of hormone replacement.     

Screening for myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke: a population-based study

Studies that accurately identify myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke within populations would provide valuable epidemiological information as well as data on vascular disease prevention. We performed a pilot study to assess the feasibility of adding MI surveillance to an ongoing population-based stroke surveillance study, the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project. We also tested two screening methods for MI ascertainment: discharge International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes and cardiac biomarker screening. This pilot study suggests that the addition of MI surveillance to community-based stroke surveillance studies is feasible. Screening for abnormal cardiac biomarkers to identify potential MI cases may be more accurate and efficient than using ICD-9 codes.     

Predictors of outcome in perinatal arterial stroke: a population-based study

Some infants with perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAS) experience development of cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy, and cognitive impairment, whereas others have a normal outcome. Previous prognostic studies rarely have included all diagnosed cases of PAS within a population. Among 199,176 infants born within Kaiser Permanente from 1997 to 2002, we electronically identified head imaging reports and physician diagnoses suggesting stroke. The diagnosis of PAS was confirmed by review of brain imaging and medical records. Presentation of PAS was considered delayed if symptoms were only noted after 28 days. Outcomes were determined by chart review. Of 40 infants with PAS, 36 were observed over 12 months. Abnormal outcomes included CP (58%), epilepsy (39%), language delay (25%), and behavioral abnormalities (22%). A delayed presentation was associated with increased risk for CP (relative risk [RR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.2). Radiological predictors of CP included large stroke size (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.2) and injury to Broca's area (RR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0), internal capsule (RR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.4), Wernicke's area (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.8), or basal ganglia (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.3). Among infants with PAS, specific radiological findings and a lack of symptoms in the newborn period are associated with increased risk for CP.     

免疫炎症因子及低FT3对青年急性缺血性脑卒中患者卒中严重程度及短期预后的影响

目的确定青年急性缺血性卒中(AIS)患者的卒中严重程度及短期预后的独立预测因子。方法收集2013年4月至2015年6月确诊为AIS的青年患者325例。根据入院NIHSS评分分为轻型卒中组和重型卒中组;根据卒中后第14天的改良Rankin评分(mRS)分为预后良好组及预后不良组;比较各组基线资料及实验室结果。结果重型卒中组中白细胞、球蛋白、血糖和纤维蛋白原(Fib)水平高于轻型卒中组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);白蛋白、白蛋白/球蛋白(A/G)比值和游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)水平低于轻型卒中组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。回归分析表明,高白细胞(≥7.1×10~9/L)和低FT3(4.09 pmol/L)水平是重型卒中的独立预测因子。短期预后不良组白细胞、球蛋白、血糖、Fib水平、入院NIHSS评分和住院时间均高于预后良好组;白蛋白、FT3和A/G比值水平低于预后良好组。回归分析表明,高白细胞(≥7.1×109/L)、低A/G比值(1.56)和低FT3(4.09 pmol/L)水平是短期预后不良的独立预测因子。结论在青年AIS患者中,较高的白细胞水平及较低的FT3水平是重型卒中的独立预测因子,而较高的白细胞水平及较低的FT3水平、A/G比值是短期预后不良的独立预测因子。     

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol values and outcome of stroke patients: influence of previous aspirin therapy

ABSTRACT

Background: The link between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and stroke risk remains controversial and few studies have evaluated the effect of LDL-C after stroke survival.

Aims: We assessed the hypothesis proposing the effect of LDL-C on the outcome of stroke patients under the influence of previous Aspirin Therapy.

Methods: Associations between LDL-C and outcomes. The effect of LDL cholesterol on stoke outcome was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier methodology, log-rank test, Cox proportional hazard models and Bootstrap Analysis.

Results: In a cohort of 342 cases, we observed that among stroke patients with no record of previous aspirin therapy LDL-C levels within recommended range (nLDL-C) are associated to a poor overall survival on (p < 0.001, log-rank test) leading to a 4-fold increased mortality risk in both timeframes of 12 (HR 4.45, 95% CI 1.55–12.71; p = 0.004) or 24 months (HR 4.13, 95%CI 1.62–10.50;p = 0.003) after the first event of stroke. Moreover, modelling the risk of a second event after the first stroke in the timeframe of 24 months demonstrated a predictive capacity for nLDL-C plasmatic levels (HR 3.94, 95%CI 1.55–10.05; p = 0.004) confirmed by Bootstrap analysis (p = 0.003; 1000 replications). In a further step, the inclusion of LDL-C in simulating models equations to predict the risk of a second event in the timeframe of 12 months increased nearly 20% the predictive ability (c-index from 0.763 to 0.956).

Conclusion: A worse outcome was seen in stroke patients with normal levels of LDLC, but this finding was restricted to patients not under previous aspirin therapy.     

Case-control study of completed ischemic stroke in the Parsis of Bombay: a population-based study

All eligible adult cases of completed ischemic stroke (N = 112) derived from a prevalence survey of the Parsi community in Bombay, India, served as the basis of a case-control study of risk factors. The stroke morbidity rate in this group was similar to that reported for North America. A control subject free of stroke was selected randomly from the same population and matched to each case by age and sex. Information was obtained on various risk factors. Hypertension, both by history (odds ratio = 10.8) and by examination (odds ratio = 2.1), had a statistically significant association with stroke (p less than 0.01). This is one of the first community-based case-control studies of stroke in a large developing country.     

Use of nursing home after stroke and dependence on stroke severity: a population-based analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are few population-based data available regarding nursing home use after stroke. This study clarifies the use of a nursing home after stroke, as well as its dependence on stroke severity, in a defined population. METHODS: All first stroke events among residents of Rochester, Minn, during 1987-1989 were ascertained, subtyped, and assigned Rankin disability scores (RS) before the event, at maximal deficit, and at specified intervals after stroke. Persons were followed from the date of stroke event to death, emigration from Rochester, or December 31, 1994, in complete community-based medical records and Minnesota Case Mix Review Program data tapes to determine nursing home residency before stroke and at 90 days and 1 year after stroke, proportion of survival days in a nursing home, and cumulative risk of admission to a nursing home. RESULTS: There were 251 cases of first cerebral infarction, 24 intracerebral hemorrhages, and 15 subarachnoid hemorrhages among residents of Rochester during 1987-1989. The maximal deficit RS was 1 or 2 for 62 (25%), RS 3 for 72 (29%), and RS 4 or 5 for 117 (47%) of the cerebral infarct patients. Among patients surviving to 90 days or 1 year after cerebral infarction, 25% were in nursing home at 90 days and 22% at 1 year, respectively. Within these maximal deficit RS categories, the percentages of follow-up time spent in a nursing home during the first post-cerebral infarction year are as follows: RS 1 to 2, 4%; RS 3, 10%; and RS 4 to 5, 54%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that increasing age and RS 4 to 5 at maximal deficit were independent predictors (P<0.0001) of nursing home residency at 90 days and 1 year after stroke, whereas stroke type was not an independent predictor. At 1 year after cerebral infarction, the Kaplan-Meier estimates of proportion of people with at least 1 nursing home admission were 11% for RS 1 to 2, 22% for RS 3, and 68% for RS 4 to 5. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides unique population-based data regarding the short- and long-term use of a nursing home after stroke and its dependence on stroke severity. More than 50% of people with a severe cerebral infarction are in a nursing home 90 days and 1 year after the stroke, and by 1 year, nearly 70% will have required some nursing home stay. Age and stroke severity are independent predictors of nursing home residency after stroke.     

Incidence rates of first-ever ischemic stroke subtypes among blacks: a population-based study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rates of ischemic stroke subtypes among blacks. METHODS: Hospitalized and autopsied cases of stroke and transient ischemic attack among the 187 000 blacks in the 5-county region of greater Cincinnati/northern Kentucky From January 1, 1993, through June 30, 1993, were identified. Incidence rates were age- and sex-adjusted to the 1990 US population. Subtype classification was performed after extensive review of all available imaging, laboratory data, clinical information, and past medical history. Case-control comparisons of risk factors were made with age-, race-, and sex-matched control subjects. RESULTS: Annual incidence rates per 100 000 for first-ever ischemic stroke subtypes among blacks were as follows: uncertain cause, 103 (95% confidence interval [CI], 80 to 126); cardioembolic, 56 (95% CI, 40 to 73); small-vessel infarct, 52 (95% CI, 36 to 68); large vessel, 17 (95% CI, 8 to 26); and other causes, 17 (95% CI, 9 to 26). Of the patients diagnosed with an infarct of uncertain cause, 31% underwent echocardiography, 45% underwent carotid ultrasound, and 48% had neither. Compared with age-, race-, and sex- (proportionally) matched control subjects from the greater Cincinnati/northern Kentucky region, the attributable risk of hypertension for all causes of first-ever ischemic stroke is 27% (95% CI, 7 to 43); for diabetes, 21% (95% CI, 11 to 29); and for coronary artery disease, 9% (95% CI, 2 to 16). For small-vessel ischemic stroke, the attributable risk of hypertension is 68% (95% CI, 31 to 85; odds ratio [OR], 5.0), and the attributable risk of diabetes is 30% (95% CI, 10 to 45; OR, 4.4). For cardioembolic stroke, the attributable risk of diabetes is 25% (95% CI, 4 to 41; OR, 3.1). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke of uncertain cause is the most common subtype of ischemic stroke among blacks. Cardioembolic stroke and small-vessel stroke are the most important, identifiable causes of first-ever ischemic stroke among blacks. The incidence rates of cardioembolic and large-vessel stroke are likely underestimated because noninvasive testing of the carotid arteries and echocardiography were not consistently obtained in stroke patients at the 18 regional hospitals. Most small-vessel strokes in blacks can be attributed to hypertension and diabetes.     

Multiple modifiable risk factors for first ischemic stroke: a population-based epidemiological study

The aims of this epidemiological population-based cohort study were to examine the prevalence of the multiple modifiable vascular risk factors, their distribution patterns and outcomes among a Bulgarian urban population. A total of 500 volunteers, 200 men and 300 women, without clinical signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease, aged 50-79 years, were enrolled in the study. A structured questionnaire, physical examination, electrocardiogram records, a battery of laboratory tests and carotid duplex scanning were employed. Three or more modifiable vascular risk factors were detected in 52% (260/500) of the subjects. Dyslipidemias, hypertension, obesity, cigarette smoking and cardiac diseases were found to be the most prevalent single risk factors. Asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) of 50% or greater was detected in 8.8% (23/260) of the volunteers examined. After a 2-year follow-up, 2.7% (7/260) of the persons with modifiable vascular risk factors reached the end point transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. The following combinations of risk factors among the subjects enrolled in the study were significantly associated with these outcomes: hypertension and cardiac diseases (OR = 6.82; 95% CI, 1.21-38.41), cardiac diseases and obesity (OR = 6.13; 95% CI, 1.27-29.72), ACS and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (OR = 11.11; 95% CI, 1.58-78.29). The identification of subjects with multiple vascular risk factors may be important for primary medical or surgical stroke prevention.