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Published on: May 22, 2019
[Risk factors for death after a first-ever stroke]
Insights
First-ever stroke patients aged older, with impaired consciousness or incontinence, face higher death risks within one year. Age, consciousness, and incontinence are key predictors of stroke mortality.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide.
- Understanding risk factors for post-stroke mortality is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
- This study focuses on a specific European population (Kaunas) to identify key predictors of one-year mortality after a first-ever stroke.
Purpose:
- To identify independent risk factors for death within one year following a first-ever stroke.
- To quantify the association between identified risk factors and mortality.
- To provide data for targeted interventions and improved stroke care strategies.
Summary:
- A cohort of 331 first-ever stroke patients in Kaunas (1997-1998) were followed for one year.
- Cox regression analysis revealed age at onset, impaired consciousness, and incontinence as independent predictors of one-year mortality.
- Each year of increased age elevated death risk by 4%; impaired consciousness (RR=2.76) and incontinence (RR=3.56) significantly increased mortality risk.
Impact:
- Identifies critical factors (age, consciousness, incontinence) influencing survival post-stroke.
- Highlights the need for early assessment and management of these factors in stroke patients.
- Informs public health initiatives and clinical practice guidelines for stroke care, potentially reducing preventable deaths.
Abstract:
An aim of the present study is to evaluate the risk factors for death after a first-ever stroke within one year after stroke onset in the Kaunas population. The patient's group consisted of 331 men and women with a first-ever stroke who were treated in two Kaunas hospitals during 1997-1998. The data were collected using a "hot pursuit" approach. The methods used were those applied for the EC BIOMED-2 study. All stroke patients were followed up for one year. The end-point of the present study was death due to any cause. The relative risk estimates were based on the Cox model. Age at disease onset, impaired consciousness and incontinence were the only independent predictors of death during the first 12 months after a first-ever stroke. An increase of the patient's age by one year increased the risk of death by 4%. The impaired consciousness was associated with a 3-fold (relative risk (RR) = 2.76; p = 0.004) and incontinence with a 4-fold (RR = 3.56; p < 0.0001) risk of death during the first year after initial stroke. In addition to the factors relating to the severity of stroke, only age was a predictor of a poor outcome after a first-ever stroke.
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