[Relationship between level of education and one-year survival after ischaemic stroke]

The relationship between socioeconomic status and incidence or stroke mortality rates is well established. The evidence of an association between this variable and survival is less conclusive. Level of education is a widely-used measure of socioeconomic status in elderly people.

To assess the relationship between one-year survival after stroke and level of education.

We analysed data on 544 consecutively recruited patients admitted for acute ischaemic stroke in one the public hospitals of Bizkaia (Spain). Data were obtained through interviews with patients or accompanying persons and from medical records. We studied variables concerning previous functional status, stroke severity, cardiovascular risk factors and stroke care provided. Patients were followed up for 12 months and the dates of any deaths were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between level of education and survival.

A total of 203 (86%) women and 273 (88.6%) men were alive at 12 months. In both sexes, individuals with a lower level of education had poorer previous functional status, more severe strokes and higher mortality rates. In the multivariate analysis, the association between level of education and survival remained significant in the adjusted model in men.

In our setting, there are differences in the survival of patients with ischaemic stroke as a function of level of education. The impact of this factor was greater in men than women.