Determinants of Case Fatality After Hospitalization for Stroke in France 2010 to 2015

Background and Purpose- The aims of this study were to (1) describe early and late case fatality rates after stroke in France, (2) evaluate whether their determinants differed, and (3) analyze time trends between 2010 and 2015. Methods- Data were extracted from the Système National des données de santé database. Patients hospitalized for stroke each year from 2010 to 2015, aged ≥18 years, and affiliated to the general insurance scheme were selected. Cox regressions were used to separately analyze determinants of 30-day and 31- to 365-day case fatality rates for each stroke type (ischemic, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage). Results- In 2015, of the 73 124 persons hospitalized for stroke, 26.8% died in the following year, with the majority of deaths occurring within the first 30 days (56.9%). Nonadmission to a stroke unit, older age, and having comorbidities were all associated with a poorer 30-day and 31- to 365-day prognosis. Female sex was associated with a lower 31- to 365-day case fatality rate for all patients with stroke. Living in an area with a high deprivation index was associated with both higher 30-day and 31- to 365-day case fatality rates for all stroke types. Between 2010 and 2015, significant decreases in both 30-day and 31- to 365-day case fatality rates for ischemic patients were observed. Conclusions- Case fatality rates after stroke remained high in 2015 in France, despite major improvements in stroke care and organization. Improvement in stroke awareness and preparedness, particularly in the most deprived areas, together with better follow-up after the acute phase are urgently needed.