Use of medications for secondary prevention in stroke patients at hospital discharge in Australia

The link between Alzheimer's disease and stroke: A detrimental synergism

Being age-related disorders, both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and stroke share multiple risk factors, such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) Ɛ4 genotype, and coexist in patients. Accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangled impair cognitive potential, leading to AD. Blocked blood flow in the neuronal tissues, causes neurodegeneration and cell death in stroke. AD is commonly characterized by cerebral amyloid angiopathy, which significantly elevates the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Patients with AD and stroke have been both reported to exhibit greater cognitive impairment, followed by multiple pathophysiological mechanisms shared between the two. The manuscript aims to elucidate the relationship between AD and stroke, as well as the common pathways and risk factors while understanding the preventive therapies that might limit the negative impacts of this correlation, with diagnostic modalities and current AD treatments. The authors provide a comprehensive review of the link and aid the healthcare professionals to identify suitable targets and risk factors, that may retard cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in patients. However, more intricate research is required in this regard and an interdisciplinary approach that would target both the vascular and neurodegenerative factors would improve the quality of life in AD patients.

Evaluation of Physicians' Compliance With Secondary Prevention Among Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Globally, stroke affects 13.7 million individuals every year. Several studies have shown an increase in the rehospitalization rate among stroke patients caused by non-adherence to secondary prevention as recommended by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) guideline. The aim of this study was to evaluate physicians' compliance with secondary prevention of stroke upon patients' discharge.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review study was conducted at King Fahad Medical City. The primary outcome of this study was the number of patients discharged with the recommended medications for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke (IS). The data were collected from the patient's medical record files and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

RESULTS

Of the 675 patients who were screened for eligibility, 507 were included and 168 were excluded. The mean age of the patients was 59.5 (± 15.6) years. Of the 507 patients, 181 (35.7%) had a history of previous stroke. Overall, 376 (74%) stroke patients were discharged with appropriate secondary prevention recommendation per AHA/ASA guideline.

CONCLUSIONS

This study stresses the importance of compliance with the AHA/ASA guideline for secondary stroke prevention and highlights the role of pharmacists in the stroke unit in which it is necessary to ensure that all stroke patients are discharged with the recommended medications to reduce recurrent stroke.

Secondary Stroke Prevention After Ischemic Stroke in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Disorders

Background:

Recurrent ischemic stroke (IS) increases the risk of cognitive decline. To lower the risk of recurrent IS, secondary prevention is essential.

Objective:

Our aim was to compare post-discharge secondary IS prevention and its maintenance up to 3 years after first IS in patients with and without Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia disorders.

Methods:

Prospective open-cohort study 2007–2014 from the Swedish national dementia registry (SveDem) and the Swedish national stroke registry (Riksstroke). Patients with dementia who experienced an IS (n = 1410; 332 [23.5%] with Alzheimer’s disease) were compared with matched non-dementia IS patients (n = 7150). We analyzed antiplatelet, anticoagulant, blood pressure lowering, and statin treatment as planned medication initiation at discharge and actual dispensation of medications at first, second, and third year post-stroke.

Results:

At discharge, planned initiation of medication was higher in patients with dementia compared to non-dementia patients for antiplatelets (OR with 95% CI for fully adjusted models 1.23 [1.02–1.48]) and lower for blood pressure lowering medication (BPLM; 0.57 [0.49–0.67]), statins (0.57 [0.50–0.66]), and anticoagulants (in patients with atrial fibrillation – AF; 0.41 [0.32–0.53]). When analysis for antiplatelets was stratified according to the presence of AF, ORs for receiving antiplatelets remained significant only in the presence of AF (in the presence of AF 1.56 [1.21–2.01], in patients without AF 0.99 [0.75–1.33]). Similar trends were observed in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year post-stroke.

Conclusions:

Dementia was a predictor of lower statin and BPLM use. Patients with dementia and AF were more likely to be prescribed antiplatelets and less likely to receive anticoagulants.

Temporal Trends and Patient Characteristics Associated With Drug Utilisation After First-Ever Stroke: Insights From Chronic Disease Registry Data in Singapore

Introduction: Data on drug utilisation among stroke patients of Asian ethnicities are lacking. The objectives of the study were to examine the temporal trends and patient characteristics associated with prescription of thrombolytic, antithrombotic and statin medications among patients with first-ever stroke. Materials and Methods: First-ever ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients admitted to 2 Singapore tertiary hospitals between 2010‒2014 were included. Data were extracted from the National Healthcare Group Chronic Disease Management System. Association between drug utilisation and admission year, as well as characteristics associated with drug use, were explored using multivariable logistic regression. Results: There was an increasing trend in the combined use of all 3 guideline medications in ischaemic stroke patients (P<0.001) ―specifically thrombolytic agents (P <0.001), oral antithrombotics (P = 0.002) and statins (P = 0.003) at discharge. Among antithrombotics, the use of clopidogrel (P <0.001) and aspirinclopidogrel (P <0.001) had increased, whereas prescription of dipyridamole (P <0.001) and aspirin-dipyridamole (P <0.001) had declined. For statins, the increase in atorvastatin prescription (P <0.001) was accompanied by decreasing use of simvastatin (P <0.001). Age, ethnicity and certain comorbidities (hyperlipidaemia, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease) were associated with the combined use of all 3 guideline medications (P <0.05). In haemorrhagic stroke, prescription of statins at discharge were comparatively lower. Conclusion: This study reveals changes in prescription behaviour over time in a multiethnic Asian population with first-ever stroke. Patient characteristics including younger age, Malay ethnicity and certain comorbidities (i.e. hyperlipidaemia, atrial fibrillation) were associated with the combined use of all 3 guideline medications among ischaemic stroke patients. Key words: Antithrombotics, Asian, Statins, Thrombolytic agents

Disparities in Antihypertensive Prescribing After Stroke

Background and Purpose—

Despite evidence to support the prescription of antihypertensive medications before hospital discharge to promote medication adherence and prevent recurrent events, many patients with stroke miss out on these medications at discharge. We aimed to examine patient, clinical, and system-level differences in the prescription of antihypertensive medications at hospital discharge after stroke.

Methods—

Adults with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage alive at discharge were included (years 2009–2013) from 39 hospitals participating in the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry. Patient comorbidities were identified using the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (Tenth Edition, Australian Modification ) codes from the hospital admissions and emergency presentation data. The outcome variable and other system factors were derived from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry dataset. Multivariable, multilevel logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with the prescription of antihypertensive medications at hospital discharge.

Results—

Of the 10 315 patients included, 79.0% (intracerebral hemorrhage, 74.1%; acute ischemic stroke, 79.8%) were prescribed antihypertensive medications at discharge. Prescription varied between hospital sites, with 6 sites >2 SDs below the national average for provision of antihypertensives at discharge. Prescription was also independently associated with patient and clinical factors including history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, management in an acute stroke unit, and discharge to rehabilitation. In patients with acute ischemic stroke, females (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76–0.94), those who had greater stroke severity (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% CI 0.72–0.92), or dementia (odds ratio, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52–0.81) were less likely to be prescribed.

Conclusions—

Prescription of antihypertensive medications poststroke varies between hospitals and according to patient factors including age, sex, stroke severity, and comorbidity profile. Implementation of targeted quality improvement initiatives at local hospitals may help to reduce the variation in prescription observed.

Temporal Trends and Predictors of Drug Utilization and Outcomes in First-Ever Stroke Patients: A Population-Based Study Using the Singapore Stroke Registry

INTRODUCTION

Drug utilization and outcomes research in multi-ethnic Asian stroke populations is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to examine temporal trends and predictors of drug utilization and outcomes in a multi-ethnic Asian stroke population.

METHODS

This registry-based study included ischemic and hemorrhagic first-ever stroke patients hospitalized between 2009 and 2016. Utilization of medications included in-hospital thrombolytic agents, early antithrombotics (antiplatelets, anticoagulants) within 48 h of admission, and antithrombotics and statins at discharge. Outcomes analyzed were in-hospital all-cause mortality; 28-day, 90-day, and 1-year case fatality (CF); and discharge destination.

RESULTS

Of the 36,615 included patients, 81.6% had ischemic stroke and 18.4% had hemorrhagic stroke (15.5% intracerebral hemorrhage [ICH] and 2.8% subarachnoid hemorrhage [SAH]). For ischemic stroke, the combined use of all three guideline medications (in-hospital thrombolytic therapy, as well as antithrombotics and statins at discharge) increased (P = 0.006). Being on the stroke pathway was associated with prescription of all three guideline medications in ischemic stroke. Decreasing trends for in-hospital mortality, 28-day, 90-day, and 1-year CF and proportion of patients discharged home without rehabilitation appointment were observed in ischemic stroke (P < 0.05) but not in ICH or SAH (apart from 28-day CF). Ischemic stroke patients who received guideline medications were less likely to die or be discharged to nursing homes and chronic sick hospitals. Hemorrhagic stroke patients prescribed statins at discharge were less likely to have 28-day and 1-year CF.

CONCLUSIONS

Prescription of secondary stroke preventive medications (particularly in ischemic stroke) was associated with more favorable outcomes, highlighting the importance of physician adherence to evidence-based pharmacotherapy.

Statin use and high-dose statin use after ischemic stroke in the UK: a retrospective cohort study

Background: Trial evidence supports statin use after ischemic stroke and recent American, European and British guidelines recommend high-intensity statins for this indication. Limited data are available describing current statin use among these patients in unselected settings. We conducted a cohort study to examine secular trends and factors associated with statin use and dose following ischemic stroke. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with first ischemic stroke between 2000 and 2014 was conducted using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). Proportions of statin users and high-intensity statin users within 2 years after stroke were estimated for each calendar year. We used Cox regression models to explore potential factors associated with statin use and Poisson regression models to calculate risk ratios for the use of a high-intensity statin. Results: A total of 80,442 patients with first stroke were analyzed. The proportion using statins within 2 years after stroke increased from 25% in 2000 to 70% in 2006 and remained at about 75% through 2014. Among post-stroke statin users, high-intensity use accounted for approximately 15% between 2004 and 2011 and then increased to almost 35% in 2014. Older patients (aged ≥75 years), younger patients (<45 years), patients with no prior statin treatment, dementia, underweight, or absence of cardiovascular factors (coronary heart disease, smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, or transient ischemic attack) were less likely to use statins and less likely to receive a high-intensity statin. Conclusion: There has been an increase over time in both statin use and dose, but many patients with ischemic stroke continue to be under-treated. Clinical trials and policy interventions to improve appropriate post-stroke statin use should focus on younger and older patients, patients with no pre-stroke statin treatment, and patients without additional cardiovascular risk factors.

The potential health and economic impact of improving stroke care standards for Australia

Background

Evidence of the burden of suboptimal stroke care should expedite quality improvement. We aimed to estimate the health and economic impact of improving acute stroke management to best practice standards using Australia as a case study.

Methods

Hospital performance in Australia was estimated using data from the National Stroke Audit of Acute Services 2013. The percentage of patients provided evidence-based therapies in all hospitals was compared to that achieved in the aggregate of top performing benchmark hospitals (that included between them, a minimum contribution of 15% of all cases audited). The number of additional patients who would receive therapies if this performance gap was rectified was applied to a standardized economic simulation model that comprised stroke rates and resource-use estimates from the North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study applied to the 2013 Australian population.

Results

In 2013, 41,398 patients were estimated to have been hospitalized with stroke. If acute care was improved to that of Australian benchmarks, there would be an additional 15,317 patients accessing stroke units; 1960 receiving thrombolysis; and 4007 being treated with antihypertensive medication, 3082 with antiplatelet medication, 2179 with anticoagulant medication, and 3514 with lipid-lowering therapy. Approximately 9329 disability-adjusted life years could be avoided. This additional care provided would be cost effective at AUD 3304 per disability adjusted life year avoided.

Conclusion

The benefits of reducing evidence–practice gaps in Australia are considerable. Further investment in initiatives to optimize hospital care is justified.

Secondary CV Prevention in South America in a Community Setting: The PURE Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of evidence-based therapies, there is no information on the use of medications for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in urban and rural community settings in South America.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess the use, and its predictors, of effective secondary prevention therapies in individuals with a history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke.

METHODS

In the PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological) study, we enrolled 24,713 individuals from South America ages 35 to 70 years from 97 rural and urban communities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. We assessed the use of proven therapies with standardized questionnaires. We report estimates of drug use at national, community, and individual levels and the independent predictors of their utilization through a multivariable analysis model.

RESULTS

Of 24,713 individuals, 910 had a self-reported CHD event (at a median of 5 years earlier) and 407 had stroke (6 years earlier). The proportions of individuals with CHD who received antiplatelet medications (30.1%), beta-blockers (34.2%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin-receptor blockers (36.0%), or statins (18.0%) were low; with even lower proportions among stroke patients (antiplatelets 24.3%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers 37.6%, statins 9.8%). A substantial proportion of patients did not receive any proven therapy (CHD 31%, stroke 54%). A minority of patients received either all 4 (4.1%) or 3 proven therapies (3.3%). Male sex, age >60 years, better education, more wealth, urban location, diabetes, and obesity were associated with higher rates of medication use. In a multivariable model, markers of wealth had the largest impact in secondary prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

There are large gaps in the use of proven medications for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in South America. Strategies to improve the sustained use of these medications will likely reduce cardiovascular disease burden substantially.

Medicines taken by older Australians after transient ischaemic attack or ischaemic stroke: a retrospective database study

BACKGROUND

Guidelines recommend patients diagnosed with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or ischaemic stroke receive antihypertensive, antithrombotic and lipid lowering medicines. Reassessment of the need for medicines associated with an increased risk of stroke is also recommended.

OBJECTIVE

To determine changes in the use of medicines recommended for secondary stroke prevention, medicines commonly used for treating stroke-related complications and medicines not recommended for use after ischaemic stroke, and to determine patient characteristics associated with use of all three stroke prevention medicines after TIA or ischaemic stroke. Setting Administrative health claims data from the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs.

METHOD

This retrospective study included patients with a first-ever hospitalisation for TIA or ischaemic stroke in 2009 and alive at 4 months after discharge. Changes to medicines dispensed in the 4 months before and after hospitalisation were compared using McNemar's test. Log binomial regression analysis was used to determine patient characteristics associated with use of all three secondary stroke prevention medicines after hospitalisation for TIA or ischaemic stroke.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Prevalence of medicine use after hospitalisation.

RESULTS

1541 patients (853 TIA, 688 ischaemic stroke) were included, with a median age of 85 years. High use of antihypertensive (82% TIA, 86 % ischaemic stroke) and antithrombotic (84% TIA, 90% ischaemic stroke) medicines was observed postdischarge, with 58% of TIA and 73% of ischaemic stroke patients receiving lipid lowering therapy. Half of the population (47% TIA, 61% ischaemic stroke) were dispensed all three classes of medicines recommended for secondary stroke prevention after discharge. Ischaemic stroke patients, younger patients, patients with more comorbid conditions and those discharged home were more likely to receive all three recommended medicine classes. Antibiotics (45% TIA, 46% ischaemic stroke), paracetamol (44% TIA, 47% ischaemic stroke), antidepressants (26% TIA, 31% ischaemic stroke) and laxatives (24% TIA, 32% ischaemic stroke) were commonly used after discharge. Increased use of sedatives and reduced use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories was also observed after discharge.

CONCLUSION

Changes to pharmacotherapy after TIA or ischaemic stroke were consistent with treatment for stroke risk factors and common stroke-related complications. Use of secondary stroke prevention medicines may be further improved among TIA patients.