Ethnic differences in characteristics and outcome of acute ischemic stroke in China: A single center experience

This study aimed to explore ethnic differences of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in patients' characteristics, management and outcome in Chinese population in an institutional retrospective study.

Data of consecutive patients with AIS treated at our center from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Ethnic differences in demographics, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated.

A total of 400 patients were included in the present analysis. Compared with Han patients, patients in ethnic group showed shorter interval between symptom onset and admission, lower baseline Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, lower prevalence of diabetes, higher prevalence of medical history of anticoagulation or antiplatelet treatment, lower rates of partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI), lacunar infarct (LACI) and posterior circulation infarct (POCI). They were less likely to receive antiplatelet therapy and more likely to present higher risks of pulmonary infection. Furthermore, multivariable analysis revealed that the ethnic group was associated with unfavorable outcomes in AIS patients at discharge. In subgroup analysis after adjustment, only pulmonary infection remained an independent predictor of poor outcomes at discharge in ethnic group, while in Han group, baseline GCS score, total anterior circulation infarct (TACI), LACI and pulmonary infection were determined to be independent predictors of poor outcomes at discharge.

Patients from ethnic minority groups presented distinctive characteristics in their baseline measurements, background cerebrovascular risk factors, treatment after admission, risk of in-hospital complications compared with Han patients. The ethnic difference of the AIS appeared to affect the neurological outcome.