The Relationship of Modified Rankin Score and Risk Factors with Stroke Mortality in the South Dakota Native American...

To describe the impact of multiple risk factors on stroke outcomes among Native Americans in South Dakota.

This is a retrospective chart review of 189 Native American patients treated for stroke in South Dakota between Jan. 1, 2016, to May 1, 2021 at a single hospital system.

Risk factor prevalence in the population: hypertension (76.1%), smoking (74.2%), diabetes mellitus (56.8%), dyslipidemia (55.4%), alcohol use (43.7%), cardiac or vascular disease (39.7%), stroke history (26.4%), and atrial fibrillation (13.3%). There was no significant difference between admission and 90-day post-discharge modified Rankin scale scores in all patients. Five risk factors were significantly associated with death: older age, hemorrhagic stroke, female sex, atrial fibrillation, and cardiac/vascular disease.

These results align with previous studies that concluded many stroke risk factors are more prevalent among Native Americans in comparison to other racial/ethnic groups. Therefore, it remains an imperative public health initiative that efforts be made to improve preventative measures which address comorbid conditions and behaviors in Native American populations to reduce risk for stroke with subsequent related disability or death.